Happy Birthday, Clifford!

There are few more beloved children's characters than Clifford the Big Red Dog, created by Norman Bridwell, 50 years ago. Everyone knows Clifford, dogs and celebrations, right? So what better theme for a storytime than Clifford's 50th birthday?

I donned the Clifford ears that Scholastic was handing out at ALA in June, found a pattern to allow the kids to create their own out of red construction paper, grabbed my Clifford puppet,and a stack of Clifford books. I modified a number of dog rhymes, songs, and finger plays to customize them for Clifford which only added to the fun, and had a great story time!

Here are the books we read:
Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Clifford, the big red dog, is probably one of the most loved and recognizable children's book character. He is lovable, and like them, has trouble fitting in as he makes his way through life. His person, Emily Elizabeth, loves him and the Clifford books subtly send positive messages about caring, loyalty, friendship, and responsibility. In this first book, Emily, introduces the reader to her dog, Clifford, and traces the ups and downs of life raising a jumbo size dog. Even though Clifford is fifty, the stories have a timelessness that still interest today's children.

Clifford's Puppy Days by Norman Bridwell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was the second story in a book of four classic Clifford stories, and so we read about Clifford's beginning. He was a tiny puppy, and Emily Elizabeth was constantly worried about him getting lost or getting injured by her toys while they played. This is one book where Clifford's age was showing - at one point, Emily Elizabeth talks about Clifford loving the Merry-Go-Round she made for him, which is a record spinning on a record player. All the parents smiled when I asked my toddlers if they knew what the item was...and laughed at the kids' response which was a CD Player...In this book he also has an adventure in a bakery, get's bathed by a St. Bernard and then becomes the enormous grown-up dog we know and love today.

Clifford The Champion by Norman Bridwell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
When Emily Elizabeth enters Clifford into a dog competition, the results are humorous and somewhat predictable. Clifford is paired up with another dog, who runs the obstacle course and other trials perfectly - while Clifford, because he is so big, keeps getting stuck or breaking parts of the elements. However when it comes to the big splash competition, Clifford scores well, and almost wins when he saves his competitor who is unable to swim. My audience loved the funny pictures and the fact that Clifford always does his best and tries so hard to fit in to the world which is much too small for him.

Clifford Keeps Cool by Norman Bridwell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Here in San Diego, we have been experiencing unusually hot and humid weather, so I felt like I had to include this particular Clifford title in Storytime today. It is the height of summer and Clifford tries all the usual methods to stay cool, but at his size they don't always work quite right. For instance, watching a dog riding in a car enjoying the cool breeze, Clifford climbs on top of a large truck - which cools him off...until the truck passes under a freeway overpass. He empties swimming pools and fountains, until finally, Emily Elizabeth finds the perfect cooling spot for him: under a waterfall in a park. Not only is he finally happy, but he manages to save a boat load of kids in a canoe who were about to plunge over the falls. You gotta love this dog!

Clifford's Birthday Party by Norman Bridwell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is another charming book about Clifford's life and his struggles to fit in to this miniature world. The kids enjoyed this story, and there were many laughs to be had, especially when all the guests at the party dream about what Clifford would look like after a trip to the groomers. I was bothered by the way the story centered on birthday presents - at first none of the guests would come, because they felt that their gifts were inadequate for their friend. The bulk of the story features each guest and his/her gift and how grateful Clifford is to receive each one...even though they are all somehow wrong (a hand knit sweater that only fits over part of his nose, for example). In the end, his family arrives to surprise him, and the message about friends and family being the most important gift comes through...but only in the last few pages.

Although it was a day off for me at the public library, I didn't want the kids there to miss out on the fun! Last Saturday I made a birthday card for all the kids to sign and prepared the materials so that they could also make Clifford ears. I also put all of our Clifford books out on display. I passed the "official" ears to the librarian who would be working in children's area today, and put out a "Clifford's Birthday Party" board game for kids to play as they wandered in. Happy Birthday, dear friend, Clifford!