Customer Reviews

Clifford The Firehouse Dog

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Clifford and his adventures are always very popular in my classroom. Some may argue that many of Clifford's adventures are a stretch, they are nonetheless captavating to a young audience. In this edition, Clifford after being introdcued to the role of firefighters and the importance of fire safety gets a chance to be a fire rescue dog is his own right. The book is a great seque into fire safety and prevention.

My 4 yr old grandson loves all the Clifford books and this one is no exception. They are great for children just learning to read.

There is really not much not to like about Clifford and Clifford the Big Red Dog books and this one is certainly no exception. I am not at all sure how many Clifford books there are out there; I have read quite a number and keep finding others. I cannot remember one that did not make me smile, nor can I remember one that did not teach a good lesson is a nice and mellow way, palatable for both children and adults.

In this adventure, Emily Elizabeth and Clifford take a visit to a local fire station where Clifford's brother Nero works as a fire rescue dog. It should be noted that Nero is quite normal size. As chance would have it, the fire alarm goes off while the young lady and Clifford and there being shown around the fire department, and of course respond to the fire.

Clifford does his Clifford thing, rescues some people, clears smoke, puts out the fire and rescues a group of firemen...all in a days work for the big guy.

The book ends with the author providing a list of Fire Safety Rules which are worth the read of the book along. You cannot start too soon teaching children such things and I cannot think of a better way to sneak this knowledge through their heads than via a very nicely done book and story.

The art work is typical of all Clifford books; well done, clear, precise and very well executed with pleasing colors.

The text is simply and declarative, leaving no doubt as to the story line and the path the author is leading the reader. The combination of both text and art work perfectly.

This work makes a wonder one on one read and an excellent group read for school, library reading secessions and the like.

Note: I notice that one reviewer has shown concern that when Clifford destroyed a fruit stand while helping the fireman, that little was care was shown for the destruction of this property. I made the same error when I first read this work. I was mistaken. Emily Elizabeth is plainly shown paying the fruit man for the damages caused. To my way of thinking this was a great touch as it taught not only fire safety, but also taught responsibility. Actually, I have a confession to make...I was not the one that picked up on this at all. I was reading the book to a group of overly bright little twerps, made a comment about the fruit stand being trashed, and two of the kids immediately pointed out my pitiful state of observations. Kids are so very, very bright; pity that at times we adults rather muck things up for them.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

ISBN 0590484192 - Clifford the Big Red Dog is a series that I've always loved if only because, as a child, I figured Clifford had to be an Irish Setter, we had an Irish Setter, therefore... Clifford must be related to my dog. Perfect sense!

Clifford and Emily Elizabeth set off to visit Nero, Clifford's brother. Nero lives in a firehouse and works as a rescue dog. Clifford thinks this is work that he could do and he gets the chance to find out when an alarm is sounded and the fire trucks race to the scene. Clifford helps the firemen in various ways and is made an honorary fire rescue dog.

Normally, for the text, I'd give the book 4 stars. It's good, it isn't fantastic. But then there's the last page, with Clifford's Fire Safety Rules, seven simple things that children can do, including things to help them get out of a burning building and common sense (for an adult) warnings to not play with matches or stoves. That earned the book the fifth star - anything that can be used to help children be safe is worthy of reading and when those things are targeted at kids it's even better. Norman Bridwell's enormous dog remains a childrens' favorite.

- AnnaLovesBooks

This is a great book, my grandchildren love it. It also came in plenty of time for Christmas.

We started our Clifford journey with "Clifford the Big Red Dog". It is a really good story. The others are not as enjoyable from a parent perspective. This sone is nice that it has fire safety eduction in it. It's not so nice that Clifford destroys a man's fruit stand and just laughs it off.