Clifford's First Valentine's Day [Paperback]

Norman Bridwell (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Clifford

On his first Valentine's Day with Emily Elizabeth, Clifford is small enough to fit into her pocket and to get into lots, and lots, of trouble!

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 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Cartwheel (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590921622
• ISBN-13: 978-0590921626
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 7.8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #201,888 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #30 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( B ) > Bridwell, Norman

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Puppy Love!, January 15, 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's First Valentine's Day (Paperback)

This is a story about when Clifford, the big red dog, was a small puppy. He was tiny compared to his friend, Emily Elizabeth. After he was grown, he towered over her. She asks you, "Guess who always gets the biggest valentine?"

On Clifford's first Valentine's Day, Emily Elizabeth was making valentines for her mother, father, grandma, and grandpa. Clifford wanted to help. Emily Elizabeth gave him some paper. While she used scissors, Clifford used his puppy teeth!

In those days, you glued valentines together with smelly white paste. Clifford starting sniffing, and soon had the paste all over his paws. Then he ran all over the valentines. Eventually, Emily Elizabeth got everything sorted out. Then, she put Clifford into her pocket for a ride to the post office to mail the valentines. The complications really started to multiply there!

But when they all returned safely home, Emily Elizabeth concluded this about Clifford, "He will always be my favorite valentine." Now, that's real love.

One of the many beauties of this story is that Emily Elizabeth acts throughout in a thoughtful responsible way. In doing so, she becomes a good model for what a child should do with a new pet. This includes paying attention to the young animal, playing together, and cleaning up when problems occur. It also means watching out for the pet's safety.

If your young child has been interested in having a pet, this would be a good story to read together. Then you could discuss what the responsibilities are of having a pet, especially a frisky puppy. You can ask your child how she or he would have handled the situations that arise with Clifford in the book. Also, you can talk about how small puppies do grow into large dogs. Will the fun continue then, or does the pet become a parental responsibility then?

Pets can be a wonderful experience for children, and the experience is improved by spending some time first thinking through what is involved in an unemotional way. This book can help your child to do that.

Enjoy giving and receiving love from your children . . . and their pets!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another exciting adventure featuring the small red puppy!, January 14, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Clifford's First Valentine's Day (Paperback)

Meet Elizabeth and her dog, Clifford! With Valentines Day a month away, you don't want to miss out on this great story! Join Clifford as he celebrates his First Valentines Day! In this heart-pounding adventure, Clifford tries to eat some glue while creating Valentine cards with his owner, Elizabeth, and also goes for a ride down the postal chute when mailing the cards! This is one story you don't want your children to miss this Valentine's Day!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clifford's First Valentines Day, December 18, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Clifford's First Valentine's Day (Paperback)

Oh this book is just adorable!! I love it! I remember laughing at the picture where he was stuck to the paper hearts and was a "sticky mess" when I was younger but I dont know why. I guess I was just a weird little kid. I was happy when they finally found Clifford in the mailroom though. This book is really easy to read and the illustrations are really really cute!
I gave this book 5 stars.
Kathy Weirauch