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Corduroy
Corduroy Makes a Cake
When Corduroy finds out that Lisa is having a birthday party, he decides to make her a very special cake. But instead of a cake, he makes a great big mess! Corduroy doesn't know what to do. Will he find another way to give Lisa a birthday surprise?
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
About the author
Don Freeman
294 books203 followersDon Freeman was a painter, printmaker, cartoonist, children's book author, and illustrator. He was born in San Diego, California, attended high school in Missouri, and later moved to New York City where he studied etching with John Sloan.
Frequent subjects included Broadway theatre, politics, and the circus. He was also a jazz musician, and the brother of circus entrepreneur Randy Freeman.
Frequent subjects included Broadway theatre, politics, and the circus. He was also a jazz musician, and the brother of circus entrepreneur Randy Freeman.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 17, 2013
In this short book, Corduroy decides to bake a cake for Lisa's birthday. The cake doesn't go so well, so Corduroy tries another route. The result is a birthday surprise for Lisa.
The author attempts to use tension to enhance the story, but it doesn't work well. The reader is supposed to worry, "will Corduroy get in trouble", or "what if he isn't found". The writing just isn't good enough to create the tension. More text, or different text might help.
Students of writing must know that tension should be carefully developed in order to enhance the story. If improperly use, it can detract from the quality of the writing.
The author attempts to use tension to enhance the story, but it doesn't work well. The reader is supposed to worry, "will Corduroy get in trouble", or "what if he isn't found". The writing just isn't good enough to create the tension. More text, or different text might help.
Students of writing must know that tension should be carefully developed in order to enhance the story. If improperly use, it can detract from the quality of the writing.
November 23, 2024
Corduroy's birthday surprise for Lisa did not turn out to be what he planned.
How hard could it be, making her a birthday cake?
The well-meaning bear finds out, he definitely finds out. My favorite part of the story is what I'll quote from Page 22:
Soon he forgot about the cake
and the mess.
He even forgot he felt terrible
until . . .
SO HUMAN
This messy predicament of Corduroy's isn't only about toddler life. Nor just a depiction of the daily travails of a Progressing Reader. Don Freeman brilliantly described a vignette that symbolizes the human condition for us all.
FIVE STARS of admiration.
How hard could it be, making her a birthday cake?
The well-meaning bear finds out, he definitely finds out. My favorite part of the story is what I'll quote from Page 22:
Soon he forgot about the cake
and the mess.
He even forgot he felt terrible
until . . .
SO HUMAN
This messy predicament of Corduroy's isn't only about toddler life. Nor just a depiction of the daily travails of a Progressing Reader. Don Freeman brilliantly described a vignette that symbolizes the human condition for us all.
FIVE STARS of admiration.
June 3, 2019
Part of what i love about the original Corduroy books are Don Freedman’s illustrations. I know he’s a beloved character but this was just such a disappointment.
Also I don’t like the changes to Lisa’s home. Not everyone needs to live in a single family house. I really appreciate reading the original book with my 2 year old child and seeing urban living.
Also I don’t like the changes to Lisa’s home. Not everyone needs to live in a single family house. I really appreciate reading the original book with my 2 year old child and seeing urban living.
July 8, 2020
I love Corduroy and had no idea there were more stories about this adorable bear! This book was so cute about how much effort and determination this little bear had to make a cake for his owner! Lovely story. Made me chuckle at some parts.
January 13, 2021
I like that other authors were given the go-ahead to develop further adventures for Corduroy. Joe is excited about that too. This is one of two learning-to-read Corduroy books we recently brought home. As you can imagine, a small bear attempting a cake doesn't exactly lead to perfect success. lol
March 14, 2023
So was kind of funny and corduroy first made a cake then he found a cake so he said oh I don't need to make a cake now that I found a cake and then he hid inside a box of the cake and then until Liza open the box corduroy was not in the house.
February 15, 2019
Something about Corduroy is so soothing to me. Probably nostalgia. 3/5 stars.
September 16, 2019
What a shyster. Cute enough story. Was good for asking questions to my little one - would this really be a good idea? Would Corduroy get in trouble from his mom?! (Yes, yes he would.)
August 21, 2017
In this adventure for Corduroy his 'human' Lisa tells him it's her birthday. So while she is away he tries to make a Corduroy cake for her. But in the mist of it all only made a mess. BUT while he was hiding from Lisa's mom feeling bad he made the mess, he found a cake box and decorated it he hid inside and Lisa's mom put him on the gift table. And in the end the true love Corduroy has for his human comes through!
February 1, 2018
A cute birthday story with Corduroy - a classic, lovable bear.
Reading Level: K - 3rd grades
Cleanliness: someones says "My goodness."
#birthday
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.
Reading Level: K - 3rd grades
Cleanliness: someones says "My goodness."
#birthday
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.
February 3, 2015
This one was cute and held their atttention
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews