Clifford and the Grouchy Neighbors

Clifford the Big Red Dog

by Norman Bridwell

another clifford book

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Dogs, Kids, Fantasy

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Norman Bridwell was an American author and cartoonist, best-known for the Clifford the Big Red Dog series of children's books. Bridwell attended John Herron School of Art in Indianapolis, Indiana. He lived on Martha's Vineyard, MA, where he wrote an average of two books a year.

Reviews

[Erth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The new neighbors don't seem to be pleased about anything Clifford, the big red dog does.

[John Yelverton · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a decent children's story about Clifford the Big Red Dog causing issues with his neighbors. He makes up for his mistakes at the end, but it was a little too simplistic of an ending for me.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book clearly illustrates that we can love a person and want to show that to them, but the way we show it can irritate people and can cause friction between us. What do you think can help facilitate happen endings?

* Talking Points: Clifford does many things that bug other people. Does he do them intentionally? Do you think those who bug you intentionally try to bug you? Do you intentionally try to bug others? If some many things unintentionally what can we do when people bug us? Does staying quiet about our feelings or speaking up about our feelings in a kind way have a better chance of changing the situation for the better?

** Essential Oil Pairing Tip: The book has example after example of where forgiveness could make things better. Grouchy people obviously need to forgive. But many times those who aren't outwardly grouchy also need to forgive as well. We not only need to forgive others, but we also need to forgive ourselves. doTERRA's Forgive essential oil blend is one of my favorites to help me and other work though forgiveness.

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give this Clifford book 5 stars because out of all the Clifford books this one is my personal favorite and is always the one Clifford text I choose to read aloud when introducing the Clifford character to my class.

I've always enjoyed reading this story because the moral of the story is an easy one the kids can understand and relate to.

My group this year really enjoyed it and it was a springboard for a nice group discussion afterwards. Many of the students had different parts they identified as their favorite and a couple students made a personal connection about their own neighbors.

Also, I really like the way Norman Bridwell illustrated the "grouchy" neighbors. I dated a girl in high school who worked at a coffee shop and the couple in this book look identical to a couple that were regulars there. They were grouchy, but I was very fond of them so I always am delighted to take a stroll down memory lane while sharing this book with my class.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Classic character Clifford the Big Red Dog despite good intentions seems to not be able to find a way to befriend his neighbors who seem just a little grouchier than most. Finally after a series of annoyances, Clifford acts in a way to save the neighbors' birds and receive the affection of the formerly grouchy neighbors.

[Alana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I almost would have liked this better if he hadn't won them over in the end. Sometimes people just don't like you and that's OK. Him constantly trying to get close to them is more problematic than their dislike, I think.

[Jc · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good-meaning dog is what everybody wants. Clifford does not disappoint in this story.

[Mira P · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about the time when Clifford gets the grouchy neighbors to like him!
Fun and exciting to read.

[Danielle Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and shows we all have that one neighbor

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clifford wins over his grouchy neighbors by saving the lives of their beloved birds. The kiddo loved this and the illustrations.

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hav liked it

[Sandy Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is our favorite Clifford book!

[Leah G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, simple, classic Clifford book.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aurora (6) and mom (41) loved it. Forrest (6) gave it 0.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading this when I was a kid, and M liked it too.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Read aloud by himself at 4yo, no words missed)

[Phillip Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clifford eventually ingratiates himself to some initially reluctant neighbors.

[TJE · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a favorite Clifford book.

[Rachel Boatright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everyone knows Clifford the big red dog. In this book he has to deal with some grouchy neighbors. This is a book about not everyone liking you. In this book Clifford just wanted to be liked by everyone. Clifford did what all dogs did but sometimes it was just to much for his neighbors to handle sometimes he just wanted to help but he would just make things worse. But one day Clifford was able to help by stopping a cat from getting the neighbors birds they realized that Clifford wasn’t that bad after all. This would be a good book for kids to teach them that even when you try to help out something can go wrong but that doesn’t mean you should even give up being who you are and that you should always try to be helpful. I love the art in Clifford books because they do a great job illustrating what a normal dog would be like but even bigger because sometimes you can forget how difficult being different can be.

[Andy]

[Review by Sarah.]

If you haven't read any Clifford books but have seen the PBS cartoon, you should know that they're not all that similar. The books--other than those based on the show--have a cruder drawing style, and the unfortunately named Emily Elizabeth in particular looks rougher. The differences aren't only cosmetic, either; Clifford is more of a troublemaker in the books, and not only while he's earnestly but clumsily trying to do the right thing. (Not that it's as easy to tell what's going through his mind, since he doesn't talk with his dog friends in the books.) Whether you prefer the "edgier" Clifford (note: not all that edgy) is a matter of taste.

[Amy]

Clifford is an old favorite and very loveable dog. In this book he has trouble getting along with the neighbors. This book could help students learn to walk away from a bad situation when they know that what they do is not going to help. This book also shows that walking away isn't always easy and that even with the best of intentions it doesn't always work out.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clifford appeals to children. These books appealed to my son when I used to read to him at night. Usually at least one of these was in the pile of to-reads every night. (Yes, I read a lot to my son--7 to 10 books a night during his early childhood).

[Vanessa Holzknecht · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book was an alright read but not my favorite. It could definitely be used to teach kids about being yourself and never giving up as well as that people who don't know you that well may still judge you. Different lessons can be pulled from this book.

[Briamber Terrell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I likes this book because it shows how to make grouchy neighbors to be Clifford's friends. The grouchy neighbors don't Clifford to be near them. Clifford tried to make it with them.
My opinion is that Clifford is trying to make it up with them. Clifford is a good dog. The grouchy

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everybody liked Clifford, except for the neighbours across the street. They were grouchy about everything Clifford did. When an incident happens that creates the opportunity where Clifford can help his grouchy neighbours it makes all the difference.

[Satin · Rating 4 out of 5]

-good book overall
-very intersting how a bad situation turned into a very good situation towards the end of the story
-use when teaching a lesson on nieghbors/helping others

[Little Miss and the Legomeister · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the better Clifford books.

The story is cute and I love the old couple. It's occasionally funny.

[Theresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

good early reader, using texet to relate to the television show, a cute childhood story book.

[Sydney Conrad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical clifford story, but the different ways Clifford unintentionally ticks off the grouchy neighbors are funny.