By Laura W
I’m pretty sure that nearly every child, and nearly every adult, knows, or knows of, Clifford the Big Red Dog. Sadly, the author of the famed books, Norman Bridwell, passed away last Friday, at the age of 86. His most famous works were the Clifford, the Big Red Dog books. Sadly, he is not the first children’s author we’ve lost this year. Eric Hill, the author of the Spot the Dog books, passed away earlier in the year.
I’m pretty sure that nearly every child, and nearly every adult, knows, or knows of, Clifford the Big Red Dog. Sadly, the author of the famed books, Norman Bridwell, passed away last Friday, at the age of 86. His most famous works were the Clifford, the Big Red Dog books. Sadly, he is not the first children’s author we’ve lost this year. Eric Hill, the author of the Spot the Dog books, passed away earlier in the year.
Norman was born in 1928, in Kokomo, Indiana. He wasn’t very good in art or writing classes at school, but was encouraged to stick to drawing by a high school teacher. He spent the majority of the 1950s working as a commercial artist. He also worked as a filmstrip and slide illustrator, previous to the publication of his Clifford books.
The first Clifford book, Clifford, the Big Red Dog, came out in 1963. The book was initially rejected several times before being picked up. More than 40 Clifford books were released afterwards, all written and illustrated by Norman. The books ranged from Clifford Goes to Hollywood to Clifford’s Manners to the most recent, Clifford Makes the Team. Two more Clifford books will be released next year. The books were published by Scholastic and the lovable red puppy became the company’s mascot.
There were several spin offs created, including a cartoon show, featuring John Ritter as the voice of Clifford, and Suzanne Collins, author of The Hunger Games trilogy, as a scriptwriter. There is an animated feature film due to premiere in 2016. There are also toys, clothing and more all featuring Clifford.
Norman lived for years in a house, in which the front door was bright red, on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. He passed away at the local hospital, where he had been for about three weeks, due to a fall. He had recently had a recurrence of prostate cancer, along with several other ailments.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Norma, his two children, and three grandchildren.
Clifford was one of many beloved children’s literary characters and will be remembered for quite sometime. The books have been around for years, growing up with each generation, and will continue to do so. Thanks, Norman.
The first Clifford book, Clifford, the Big Red Dog, came out in 1963. The book was initially rejected several times before being picked up. More than 40 Clifford books were released afterwards, all written and illustrated by Norman. The books ranged from Clifford Goes to Hollywood to Clifford’s Manners to the most recent, Clifford Makes the Team. Two more Clifford books will be released next year. The books were published by Scholastic and the lovable red puppy became the company’s mascot.
There were several spin offs created, including a cartoon show, featuring John Ritter as the voice of Clifford, and Suzanne Collins, author of The Hunger Games trilogy, as a scriptwriter. There is an animated feature film due to premiere in 2016. There are also toys, clothing and more all featuring Clifford.
Norman lived for years in a house, in which the front door was bright red, on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. He passed away at the local hospital, where he had been for about three weeks, due to a fall. He had recently had a recurrence of prostate cancer, along with several other ailments.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Norma, his two children, and three grandchildren.
Clifford was one of many beloved children’s literary characters and will be remembered for quite sometime. The books have been around for years, growing up with each generation, and will continue to do so. Thanks, Norman.
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