Corduroy Takes a Bow

by Viola Davis

Celebrate 50 years of America's favorite teddy bear with a brand-new, classically illustrated picture book by Academy Award winner Viola Davis.

Using her own experiences as a Tony Award-winning Broadway actress, Viola Davis writes the story of Corduroy and Lisa's first trip to the theater. As usual, Corduroy adventures off on his own, and readers follow his escapades as he explores all over--from the orchestra pit to the costumes rack to the props table and ultimately on to the stage itself, before being reunited with Lisa. A beautifully illustrated tale with a classic feel, sure to spark an interest in theater in children of any age.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Theatre, Animals, Juvenile, Own

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

VIOLA DAVIS is an internationally acclaimed actress and producer, known for her exceptional performances in television shows like 'How to Get Away with Murder' and movies like 'Fences' and 'The Help.' She is the winner of an Academy Award, an Emmy Award, and two Tony Awards, and in 2021 she won a Screen Actors Guild award for her role in 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'. In both 2012 and 2017, Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Davis is also the founder and CEO of JuVee Productions, an artist driven production company that develops and produces independent film, theater, television, and digital content.

source: Amazon

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Reviews

[karen]

i am way too excited that this is happening.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute

[Bea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blog Tour Review Sept. 6th, 2018

[Tara Strosnider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story of Corduroy and Lisa's first trip to the theater. As usual, Corduroy adventures off on his own, and readers follow his escapades as he explores all over--from the orchestra pit to the costumes rack to the props table and ultimately on to the stage itself, before being reunited with Lisa. A beautifully illustrated tale with a classic feel, sure to spark an interest in theater in children of any age.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only thing keeping this book from perfection is the lack of an emotional punch towards the end. Although, the message shines through and it's one we could all do good not to forget.

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Viola Davis has created a worthy and super sweet addition to the Corduroy series that is sure to be a favorite of the bear’s numerous fans.

[Faloni © · Rating 5 out of 5]

Students in our classroom get a special book during quarantine storytelling time to help them think of various ways to learn about letters,sounds, and nursery rhymes. I’m too too excited!

[riss · Rating 5 out of 5]

very cute and quick!

[Steven Copp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable! A great introduction to theatre for children!

[Margaret Boling · Rating 4 out of 5]

11/3/2018 ~~ Enjoyable tale of going to live theater and the frustrations of finding a seat where you can see. Good intro to the various parts of the stage & orchestra. A few places where inexperience as a picture book author showed - spots where there were too many words and the reader could have gotten the story from the pictures.

[Kathryn (Dragon Bite Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review originally published on my blog, Nine Pages .

What a special opportunity I expect this is for Viola Davis! Don Freeman was one of the first picture book illustrators to create a book with African American protagonists, and now fifty years later, Davis, the first African American to win a Tony, and Emmy, and an Oscar, has returned to his characters with a new story. She takes Corduroy and Lisa to the theater—a live stage performance. Both are excited and in Lisa’s attempts to see above a tall man who sits in front of her, she loses track of Corduroy, who too seeks a better seat, ending up in the pit, backstage, and then on stage. The picture book is unfortunately heavy with lessons about the language of the theater, the people behind a production, and those pieces weighed down the story somewhat.

[Rich Farrell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Corduroy was one of my favorite books growing up. I had a stuffed Corduroy until I was much too old to have the stuffed animal, so I was excited when I saw there were additions to the series by Viola Davis. Unfortunately, this book just didn’t have the charm of Freeman’s Corduroy. I think if this was just about a kid’s stuffed animal being whisked on stage, it could’ve been really good on its own, but neither the story nor the illustrations do justice to the originals.

[Jj · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was cute and sweet, because it's CORDUROY, of course! The story was fine, but not the special sort of thing I was hoping for. I like that Corduroy accompanies Lisa to the theater for a performance, but the antics that ensued just did not do much for me. It was fine but not especially remarkable in any way.

Thanks to Penguin Young Readers for the review copy.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Corduroy goes to the theater with Lisa and finds himself seeing many parts of the production.

It was cute. It was fun to have a classic character resurface. It is a nice introduction to bits of the theater world. Corduroy’s fans will like the book because of the nostalgia factor but there was nothing about this story that made it amazing.

[Macie Williamson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Corduroy Takes a Bow by Viola Davis is a story that is based on the original Corduroy book by Don Freeman. This is a story about a stuffed bear named Corduroy and his owner Lisa. They end up going to see a play at the theatre and Lisa drops Corduroy and loses him under her seat. Corduroy ends up going on adventure because he can't see the show well so he tries to get a better seat and ends up getting on stage with the actors. Lisa sees him on stage and after the show finds him and she makes him a theatre of his own at home so he has the best seat.

The overall theme of this book was teaching kids about the different aspects of theatre like backstage, onstage, the actors and the audience.

Overall, I enjoyed this story and thought it as very fun and heartwarming, but that is all it really was to me. I preferred the original Corduroy because it had a stronger message about loving who you are and never change for anyone. This version of Corduroy didn't get much deeper than just a fun story. I would recommend this book for an easy read and just a fun storytime but, I wouldn't say it is the type of book you should read if you are trying to convey a deeper message to young children.

[AMAO · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corduroy Takes a Bow by Viola Davis
Published September 4, 2018


Celebrate 50 years of America's favorite teddy bear with a brand-new audiobook by Academy Award winner Viola Davis.

When Lisa takes Corduroy to the theater for the very first time, it’s so magnificent and exciting that he just can’t help heading out on his own to explore. From the orchestra pit to the prop table to the dressing rooms, Corduroy sees it all. Could there be a place for Corduroy on stage, too?

