The Big Red Dog is hitting the big screen! It's a race through NYC in this graphic novel based on the new live-action Clifford movie. Emily Elizabeth is struggling to fit in at home and in school when she meets Clifford, a tiny red puppy who is destined to become her best friend. But when Clifford undergoes a magical growth spurt overnight, he attracts the attention of a genetics company looking for a way to supersize animals.
With the help of her Uncle Casey, the people in her neighborhood, and some new friends made along the way, Emily Elizabeth and Clifford have to go on the run across New York City!
This graphic novel adaptation will feature original illustrations and exclusive new scenes and stories not seen in the movie.
Georgia Ball is a writer and developer living in Orlando, Florida. She launched her first webcomic in 2004, Scooter and Ferret, with her husband, artist Scott Ball. The strip ran until 2010 when she landed her first gig writing for licensed comic books. Since then she's written for Transformers, Scooby-Doo, My Little Pony, and Disney Princesses. Her horror credits include four issues of Evil Dead 2.
Recent projects have included Disney's Frozen Comic Collection from Joe Books, three Strawberry Shortcake graphic novels from IDW Publishing and a WWII graphic novel on Guadalcanal for Osprey Publishing. She lives with her husband and daughter with their dog and two cats.
Thanks to Scholastic for the uncorrected proof copy for review consideration.
This was a very enjoyable graphic novel and looks to be a fantastic representation of the upcoming movie (11/5/21) featuring Darby Camp, John Cleese, Sienna Guillory, Tony Hale, David Alan Grier, Horatio Sanz, and many more. While the clear focus of the story is on Clifford's larger-than-life bounds around NYC, the deeper focus is on fitting in, which both Emily and Clifford share (which obviously brings them closer together)... You know, on top of having the world's biggest dog.
I didn't actually grow up on Clifford (I was more of a Berenstain Bears lover myself) but having read this graphic novel, I will definitely be adding more books featuring everyone's favorite Big Red Dog to my daughter's bookshelf.
My only mini-squabbles had to do with gaps in the story where I had to double-check a few times that I didn't miss something in a previous panel or to make sure I didn't skip a page. Not huge for a graphic novel, and especially not for one geared toward a younger audience with 1/4-1/2 the dialogue of the graphic novels I am used to.
I also have to commend Chi Ngo on the illustrations. Really enjoyed the art style.
CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG: THE MOVIE GRAPHIC NOVEL is an exciting graphic novel that brings the new story of Clifford to life for middle grade readers. Containing some new scenes and images, this book tells the story of Clifford, who was lost and alone until he found his way to Emily Elizabeth. Emily Elizabeth is at a private school and feeling all alone - she is made fun of for being on scholarship with other children calling her "Food Stamps." Her mother has to travel for work on her birthday, and her father, who divorced her mother and now lives in Canada, is supposed to visit, though he's less than reliable.
Her Uncle Casey, who is watching her while her mother is out of town, is maybe not super-responsible, and he's not sure how to handle the puppy that shows up, much less when it grows to be ten feet tall overnight. As they navigate owning a pup that size, an evil company takes an interest in Clifford as well and tries to get their hands on him.
What I loved: This was an action-packed book with really fantastic illustrations. The graphic novel is put together beautifully, with most of the story told through the images and speech bubbles. It is really easy to follow and great for a middle grade audience, who will appreciate the ease of reading and vivid illustrations. The story has some lessons about feeling different, friendship, and minor lessons about socioeconomic disparity. The villain was just the right amount of scary and ridiculous to keep the plot moving forward, and I loved the way the community ultimately came together to help Emily Elizabeth and Clifford. This book would be great for fans of the movie or those who just love a great dog story.
Final verdict: An action-filled and fun graphic novel, CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG: THE MOVIE GRAPHIC NOVEL is a great read about friendship, feeling different, and all the joy of owning a very large and conspicuous puppy! Highly recommend for Clifford fans in the middle grade age range.
Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I found this at a thrift store and I bought it for my nephew for the holidays and I wanted to give it a read because it was giving me such nostalgia. I grew up watching Clifford on PBS and was really excited to see this. I did not know there was a movie adaptation and I have not seen it.
this graphic novel is very cute and did throw me a little bit because the original Clifford is from like 2000 and this book is very clearly set in 2021ish or so. we've got smartphones and internet and Spotify and all of that and it was kind of a hilarious retelling of one of my childhood favorites.
The story is definitely a little different in the fact that Emily Elizabeth's parents are divorced and that they stay in New York. I really liked Uncle Casey and it was very cute. it does make me want to go watch the movie adaptation but also to go rewatch the original PBS episodes. I genuinely think my nephew's going to really love it and I hope that he gets a little taste of what his auntie and Mom watched as kids.
I read this book after I saw the movie. I was disappointed that the book left out some of my favorite parts. Some of the characters and scenes are also different. Both the movie and the book ended too abruptly. I was hoping for an extended ending in the book. But the art is cute and colorful throughout.
I'm not a big fan of graphic novels, but I am a big fan of Clifford the Big Red Dog. This graphic novel is more like an extended edition of a regular Clifford book, sure to please both Clifford enthusiasts (like myself) as well as those who like graphic novels.
PRECIOUS. The origin of Clifford is a bit different from the tv show and the books previous to this movie, but I loved the story. The art is awesome and the story is interesting, captivating, and charming. The ending was fabulous. Loved this graphic novel.
Loveddddd it so much! Really brought me back to my childhood and my love for Clifford and all the values and lessons that it portrays. The illustrations were equally as beautiful too! I had an amazing time and will continue to reread and cherish it ☺️♥️
I pre-read this book to possibly read to my students. I don’t think it is one that I will read aloud. It is a cute story but there have been several changes made to the original story.
I absolutely Loved this graphic novel Clifford the big red dog was my favourite book and tv show when I was little.I absolutely love this as a graphic novel.
Very cute! My only issues with this are: 1. Having Clifford in a little apartment seems cruel 2. I miss T-Bone and Cleo (though it looks like Owen's dog might be T-Bone)