Don Freeman's classic character, Corduroy, is even more popular today then he was when he first came on the scene more than thirty-five years ago. Now his original story is available in an unabridged, sturdy board book format, perfect for even the youngest readers.
Don Freeman was born in San Diego, California, in 1908. At an early
age, he received a trumpet as a gift from his father. He practiced
obsessively and eventually joined a California dance band. After
graduating from high school, he ventured to New York City to study
art under the tutelage of Joan Sloan and Harry Wickey at the Art
Students' League. He managed to support himself throughout his
schooling by playing his trumpet evenings, in nightclubs and at
weddings.
Gradually, he eased into making a living sketching impressions of
Broadway shows for The New York Times and The Herald Tribune. This
shift was helped along, in no small part, by a rather heartbreaking
incident- he lost his trumpet. One evening, he was so engrossed in
sketching people on the subway, he simply forgot it was sitting on
the seat beside him. This new career turned out to be a
near-perfect fit for Don, though, as he had always loved the
theater.
He was introduced to the world of children's literature when
William Saroyan asked him to illustrate several books. Soon after,
he began to write and illustrate his own books, a career he settled
into comfortably and happily. Through his writing, he was able to
create his own theater- "I love the flow of turning the pages, the
suspense of what's next. Ideas just come at me and after me. It's
all so natural. I work all the time, long into the night, and it's
such a pleasure. I don't know when the time ends. I've never been
happier in my life!"
Don died in 1978, after a long and successful career. He created
many beloved characters in his lifetime, perhaps the most beloved
among them a stuffed, overall-wearing bear named Corduroy.
Don Freeman was the author and illustrator of many popular books
for children, including Corduroy, A Pocket for Corduroy, and the
Caldecott Honor Book Fly High, Fly Low.
Corduroy has donated more than three million dollars to a charity
helping children with severe illnesses, disabilities, or
traumas.
Corduroy hosted Jumpstart’s Read for the Record campaign, which
raised more than $1.5 million for early education programs. Two
million children and adults read the book on the same day.
Corduroy was one of the first books inducted into the Indies Choice
Book Awards Picture Book Hall of Fame.
The New York Public Library named Corduroy one of the 100 Great
Children's Books from the Last 100 Years.
The National Education Association named Corduroy one of the
Teachers’ Top 100 Books for Children.
School Library Journal named Corduroy one of the Top 100 Picture
Books for the 21st Century.
Corduroy’s creator, Don Freeman, received the Kerlan Award in
recognition of his singular attainments in the creation of
children's literature.
Close to 20 million copies of the Corduroy books have sold in the
United States and around the world.
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