Clifford The Small Red Puppy (Clifford 8x8) [Paperback]

Norman Bridwell (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up | Series: Clifford 8x8

This is the story of how the biggest and most loved dog in America got to be so big!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

There's no denying that kids love Clifford®. The Big Red Dog® has been a favorite since Norman Bridwell created him over 40 years ago. "I was working as a commercial artist in New York City. There wasn't much work, so I made some sample pictures and took them to several publishers. They all rejected my work. But one editor suggested that I try writing a book of my own to illustrate. I had done a painting of a little girl with a big red dog. That seemed like a funny idea, so I made up a story about them. I increased the dog's size from as big as a horse to as big as a house. My wife named the dog Clifford, and we named the little girl Emily Elizabeth after our daughter. In three days I had written the story and drawn the pictures for Clifford The Big Red Dog. When Scholastic called and said they wanted the book, I was stunned." Bridwell, who grew up in Kokomo, Indiana, lives now on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, with his wife, Norma. For more information about Norman Bridwell, visit: scholastic.com/tradebooks

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Cartwheel (December 1, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590442945
• ISBN-13: 978-0590442947
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 7.1 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #50,627 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #12 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( B ) > Bridwell, Norman
  • #48 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Animals > Pets > Fiction
  • #86 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Pets

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gales of Giggles!, March 24, 2001

By 

Donald Mitchell "Jesus Loves You!" (Thanks for Providing My Reviews over 109,000 Helpful Votes Globally) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Clifford the Small Red Puppy (Clifford, the Big Red Dog) (Library Binding)

If you are like me, you love Clifford, the Big Red Dog. Do you know the story of how he came to live with Emily Elizabeth?

One day, Emily Elizabeth's friend, Martha, got a new dog. She tells Emily Elizabeth all about finding the dog at the pet store. Then she asks how Emily Elizabeth acquired Clifford, the Big Red Dog.

"When I was little I lived in the city. I didn't have a dog."

Then one day a neighbor's dog had puppies, and he offered Emily Elizabeth one.

All of the puppies looked different from each other, and one was very tiny. The neighbor said to Emily Elizabeth, "Don't pick him. He's the runt. He'll always be small and sick."

But Emily Elizabeth liked the idea of having a puppy who needed her. So she took the little red puppy, and named him Clifford.

Clifford was so tiny that they couldn't find a collar small enough for him. He had to be fed with a doll's baby bottle. He would get lost in the house, sometimes even in Daddy's shoe! He would sleep in bed with Emily Elizabeth.

One day, Mother noticed that he seemed bigger. So did Emily Elizabeth. The collar now was too small. He couldn't fit into the basket meant for sleeping. He returned to Emily Elizabeth's bed, but soon he took all the room!

When they would walk, Clifford was bigger than even the big dogs. The neighbors began to notice how large Clifford was. Then the landlord complained. The police came and said Clifford would have to go. But they could not get him out, because he was bigger than the doors!

Finally, a crane was able to lift him into a moving van that took Clifford to the country where Emily Elizabeth's uncle lived. Clifford and Emily Elizabeth really missed one another.

Then, Daddy got a new job working with her uncle, and they all moved to the country. Emily Elizabeth and Clifford were reunited.

Emily Elizabeth said, "Clifford, stop growing. You are just right."

Then Emily Elizabeth politely asks Martha to tell about her dog again. Martha decides to change the subject.

This book has many wonderful qualities. First, it addresses the issue of appearances being deceiving. Clifford looked like a runt, but became a giant. Second, it shows that potential can be much different from current reality. The exact nature of Clifford's great ability to be a rewarding dog is not apparent as a puppy. Third, children get a chance to realize that cute baby animals will not always be like that. Many children ask for a pet, and then will not take care of the pet when the baby animal becomes an adult. You can have more realistic conversations about your pet plans after reading this story. Fourth, it turns the idea of having an adult pet into an asset. Fifth, the story is told in such a way that your child will be laughing continuously. That will make it easier to remember the story, and will encourage learning to memorize the words. That is helpful in a beginning reader. Sixth, the story also encourages you to make the best of whatever comes your way. Although Emily Elizabeth did not have the reality of Clifford, the Big Red Dog, in mind when she picked him, she learned to love and enjoy his adult self as much as his puppy self.

After reading this story, you can have a wonderful conversation about how relationships change between parents and children as the children grow up. You can help your child understand how taking on more responsibility is part of the maturation process, and doesn't mean you care for her or him any less. In fact, encouraging independence is a sign of true love. In this way, your relationship can evolve in many positive ways, as Emily Elizabeth's did with Clifford.

Look on the funny side of what happens . . . always!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Too Large To Handle, December 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Clifford the Small Red Puppy (Clifford, the Big Red Dog) (Library Binding)

This is a very good book for small children. The book tells how a girl wishes her very small puppy would become a big healthy dog. Her wish comes true and the dog grows bigger than her house. The pictures in the book are very brightly colored and eye catching. I like the book, because it shows children that their wishes can come true. It teaches children to think positive.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Grandma, was I ever that small?", July 15, 2008

By 

J. Arena (Williamsburg, VA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Clifford The Small Red Puppy (Read with Clifford) (Hardcover)

This is a hilariously charming and educational story that tells about how Clifford, America's favorite Big Red Dog was once Clifford, The Small Red Puppy! Years ago, Clifford was adopted because he was the runt of the litter -- just so little and cute. But, he began to grow and grow to great big Clifford size, and the little girl had to adjust and learn to deal with those changes.

There is so much for children to take away from this story about the responsibilities of having a pet, changes in family relationships and so much more. Because the book is so funny, the message is so much more palitable, and it will be easy for parents to open discussions.

Excellent book with wonderful, eye-opening lessons.