In Don Freeman’s sequel to Corduroy, Lisa and her mother go to the Laundromat with Corduroy in tow. Corduroy observes as
Lisa’s mother reminds her to remove everything from her pockets so they aren’t accidentally put into the wash, and he realizes that he has no pockets at all. While no one is looking, he slips off his chair in
search of something to make a pocket from. During his search, he finds a
laundry bag that could possible contain what he is looking for, so he crawls inside. Meanwhile, Lisa discovers that her stuffed bear is missing and reluctantly leaves the Laundromat without him.
Can you guess where Corduroy ends up? Right! A man finds him in his wet laundry and removes his overalls, dries them, and replaces them before sitting the bear on a washing machine as the Laundromat closes for the night. Corduroy is left alone to discover something slippery and snow-like, called Swan Flakes. He tips over the box and ends up sliding in laundry flakes into an empty laundry basket where Lisa finds him safe and sound early the next morning. Interestingly, in this story, Corduroy is able to talk to Lisa, and he tells her of his search for a pocket. The reader surmises that either Corduroy remains “alive” in Lisa’s presence, or the story includes Lisa’s imaginary conversations with her stuffed bear as though they are real. Either way, Lisa discovers Corduroy’s reason for wondering away, and she sews a pocket for him.
Freeman’s illustrations are appealing and colorful, perfectly complementing this delightful story of a mischievous stuffed bear in green overalls. Fans of Corduroy will enjoy A Pocket for Corduroy, as well as other books by Don Freeman such as Norman the Doorman, Dandelion, and Bearymore.