Long before Lady Gaga proudly declared, "I'm on the right track, baby/I was born this way," Corduroy taught young readers that they didn't need to change themselves in order to be loved.
Corduroy's desire for acceptance and belonging sparks the action in the story as the brave little bear sets off to find his missing button. He believes his flaws are hindering him from his goal of finding a home, but in the end, he realizes that Lisa loves him exactly as he is.
Questions About Acceptance/Belonging
- How do the illustrations highlight Corduroy's desire for belonging?
- Why is Lisa's response to Corduroy's missing button significant?
- How does the book's historical context create a meta-lesson about acceptance?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Corduroy may think he's looking for a missing button, but what he really wants is a place to belong.
In the late 1960s, Corduroy and Lisa's story of acceptance was especially meaningful.