When we were little…

First published in 1963 Clifford the Big Red Dog is loved by many and is considered a classic in the USA. His creator Norman Bridwell is quoted as describing Clifford like this…

“He’s big. He’s gentle. He’s always trying to be helpful. He’s a lovable dog and well-meaning but clumsy. And I think children appreciate this.”

I know I did. Clifford is not only big, he is huge and he overshadows his owner Emily Elizabeth – a character named after Bridwell’s own real life daughter – and her two-storey house. Emily Elizabeth loves Clifford so much that from a puppy he grows and grows until the family has to move from their city house to a farm to accommodate their huge new pet.

Clifford the Big Red Dog and all the subsequent books and television show are based around acceptance and caring in the community as well as other BIG values.

Over-sized characters have always been popular in children’s literature and throughout fairy tales and indigenous myths and legends. A favorite story in our house is Babyboomsticks by Margaret Wild and David Legge about a gigantic baby and of course we have posted before about our passion for the gorgeous Nara picture book The Lonesome Puppy.

This is a picture I still have that I drew of Clifford probably when I was about 6ish…