"Corduroy" by Don Freeman - Activity, Snack, and Printable

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 Written by: Makinsey Ekman

The Book We Love

Corduroy is actually one of my husbands' favorite books from his younger days. He used to have a corduroy bear when he was little that he just loved to death. Sadly, there really isn't much left of the much loved toy.

I like that this book teaches children the importance of looking beyond outward appearances. I know that some of my best friends are people who may not be perfect on the outside but have hearts of gold. Thats what matters most, not what you are but who you are.

Get It Here: Amazon

The Activity We Did

"I didn't know I'd lost a button..."

"Corduroy" by Don Freeman

Find The Button

You Will Need:

How To Play:

Fill the pencil pouch with beads before adding the button and other times. Shake it up to mix everything together before zipping it closed. I also duck tape it closed so that my kids wont undo the zipper and spill everything out.

Once the pouch is filled go ahead and let your child either hold it and squish the contents around or lay it flat and poke through the clear window to find the one button.

(Adaptation): If you have multiple children instead of a pencil pouch you can fill a box with water beads and let the children hunt through them to find the one hidden button.

The Food We Ate

"And there he saw two fuzzy brown ears..."

"Corduroy" by Don Freeman

Bear Fluff

You Will Need:

  • 2 packets (or .5oz) of Gelatin
  • 3/4 cup cold water
  • 1 2/3 cup sugar (I use sugar in the raw)
  • 1/2 cup raw blue agave nectar
  • 1/2 cup Light Corn syrup
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Canola oil spray
  • Bear-shaped cookie cutter
  • Slipat-lined baking sheet
  • Whipped frosting (optional)

How To Make:

Mix gelatin into 1/2 cup cold water, and set aside to allow it to bloom. This will be heated later, so make sure the container you choose can be placed safely over simmering water (either held or free-standing).

In a saucepan add the sugar, agave nectar, corn syrup, remaining water, and salt. Turn on high heat, and stir constantly until the mixture begins to boil. Bring up to 252°F (about 4-5min.). Once this temperature is reached take the saucepan off the heat, and allow it to cool to 210°F.

While the syrup mixture is cooling, bring some water to a simmer. Place the container of gelatin over this water, and stir until fully dissolved. When the syrup is cooled, stir in gelatin and vanilla. With the whisk attachment on a stand mixer, bring to medium peak (using a hand mixer will take you about an eternity, trust me). Scrape marshmallow onto a silpat lined baking sheet, and spread out evenly. Allow to cool and set (preferably overnight).

When the marshmallow is fully set, take your bear-shaped cookie cutter and spray the canola oil all over it so that the "fluff" won't stick, and cut out your bear shapes. Add the frosting, or have the kiddos do it themselves to make their very own edible bears.

Other Fun Ideas

"Lisa sat down with Corduroy on the lap and began to sew a button on his overalls."

"Corduroy" by Don Freeman

Dress The Bear

You Will Need:

What To Do:

Cut out the bear in the printable and trace its outline onto a piece of cardboard (I used an old box). Take the bear off and cut out its shape in the cardboard. Glue the paper bear onto the cardboard so that it's less flimsy. Next cut out the accessories from the printable and have your child glue whichever ones they want to use on their bear. Lastly, use construction paper to make clothes for the bear. If your children are younger you can draw the shape they need to cut and then have them follow your lines. Once they've dressed up their bear and the glue has dried, they're ready to begin their own bear stories!

Other Activities:

Some other fun resources for the book, and other crafty ideas that we didn't do... yet.

  • Go to your local Build-a-Bear and have your kids create their very own toy!
  • Stuffy Hide-and-Seek: Take your child's 2 or 3 favorite stuffed animals and help them to hide around the house, then have your son or daughter hunt around for them. Because my kids are younger, when we do this I tell them they are getting warmer when they're closer to the toy and colder when they are too far away.
  • Help their old stuff animals to find a new home by having your kids host their own yard sale.

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