Bridwell, Norman (1928-2014), was an American author and illustrator of children’s books. He gained international fame for his picture books about Clifford, the Big Red Dog.
Clifford was born the runt (smallest) of a litter of puppies. However, young Emily Elizabeth chose him to be her friend and gave the little dog so much love that he grew to be nearly the size of a house. Bridwell named Emily Elizabeth after his daughter. The giant Clifford is affectionate, clumsy, lovable, and eager to help. Young children can easily recognize and enjoy his simple adventures. The “Clifford” books became popular for adults to read to preschool children.
Clifford appears in more than 100 books. The dog has starred in an animated television series (2000-2003), a series about Clifford as a puppy (2003-2006), and a later version of the original television series (2019-2021). He was also the star of an animated motion picture, Clifford’s Really Big Movie (2004); of a live musical comedy, Clifford the Big Red Dog – Live! (2012); and of a live-action motion picture, Clifford the Big Red Dog (2021). Bridwell also created a series about a likable witch who moves into a neighborhood and becomes friendly with the children there. The series began with The Witch Next Door (1965).
Norman Ray Bridwell was born on Feb. 15, 1928, in Kokomo, Indiana. He attended the John Herron Art Institute (now the Herron School of Art and Design) in Indianapolis from 1945 to 1949 and the Cooper Union art school in New York City in 1953 and 1954. Bridwell worked as a commercial artist for a number of years. He tried to get a job as a children’s book illustrator but was unsuccessful until a publishing house editor noticed his drawing of a little girl and a large dog. The editor suggested that Bridwell develop the drawing into a children’s book. The result was Clifford the Big Red Dog (1963), the first story in the series. Bridwell died on Dec. 12, 2014.
