New 'Corduroy' Sequel 50 Years Later

Corduroy fans, get excited: The beloved children’s book is finally getting a sequel, 50 years after it was published. As if that news wasn’t thrilling enough on its own, the book will be written by Oscar Award-winning actress Viola Davis.

Titled Corduroy Takes a Bow, the new picture book will tell the story of the beloved teddy bear’s first trip to the theater. In honor of the original book’s 50th anniversary, it will be published in September 2018 by Viking Children’s Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers.

A press release from the book’s publisher gives a mini preview of what to expect:

“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. 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.”

Meanwhile, Davis offered her perspective on what the book meant to her growing up and what it means now as an adult — who gets to bring the teddy to life once more in the second book.

“Corduroy has always held a special place in my life, first as a child paging through it, and then again with my daughter, introducing her to the adventures of that adorable teddy bear,” Davis said. “I am honored and excited by the chance to continue the story that Don Freeman started 50 years ago.”

We’re so excited to see what Davis brings to the table — or should we say the stage? — for our lovable teddy bear. If her book writing skills are anything like her fabulous acting, we know we won’t be able to put this one down!

h/t Buzzfeed