Clifford (character) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clifford |
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| Clifford the Big Red Dog character | |
The original 1963 cover of Clifford the Big Red Dog
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| First appearance | Clifford the Big Red Dog (1963 Book) |
| Created by | Norman Bridwell |
| Voiced by |
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| Information | |
| Species | Giant red dog |
| Gender | Male |
| Family | Emily Elizabeth (owner) |
Clifford is the famous giant red dog from the Clifford the Big Red Dog books. Norman Bridwell wrote these popular stories, starting in 1963. Clifford is also the main character in the TV show that ran on PBS Kids from 2000 to 2003. He is one of the most well-known characters from children's books and the official mascot for Scholastic.
Contents
How Clifford Was Created
When Norman Bridwell was a kid, he really wanted a dog as big as a horse. He even tried riding a horse once, but it wasn't very friendly. So, he got an idea to write and draw a story about a super-friendly, horse-sized dog.
In 1962, Bridwell showed his idea to many publishers. He had a drawing of a young girl and a huge bloodhound. Most publishers weren't interested. But an editor at Harper & Row suggested he turn his drawing into a children's story.
His wife, Norma, helped him create the story. They imagined a girl and an even bigger red dog, almost the size of a house! Bridwell first thought of naming the dog "Tiny." But Norma said that name sounded silly for such a giant dog. She suggested "Clifford" instead, named after an imaginary friend from her childhood. This wonderful story became Clifford the Big Red Dog, published by Scholastic in 1963.
Clifford's Character
Clifford is a huge, kind red dog. He lives with his owner, a young girl named Emily Elizabeth, in New York City. In his first book, Emily Elizabeth tells us all about Clifford. She talks about how helpful and friendly he is. The books show his many adventures with Emily Elizabeth. Sometimes, his unusual size is a big help. Other times, it can cause a few funny problems!
Clifford wasn't always giant. In some books, you can see him as a small, regular-sized puppy. He grew to his enormous size later on. The creators of the TV show have said that Clifford can even change size. He grows or shrinks depending on the "life force" of the children around him.
Clifford in the TV Series
In the animated TV series, Clifford and Emily Elizabeth live on a made-up place called Birdwell Island. Unlike the books, Clifford and other dogs can talk to each other in the show. The TV series also introduced many new characters. These include Clifford's dog friends and their owners.
Clifford's two best friends are:
- Cleo, a fancy lavender purple poodle.
- T-Bone, a chubby yellow Bull Terrier.
Other dog friends include Mac, a proud sky blue Greyhound, and K.C., a three-legged beagle. The TV show often explores things from the dogs' point of view. They learn important lessons through their adventures and conversations.
Clifford's Puppy Days
After the first TV series, a new show called Clifford's Puppy Days came out. This show tells stories about Clifford when he was a tiny puppy. It shows his life before his family moved to Birdwell Island. This series introduced new characters who weren't in the original books or the first TV show. These include Emily Elizabeth's neighbors and other pets. Some of these characters are:
- Jorge, a Spanish dachshund owned by Emily's friend Nina.
- Daffodil, a pink pet rabbit owned by Emily.
- Norville, a bird.
The 2019 Reboot Series
In the animated reboot from 2019, Clifford is still playful and helpful. In this version, he can talk to Emily Elizabeth, just like in some earlier home video series. They go on many adventures and explore their home island together. This reboot also brought in new dog friends for Clifford:
- Bailey, an Australian Shepherd.
- Tucker, a Dalmatian puppy.
- Hero, a beagle.
- Hudson, a Yorkshire Terrier.
See also
In Spanish: Clifford, el gran perro rojo para niños
