Corduroy’s stories
May 30th, 2008
Introduction (by Roy): Over the years I have received many personal stories on how CORDUROY, the book by my father Don Freeman, has touched people. I will excerpt some of these below. You, the reader, are welcome to add more.
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Dear Roy,
I was given a copy of “Corduroy” when I adopted my older son from Russia,
and I have always viewed it as a classic adoption story. When I read it now with
my younger son, also adopted from Russia, I see in it the story of many older
orphans, who are passed up by adoptive parents because of their age and
other “defects”. I am planning to write a blog post on reading “Corduroy” as as
adoptive parent on my Web site, but I wonder whether Don Freeman even had
adoption in mind when he wrote the book? Thanks!
V.C.
Biographical comments on Don
May 30th, 2008
Introduction (by Roy): I occasionally receive very personal comments to me about my father. They touch me too. This is one of the main reasons I set up this website for my father, to allow and make these contacts. Here are some examples.
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Dear Roy,
I am Julia Cunningham’s niece. Your father and my aunt did a book together (Burnish Me Bright) and your mother and my aunt did one as well (Onion Journey). In looking up copyright information, I stumbled across your web pages. I grew up in Santa Barbara - one of my most magical memories is your Dad’s chalk talks. On my god! They were incredible.
Don and Lydia and my aunt were very special to each other - I guess I’d use the term soulmates. Judy took quite a hit when Don died, so young. (I remember being upset.) In fact, Judy’s favorite piece of art is a 10×10 pen and ink illustration from Burnish Me Bright, which hung in a place where she could see it at all times.
Judy died on February 28th, just a few months ago. She was 91. In January 2007, she chose to live in a “care center” because she kept falling down at home, refusing to use a walker. I went out just about every month from my home in Texas to see her. She made me take the pen and ink home because she was afraid someone would steal it. I have it hanging in my office - I’m a psychologist. I’m only relaying this background because I wanted to tell you that although I have alot of framed art in my office, all of which are larger than Don’s illustration, clients are drawn to his illustration like a magnet.
When Judy was dying, she had kind of a hard time, which was resolved, which I’d share with you if we ever met. But the point is, I brought a copy of your father’s illustration and held it in front of her eyes, and she calmed. Your Dad helped her cross over. I told her that it was OK to go, that she’d see him and Lydia, Vivian, Tuppy, Hildegarde, Clyde (Clyde Bulla, who died May 2007), and other loves ones, some of which you may know.
I’m glad you have these websites. Your father’s gifts are timeless classics, and I remember your mother as so gracious and as an artist as well. I know she and Judy kept up a correspondence when your Mom moved to Switzerland, and I think Judy used to send birthday presents to their grandchild, who is either your child or niece or nephew! I have her correspondence as well as a number of other of original illustrations from Burnish Me Bright and Onion Journey.
Your art is captivating. It is so full of life and energy. To me, it helps makes sense of things. I love it.
All the best,
Mary Cunningham
P.S. Don also illustrated Far in the Day.
