Clifford the Big Red Dog

Clifford the Big Red Dog
Author Norman Bridwell
Country United States
Language English
Genre Children
Publisher Scholastic
Published 1963–2015
Norman Bridwell, the creator and author of the Clifford the Big Red Dog book series, in 2011.

Clifford the Big Red Dog is an American children's book series about a giant red dog named Clifford. It was first published in 1963 and was written by Norman Bridwell (1928–2014). Bridwell himself had a dog he based the stories on, however his pet canine was neither big nor red. The series helped establish Scholastic as a premier publishing company,[1] and Clifford himself is Scholastic's official mascot.[2]

Characters

  • Clifford: a male red dog whose appearance, disposition and behavior are based on a giant "all-around" dog.[3] Clifford is shy, gentle, friendly, loyal, lovable, clumsy, well-meaning and helpful. He sometimes gets into trouble because of his size or is tempted into trouble by his friends and those he meets. His size, like giants in medieval legends, is inconsistent—he is often shown as being about 25 feet (7.5 m) tall from paws to head, but can appear far larger: For example, in one episode of the show, he removes the top of a lighthouse and swims out with it to guide a ferry through the fog to the dock. The character's name is based on the imaginary childhood friend of creator Norman Bridwell's wife.[4] He originally wanted to name him "Tiny", but his wife persuaded him otherwise.[5] His owner is Emily Elizabeth, to whom he is devoted. He has a mother, two brothers, and two sisters. His character was created when an editor at Harper & Row advised Bridwell to write a story to go along with one of his pictures. She picked out his sketch of a baby girl and a horse-sized bloodhound and casually said, "There might be a story in this," Bridwell remembers.[3]
  • Emily Elizabeth: Clifford's owner. A friendly, curious, and helpful eight-year-old[5] girl. She is frequently portrayed riding on his bare back. She is the best skater on the island, and is also very good at soccer. She was named for creator Norman Bridwell's daughter and based on the imaginary adventures of Bridwell's wife.[4] The TV series adaptation gives her a surname, Emily Elizabeth Howard, and changes the background, with her receiving Clifford as a surprise present on her 6th birthday instead of picking him out as a Christmas present.

List of books

TitleYearNotes
1. Clifford, the Big Red Dog1963
2. Clifford Gets a Job1965
3. Clifford Takes a Trip1966
4. Clifford's Halloween1966
5. Clifford's Tricks1969
6. Clifford, the Small Red Puppy1972
7. Clifford's Riddles1974
8. Clifford's Good Deeds1975
9. Clifford at the Circus1977
10. Clifford Goes to Hollywood1980Reissued in 2010 under the title: Clifford is a Star
11. Clifford's ABC1983
12. Clifford's Christmas1984
13. Clifford's Family1984
14. Clifford's Kitten1984
15. Clifford and the Grouchy Neighbors1985
16. Clifford's Pals1985Reissued in 2010 under the title: Clifford's Best Pals
17. Clifford's Manners1987
18. Count on Clifford1987
19. Clifford's Birthday Party1988
20. Clifford's Puppy Days1989
21. Where is Clifford?1989
22. Clifford's Happy Days: A Pop-Up Book1990Pop up book
23. Clifford's Word Book1990
24. Clifford, We Love You1991
25. Clifford's Animal Sounds1991
26. Clifford's Bathtime1991
27. Clifford's Bedtime1991
28. Clifford's Peekaboo1991
29. Clifford Counts Bubbles1992
30. Clifford Follows His Nose1992
31. Clifford's Happy Easter1992
32. Clifford's Noisy Day1992
33. Clifford's Thanksgiving Visit1993
34. Clifford I Love You1994Pop-Up
35. Clifford the Firehouse Dog1994
36. Clifford's First Christmas1994
37. Clifford and the Big Storm1995
38. Clifford's First Easter1995
39. Clifford's First Halloween1995
40. Clifford's Sports Day1996
41. Clifford's First Autumn1997
42. Clifford's Spring Clean-Up1997
43. Clifford's First Valentine's Day1997
44. Clifford's Peek-And-Seek Animal Riddles1997
45. Clifford and the Big Parade1998
46. Clifford Keeps Cool1998
47. Clifford Counts 1 2 31998
48. Clifford Makes a Friend1998
49. Clifford: Where is the Big Red Doggie?1998
50. Clifford's First Snow Day1998
51. Oops, Clifford!1998
52. Clifford and the Halloween Parade1999
53. Clifford Grows Up1999
54. Clifford's Best Friend: A Story about Emily Elizabeth1999
55. Clifford's Big Book of Things to Know1999
56. Clifford's First School Day1999
57. Clifford Barks!2000
58. Clifford to the Rescue2000
59. Clifford Visits the Hospital2000
60. Clifford's Opposites2000
61. Clifford's Schoolhouse2000
62. Clifford's Big Red Reader2001
63. Clifford's Furry Friends2001
64. Clifford's Happy Mother's Day2001
65. Clifford's Puppy Fun: A Lift-The-Flap Board Book With Stickers2001
66. Clifford's Valentines2001
67. Clifford Runs to Story Time2001
68. Clifford's Busy Week2002
69. Clifford Goes to Dog School2002
70. Clifford's Neighborhood: Lots to Learn All Around Town2002
71. Clifford Loves Me!2003
72. Clifford's Class Trip2003
73. Clifford's Day with Dad2003
74. Clifford's First Sleepover2004
75. Clifford Goes to Washington2005
76. Clifford's Puppy Days: Christmas Angel2005
77. Clifford the Champion2009
78. Clifford Makes the Team2011
79. Clifford Goes to Kindergarten2015[6]
80. Clifford Celebrates Hanukkah2015[6]

Adaptations

Clifford The Big Red Dog with Laura Bush and many children at the White House Easter Egg Roll, 2007.
Clifford with then-congressman Tom Tancredo

Videos

In 1988, Scholastic Studios, Mendelson-Melendez Productions, Nelvana, Wang Film Productions, and Family Home Entertainment released Clifford's Fun with..., a videotape series with the theme song by Phillip Namanworth and Benjamin Goldstein. These episodes include the following: The ABC Message Service, Clifford's Birthday Surprise, The Scavenger Hunt, The Rhyme Cat Rescue, Clifford Goes to Hollywood, and The Pet Show. Brent Titcomb voiced Clifford, and Emily Elizabeth was voiced by Alyson Court.