Fifty years after this lovable, inquisitive teddy bear was first introduced to readers, he’s now the star of the show. Author Viola Davis uses her own experience as an Emmy, Tony, and Oscar Award-winning actress to imbue Corduroy’s adventure with all the magic of the stage. A beautiful tale with a classic feel, Corduroy Takes a Bow is sure to spark an interest in theater in children of any age.

[Summer D Clemenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t read about Corduroy for years but I have already ordered Corduroy and A Pocket for Corduroy by Don Freeman, the original creator of this fiction series, for my personal children’s book collection. These books will be in my next review. I so enjoyed Corduroy Takes a Bow by Viola Davis and it is in my shopping cart right now!

Lisa and her mother have gone to the theater for the first time. They are excited to see Mother Goose and of course Lisa has brought along her teddy bear, Corduroy. In true form, Corduroy has found a way to have an animal adventure while at the theater but still make it back into Lisa’s arms.

I love the illustrations by Jody Wheeler for this picture book. I love that both Davis and Wheeler stayed faithful to the original character of Corduroy, who is always lovable and heartwarming.

[A Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I believe this is the only Corduroy book, besides the original, that includes Lisa! The book starts with Lisa getting off the bus with her mom in front of a theater. Once they are seated for the show, Corduroy accidentally slips off Lisa's lap and falls underneath the seats in front of her. For the rest of the book Corduroy is just trying to find a place from where he can see the play and he ultimately ends up on the stage! After the play Lisa comes backstage to get Corduroy and the book ends with: "the very next day Lisa made a theater just for Corduroy. He could see everything from a nice, safe spot." I don't like this book as much as the original but it is cute. I wish there were more books with Lisa!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was an unexpected added element of fun to reading this together for the first time. My daughter misheard me when I read the theater signage aloud on the first pages; she thought I said "Mother Goose LIED" instead of "Mother Goose LIVE." It took a few attempts to stop laughing our butts off, with demands from her of, "What did she lie about?!" Then as soon as I swore I was well past it and began reading again, we both managed to suddenly burst out in fits again at the same time. I somehow kept it together for the rest of the story, but don't tell her that I had a really hard time of it, especially with her continuing to cackle and quip throughout.

[S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Corduroy was my first English book, it was a gift from Canada. Despite the fact that it was for a younger audience, it didn't really bother me since I was taking my first steps in English and Le Petit Prince was my favourite.
A few decades later, I walk into this museum and decide to check the shop for any memorabilia: and there it was, Corduroy's teddy bear, and next to it was this 50 years edition written by none other than VIOLA DAVIS ...
But I only thought of getting an audio version since she was reading it herself ... Childhood bliss memories ..

[Andrés · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the setting of this classic theater is an appropriately sophisticated match to the 1960s department store where we first met Corduroy. Corduroy's adventure also seems plausible, given his previous adventures. Along the way, readers can learn all about the different parts of a stage production, perhaps inviting curiosity and maybe an appreciation. I like that Corduroy ends up back in Lisa's bedroom at the end, this time, with a toy stage. I don't think Lisa and her mother are illustrated similarly enough to the originals. The overall style conforms, though.

[Shandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm always a little dubious about series that continue on without their original author(s), but this one is definitely in the spirit of Corduroy, and the art is also in Don Freeman's style. Being a former theater nerd, I highly approve of a book set in a theater, too. :) Overall, a very sweet entry into the Corduroy universe - I think Viola Davis does Don Freeman proud.

[Ariel Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter and I love going to our city’s Children’s Theater so it was fun to discuss things like the orchestra, costumes, and set design as we read the book. With beautiful modern illustrations reminiscent of the classic storybooks, I would highly recommend this book to all Corduroy fans, young and old.

[Alex Lindsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is nice, but it's very traditional. If that's what you want it's perfect, and it has a cute story. You could use it to teach children about the theater, about what goes on backstage vs. onstage, and what all the different roles are. You could ask them what performances, if any, they've been to, and could even work together to produce something as a class (or in smaller groups).

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute new Corduroy story! Corduroy goes to the theater with Lisa and her mother to see Mother Goose performed and ends up separated from them in his quest to get closer to the show. Jody Wheeler's charming illustrations remind me of classic Corduroy art. This was a sweet story that Corduroy fans will enjoy.

[Lacy | literary_lacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a little longer than the ones we’ve been reading lately, so it took a little longer to get through since my little one didn’t want to sit still the whole time.

This was a cute book with pretty illustrations. I think this might be a story my daughter will enjoy more as she gets older.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Corduroy is one lucky toddler.

I say "toddler" because that's exactly how he acts in this book about going with Lisa and Lisa's mother to see a play.

Consider Corduroy to be a toddler with exceptional good luck, as you'll see, following his improbable adventures. For sure, it's a happy ending.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Corduroy books were in good hands with Viola Davis. You can tell a little difference between the original creator and Viola Davis, but she gets to the heart of this beloved character. Altogether the book works the illustrations are fantastic and it’s all very nostalgic. The story is a little long for my taste, but it mixes in with the Corduroy of old.

[Chance Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming story with beautiful illustrations. A fun introduction to the theatre, and an imaginative adventure for little Corduroy! I love how Lisa and Corduroy pretend to do theatre at the end of the book.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun addition to the Corduroy series of books. I often wonder what Don Freeman would have thought about the continuation of his sweet original book. This one gives some nice insight to life behind the curtain at a theatre.