Clifford the Big Red Dog


Clifford the Big Red Dog is an American children's book series and media franchise focusing on the adventures of an 8-year-old blonde-haired girl named Emily Elizabeth and her titular pet: a gigantic, love-filled, red-furred dog named Clifford. It was first published in 1963 and was written by Norman Bridwell. There are 91 books in the series, with the final two released posthumously after Bridwell's death in 2014. The premise has been adapted into animation, video games, stage productions, and live-action, with the 2021 film being the most recent as of 2025. Clifford is the official mascot of Scholastic Corporation.

Concept and creation

The character was inspired by author Norman Bridwell's childhood desire to own a dog the size of a horse. In 1962, Bridwell included paintings of what would become Clifford the Big Red Dog in a portfolio of children's literature illustrations. In the process of showcasing his portfolio for publishing houses, Susan Hirschman at Harper & Row suggested Bridwell turned his drawings into a children's story. Bridwell then developed a story around the dog and his owner, which he would eventually submit to Scholastic. His wife suggested the name "Clifford" after her imaginary friend from her childhood, and Emily Elizabeth was named after Bridwell's daughter. The first book in the series was originally published by Scholastic in 1963.

Characters

  • Clifford is a male red dog whose appearance, disposition and behavior are based on a giant dog. The depiction of Clifford's size is inconsistent. The character's name is based on the imaginary childhood friend of Norman Bridwell's wife, Norma Bridwell. Bridwell originally wanted to name the dog "Tiny", but his wife persuaded him that "Clifford" was better. Clifford's pet owner is Emily Elizabeth. Clifford has a mother, two brothers, and two sisters, all of whom are normal-sized dogs. Clifford was originally the runt of the litter, seemingly fated to be small and sick, but grew to an enormous size apparently due to Emily Elizabeth's love and care. Clifford's character was created when a Harper & Row editor advised Bridwell to write a story to go along with one of his pictures. Bridwell recalls she picked out his sketch of a baby girl with a horse-sized bloodhound, and casually said, "There might be a story in this" because there always was one.
  • Emily Elizabeth is Clifford's owner and human friend, an 8-year-old girl. She is frequently portrayed riding him like a horse. She was named for creator Norman Bridwell's daughter and based on the imaginary adventures of Bridwell's wife. 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 Dog1963The first ten Clifford books were given re-colored illustrations in 1985.
The original book is in the public domain in the United States as its copyright was not renewed. However, Clifford's name and some likenesses are still trademarked by Norman Bridwell's estate. The trademark on Emily expired in 2022.
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 book
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 and the Bath2002
69. Clifford's Busy Week2002
70. Clifford Goes to Dog School2002
71. Clifford's Neighborhood: Lots to Learn All Around Town2002
72. Clifford the Weather Dog2002
73. A Little Book About Red2003Phonics Reading Program
74. Cleo's Fudge Cakes2003Phonics Reading Program
75. Clifford and the Squirrel2003Phonics Reading Program
76. Clifford Loves Me!2003
77. Clifford's Class Trip2003
78. Clifford's Day with Dad2003
79. Emily Elizabeth Can't Trade2003Phonics Reading Program
80. Get That Lunch Box2003Phonics Reading Program
81. Good Sports 2003Phonics Reading Program
82. Jumping in Puddles2003Phonics Reading Program
83. Mac the Knight2003Phonics Reading Program
84. The Singing Birds' Show2003Phonics Reading Program
85. Spring Is in the Air2003Phonics Reading Program
86. Clifford's First Sleepover2004
87. Clifford Goes to Washington2005
88. Clifford's Puppy Days: Christmas Angel2005
89. Clifford the Champion2009
90. Clifford Makes the Team2011
91. Clifford Goes to Kindergarten2015Published posthumously
92. Clifford Celebrates Hanukkah2015Published posthumously