Karl-Lorimar Home Video released the video "Clifford's Sing Along Adventure" around the same time. Warner Home Video re-released it in the mid-1990s.

Television

Scholastic Studios produced a 65-episode adaptation shown on PBS Kids, which aired from September 2000 to February 2003. Clifford was voiced by actor John Ritter, and Emily Elizabeth was voiced by Grey DeLisle. There was also a 39-episode prequel series that took place during Clifford's puppyhood, which ran September 2003 to February 2006. During that time, a 76-minute film which served as the show's finale was released in February 2004. There will be a new Clifford series in Fall 2019 for Amazon Prime Video.[7]

Live-action film adaptation

In May 2012, it was reported that Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment would make a live-action/animated feature film based on the book. Matt Lopez had been hired to write the script, while Chris Meledandri and Deborah Forte would produce the film.[8] In July 2013, it was reported that Illumination had dropped the project.[9] Two months later, it was reported that the film was still in development at Universal Pictures and that David Bowers was in talks to direct the film.[10] Like the 2011 film Hop, the titular dog character will be animated while the other characters will be live-action.[10] On August 1, 2014, Universal Pictures scheduled the film for a release on April 8, 2016.[11] In the beginning of 2015, the film's release date was taken over by another Universal film, The Boss.[12] On June 30, 2016, it was reported by Deadline Hollywood that Paramount Pictures has picked up the rights for the film. According to the report, "Forte decided to take the material in a new direction," and "Universal let the option lapse." It was further announced that Office Christmas Party writer Justin Malen was hired to write the screenplay.[13] On September 25, 2017, it was announced that Walt Becker will direct the film, replacing Bowers.[14] The film will now be produced by Scholastic Entertainment and Paramount Animation.[15]

Video games

Original series

  • Clifford's Reading
  • Clifford's Thinking Games

Modern series

  • Clifford's Learning Activities
  • Clifford's Musical Memory Games
  • Clifford's Phonics
  • Clifford's Big Puzzle Game (A Wendy's Kids' Meal DVD game, available for a limited time only)

See also

References

^ Media and Culture, 5th ed., Richard Campbell, Christopher R. Martin and Bettina Fabos.

  1. ↑ LLC, The H.E.L.P.-I.N.G. Group,. "The Center for Learning, Inc. - CFL Clifford Visits September 19, 2014". www.cflinc.net. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
  2. ↑ "Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell | Scholastic.com". Scholastic Teachers. Retrieved 2016-05-27.
  3. 1 2 Noble, Barnes &. "Clifford the Big Red Dog". Barnes & Noble. Retrieved 2016-05-27.
  4. 1 2 "Clifford the Big Red Dog – Don Markstein's Toonopedia". Toonopedia.com. 2004-02-20. Retrieved 2014-03-13.
  5. 1 2 Fashingbauer Cooper, Gael (December 17, 2014). "Norman Bridwell, creator of Clifford the Big Red Dog, dies at 86". Today. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  6. 1 2 Weber, Bruce (December 16, 2014). "Norman Bridwell, Creator of 'Clifford the Big Red Dog' Books, Dies at 86". The New York Times. Retrieved December 20, 2014. Two additional Clifford books, “Clifford Goes to Kindergarten” and “Clifford Celebrates Hanukkah,” are scheduled for publication by Scholastic in 2015.
  7. ↑ http://kidscreen.com/2018/05/16/clifford-the-big-red-dog-returns-in-reboot/
  8. ↑ Kit, Borys (May 8, 2012). "Illumination and Universal Adapting 'Clifford the Big Red Dog' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
  9. ↑ Debruge, Peter (July 17, 2013). "Illumination Chief Chris Meledandri Lines Up Originals for Universal". Variety. Retrieved July 18, 2013. At the same time, Illumination has scrapped a number of planned movie ideas. “Waldo” and a Tim Burton-helmed, stop-motion “The Addams Family” are dead. The company abandoned a Woody Woodpecker pic, and couldn’t crack “Clifford the Big Red Dog.”
  10. 1 2 Shaw, Lucas (September 13, 2013). "David Bowers in Talks to Direct 'Clifford the Big Red Dog'; Illumination Drops Off (Exclusive)". The Wrap. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  11. ↑ "The Clifford the Big Red Dog Movie is Coming in 2016". ComingSoon.net. August 1, 2014. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  12. ↑ McNary, Dave (January 5, 2015). "Melissa McCarthy's 'Michelle Darnelle' to Replace 'Clifford the Big Red Dog' for April 8, 2016". Variety. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  13. ↑ Fleming, Jr., Mike (June 30, 2016). "'Clifford The Big Red Dog' Movie Unleashed At Paramount With Scribe Justin Malen". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  14. ↑ "7 Days of Deals", The Hollywood Reporter, 27 September 2017, page 30.
  15. ↑ N'Duka, Amanda (May 29, 2018). "Reel FX Rehires Jared Mass As Company Aims To Ramp Up Original Content Slate". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
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