Cliffordʼs Birthday Party

by Norman Bridwell

Clifford the Big Red Dog: Publication Order (19), Clifford the Big Red Dog (an 8x8 booklet)

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Clifford, the big, lovable, red dog, celebrates his birthday.

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11 reviews
All the invited guests for Clifford's birthday blow it off because they don't think their presents are good enough. Emily Elizabeth drags them to the party anyway, and most of their presents indeed do not work out, getting quickly destroyed or rejected. (This time at least Clifford only destroys things belonging to himself or Emily Elizabeth's family instead of raining destruction across the whole neighborhood.) And then Emily Elizabeth trumps all her friends by giving Clifford what he really wanted, making the whole party feel like some sort of cruel trap.

It all boils down to a a weak friends and family are more important than gifts moral, but why have the friends bring their gifts at all if they truly don't matter?
In the book “Clifford’s Birthday Party” is a great book for young children to read. Rather it is close to their birthday’s or if they are wanting to read a fun book for them to be able to understand easily. It shows that even if they may not have that many friends that spending time with the people who love you is very important. Having their friends and family come together to celebrate them shows them how loved they really are. It is great for children to learn at a very young age. A theme in the book is showing how loved Clifford is, children reading the book can show that Clifford feels very loved and they can think about times they feel loved rather than it from their friends or their family, feeling loved by both groups of show more people is a great feeling for not only children, fake characters but adults as well. The book also shows how celebrations or parties are more than just gifts, it's surrounding yourself with your people and the ones who truly love you the most. As well as being grateful and thankful for those who do bring you gifts, and for the people who are able to spend special time and moments with you. show less
This particular Clifford tale, by Norman Bridwell, tells the story about Clifford's birthday. Emily Elizabeth planned a wonderful party for him but no one shows up at first; all of Clifford's friends are worried that their gifts will not be good enough. Emily convinces them to come anyways and one by one they each give their gifts to Clifford. As the gifts are unwrapped, it's obvious that none of them are really going to work out but Clifford loves them anyways. At the end, a big cake arrives and Cliffords parents and siblings pop out and surprise him. It is clear that Clifford's birthday party was a success because he got to be with his friends and family, and that's what really matters to him. I think this is a great message for kids show more to hear. I also really like the illustrations; they are very colorful and detailed - the text explains what is happening but the illustrations help complete the idea. If I were to use this book in the classroom, I could have students think of a gift they would give Clifford that would be a good fit for him. show less
Since I was a child, I have always loved Clifford's adventures. In this book, the adventure is Clifford's Birthday. The book starts off with Clifford's birthday party. His friends think they don't have very good gifts for him, but Emily Elizabeth is positive Clifford will love anything. As his friends bring him his gifts, it is clear that no gift quite fits Clifford. His rain coat only fit his nose, he stepped on his toy dog, he accidently pulls the plug on his ball. But at the end, his family surprises him and Clifford is so delighted. He says his family is the best gift of all.
This book gives a great messages to early readers. The message of how material things don't matter as much as family and friends. The illustrations in the show more book really capture Clifford's emotions when he sees his family, and many young readers will learn how important family really is. show less
This is from the well known series of Clifford the big red dog. "Clifford's Birthday Party" is the story of Clifford's party. His friends didn't show up because they did not know what gift to give them Clifford explains how we he will like any gift that is given to him. The theme or message of the story if that the gifts do not matter, it is the people and the experiences that do. This book would be best in an early elementary classroom. The character should be familiar making it exciting for teachers to read out loud. The mother of the story is in the background preparing the party, typical of any mother figure, The illustrations are vivid in color and drawn.
This early reader book focuses on Clifford the Big Red Dog's Birthday Party. As Emily Elizabeth invites all of Clifford's friends, no one ended up coming to Clifford's birthday party. Sad, Emily Elizabeth asked them how come they didn't come and each one said they didn't know what to buy Clifford for his birthday. Emily Elizabeth says they're being silly and invites them again. Clifford's friends show up to the party and has a great time. The illustrations are colorful and realistic. Bright colors are used and outlined in black to show the characters more. The text has a small amount on each page and big words were not used so it is great for beginner readers. A teacher can use this book to put in the children's library or can read show more aloud to smaller children during small group. show less
½
Clifford gets a series of preasants for his birthday that aren’t quite right for him being so huge. What he likes the most is having his family and friends with him.

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Author Information

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Norman Bridwell was born on February 15, 1928 in Kokomo, Indiana. He attended the John Herron Art Institute from 1945 to 1949 and Cooper Union Art School from 1952 to 1953. After graduating from Cooper Union, he worked first as a messenger for a lettering company and then as an artist designer for Raxon Fabrics Company. After that, he spent three show more years with H. D. Rose and Company as an artist, before becoming a freelance artist in 1956. In 1963, he published his first children's book, Zany Zoo, as well as his first Clifford book, Clifford the Big Red Dog. During his lifetime, he wrote and illustrated more than 150 books including The Witch Next Door, A Tiny Family, Clifford Goes to Kindergarten, and Clifford Celebrates Hanukkah. He died following a fall at his home on December 12, 2014 at the age of 86. (Bowker Author Biography) show less

Series

Common Knowledge

Canonical title
Cliffordʼs Birthday Party
Original publication date
1988-02
People/Characters
Clifford the Big Red Dog; Emily Elizabeth; Emily Elizabeth's mother; Jenny; Flip, Jenny's dog; Scott (show all 18); Susie, Scott's dog; Sam; Lenny, Sam's dog; Alisha; Nero, Alisha's dog; Cynthia; Basker, Cynthia's dog; Clifford's mother; Clifford's father; Nero, Clifford's big brother; Claudia, Clifford's little sister; Bonnie, Clifford's big sister
Important places
Birdwell Island
Dedication
For Adam, James, and Patrick
First words
My name is Emily Elizabeth, and this is my dog Clifford. Last week was Clifford's birthday. We invited his pals to a party.
Last words
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Clifford liked the presents his friends gave him, but having his family and friends with him was the best birthday present of all.
Original language
English

Classifications

Genres
Children's Books, Picture Books
DDC/MDS
813.54Literature & rhetoricAmerican literature in EnglishAmerican fiction in English1900-19991945-1999
LCC
PZ7 .B7633 .CLanguage and LiteratureFiction and juvenile belles lettresFiction and juvenile belles lettresJuvenile belles lettres
BISAC

Statistics

Members
2,601
Popularity
7,280
Reviews
11
Rating
½ (3.72)
Languages
English, French, Portuguese, Spanish
Media
Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
ISBNs
45
ASINs
7