When Scholastic first published Clifford the Big Red Dog in 1963, the book’s creator, Norman Bridwell (1928–2014), could not have foreseen that his enormous, lovable red hound would capture hearts globally and become a potent symbol for children’s literacy. Following Bridwell’s passing, his family made a generous donation of over 90 items related to Clifford to the Division of Home and Community Life’s Education Collection. This collection at the Smithsonian chronicles the history of education in the United States, from the colonial era to the present, and these materials specifically highlight shifts in engaging and teaching children to read in the 1960s, both inside and outside the classroom.
Clifford the Big Red Dog originated from Bridwell’s childhood wish for a dog as large as a horse. At the time, Bridwell was a struggling commercial artist in New York City looking to expand into children’s book illustrations. After showing his portfolio to numerous publishers in 1962, he received advice from Susan Hirschman, an editor at Harper & Row, who suggested he write a story to accompany his drawings. Over a single weekend, he transformed his illustration of a small girl and a large red dog into a complete children’s book. Clifford the Big Red Dog was quickly published by Scholastic after submission and achieved phenomenal success. It remains one of the most popular dog story books for children learning to read, making Clifford an internationally cherished figure among preschoolers and parents. He then, over the course of a weekend, turned his drawing of a little girl and a large red dog into a complete children’s book, effectively creating Clifford’s origin story.
Early illustration from Clifford the Big Red Dog showing Emily Elizabeth sheltering from rain under Clifford’s chin.
Clifford’s Place in Children’s Literacy
The Clifford the Big Red Dog series gained prominence during a period when traditional children’s readers, such as the Dick and Jane series, were starting to be phased out in classrooms. These earlier books often relied on the repetition of a limited vocabulary set. However, by the 1960s, educators began to view this approach as overly simplistic. A shift occurred towards books that told engaging narratives with vibrant illustrations. Clifford exemplified this transition, much like other beginner readers from the era such as Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat and the Little Golden Book series.
Clifford’s character navigates relatable real-life situations that resonate with young readers, such as attending school, learning good manners, and visiting the doctor. Concurrently, the books subtly teach readers word recognition associated with alphabet letters. The bright colors and playful illustrations were key to attracting children’s attention and solidifying Clifford’s status as a beloved character in dog story books.
Lessons from the Big Red Dog Story
While Norman Bridwell primarily aimed to entertain children with his stories about Clifford, the books consistently convey underlying moral lessons. Clifford, like children, makes mistakes, but importantly, he grows and learns from them. He faces common challenges associated with growing up, providing a gentle example for his young audience on how to navigate the world with kindness, understanding, and a good sense of humor. Clifford also consistently demonstrates the importance of loyalty to friends and family.
A Lasting Legacy
Today, Clifford stands as a key symbol for early childhood education at Scholastic and a cherished icon for generations of children. Scholastic President and CEO Dick Robinson fittingly remarked, “Norman Bridwell’s books about Clifford, childhood’s most loveable dog, could only have been written by a gentle man with a great sense of humor. Norman personified the values that we as parents and educators hope to communicate to our children—kindness, compassion, helpfulness, gratitude.” Norman Bridwell’s creation stands as a beloved figure among memorable literary characters, including the hound of the baskervilles dog from classic fiction.
Through the enduring Clifford The Big Red Dog Story, Norman Bridwell reminds us that making mistakes is part of the journey, and through them, we can emerge better and kinder.
