Norman Bridwell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Norman Bridwell
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Bridwell in 2011
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| Born | February 15, 1928 Kokomo, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | December 12, 2014 (aged 86) Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Occupation | Writer and illustrator |
| Genre | Children's literature |
| Notable works | Clifford the Big Red Dog |
| Spouse |
Norma Howard
(m. 1958–2014) |
| Children | Tim Bridwell and Emily Bridwell Merz |
Norman Ray Bridwell was an American author and cartoonist. He was born on February 15, 1928, and passed away on December 12, 2014. He is most famous for creating the beloved Clifford the Big Red Dog book series. Many kids around the world have enjoyed his stories about the giant red dog.
Contents
Discovering Art: Norman Bridwell's Early Life
Norman Bridwell was born in Kokomo, Indiana, on February 15, 1928. His mother, Leona, was a homemaker, and his father, Vern, worked in a factory. From a young age, Norman loved to draw. Even though he drew often, he didn't always think his art was very good.
When he was in Kokomo High School in the 1940s, he felt other students were better at art and writing. But this didn't stop him from following his passion. After finishing high school in 1945, Norman decided to study art. He attended the John Herron School of Art in Indianapolis. He also studied at Cooper Union in New York City.
Norman Bridwell's Creative Career
Norman Bridwell started his career as a freelance artist in New York. This meant he worked for different companies on various art projects. Even with his art skills, it was hard to earn enough money. He needed to support his wife and young daughter.
The Birth of Clifford the Big Red Dog
In 1962, Norman decided to try illustrating children's books. He put together his best drawings. He showed them to about fifteen different publishers. Sadly, all of them said no.
One day, at a publisher called Harper & Row, an editor gave him an idea. She thought his drawings were interesting. She suggested he turn one drawing into a story. The drawing showed a little girl and a very large dog. This dog was as big as a horse!
That drawing became the famous Clifford the Big Red Dog. The first Clifford book came out in 1963. It was a huge success! This led to over 75 Clifford books. Many of these were written by Norman himself. The series also inspired three animated TV shows. There was also a live musical and a live-action movie. Clifford is now the official mascot for Scholastic, the company that publishes the books.
Other Popular Books by Norman Bridwell
Norman Bridwell also created other popular books. One of these was The Witch Next Door. It was first published in 1965. He had quickly put together the ideas for this book. He brought it to his editor along with a new Clifford story. He just wanted to share a little extra content.
Even though it was a last-minute idea, The Witch Next Door became very popular. It grew into a series of six books. These stories all featured the friendly witch character.
Norman Bridwell wrote and illustrated many other children's books. Some titles include The Zany Zoo (1963) and What Do They Do When It Rains (1969). He also wrote How to Care for Your Monster (1970) and A Tiny Family (1974). His books have sold over 126 million copies. They have been translated into 13 different languages.
Norman Bridwell's Family Life
Norman Bridwell married Norma Ellen Howard on June 13, 1958. They had known each other for three years. A friend introduced them, thinking they would be a great match. They both worked as commercial artists. They were both from Indiana, and their names were even similar!
The couple spent their honeymoon on Martha's Vineyard. They loved the island so much that they visited many times. Later, they decided to move there permanently. Norman and Norma had two children: a daughter named Emily Elizabeth Merz and a son named Tim. By the time Norman passed away, they were proud grandparents to three grandchildren.
The Bridwell family lived in Edgartown, Massachusetts, on Martha's Vineyard. They lived there from 1969 until Norman's death in 2014.
Norman Bridwell's Passing
Norman Bridwell passed away on December 12, 2014. He was 86 years old. He died at Martha's Vineyard Hospital due to prostate cancer. His wife, Norma, shared that he had been in the hospital for three weeks. This was after he had a fall at his home.
His funeral service took place at the Federated Church in Edgartown. He was cremated, and his ashes were given to his son, Tim.
