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Clifford the Big Red Dog
The Big Itch
Another beginning reader about everyone's favorite Big Red Dog, based on an episode from the award-winning TV show.
Clifford can't stop scratching an itch on his back. He even rubs his back against an apple tree--until all the apples fall! Emily Elizabeth wants to take him to the vet, but he doesn't want to go. Finally he learns to trust her, and the vet helps make it all better. Funny and touching, this Big Red Reader is just right for beginning readers.
Clifford can't stop scratching an itch on his back. He even rubs his back against an apple tree--until all the apples fall! Emily Elizabeth wants to take him to the vet, but he doesn't want to go. Finally he learns to trust her, and the vet helps make it all better. Funny and touching, this Big Red Reader is just right for beginning readers.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 4, 2022
My daughter was a toddler shortly after the Clifford animated series debuted on PBS so we've accumulated a lot of books tied into that show. This one has Alison Inches and Robbin Cuddy making a reader out of "An Itchy Patch" (Season 1, Episode 7, September 12, 2000, original television script by Anne-Marie Perrotta and Tean Schultz).
Clifford has an itch, but he'd rather keep trying various ways to scratch it than go to the veterinarian to see what's causing it. It's a dull but decent story addressing anxiety about visiting the doctor.
Clifford has an itch, but he'd rather keep trying various ways to scratch it than go to the veterinarian to see what's causing it. It's a dull but decent story addressing anxiety about visiting the doctor.
August 19, 2026
Clifford has a compulsive itching problem. The book, which is apparently adapted from the TV show, frames this as a crippling addiction that harms Clifford and everyone around him. The examples extend as far as obstructing traffic and endangering a school bus full of children. He also nearly capsizes a yacht.
My only problem with this portrayal is that I am not convinced that Clifford’s behavior to harmful to HIMSELF, which is why his family is concerned. Of course, we know dogs should not scratch themselves (or take addictive substances at that), but I would have liked to see Clifford come to a self realization of his bad habit. As it stands, only medical treatment, and not actual inner change, solves Clifford’s problem.
Clifford’s friends tell him to, under no circumstances, visit the vet. I can only conclude that this is a stand-in metaphor for rehab, and Clifford’s friends enable his self destructive behavior. These are some deep themes but Allison Inches makes no effort to elaborate on them. We never even see Clifford’s friends again. Although I can see how this may have been intentional, as symbolized by Clifford finding a new friend in his vet, Dr. Dihn.
But I could be misreading it. Given that Clifford the Big Red Dog is an American book, Clifford’s refusal to get help from the “vet” also reflects contemporary fears around a flawed healthcare system that fails to support the financially challenged. However, I doubt this. After all, what kind of health insurance does Clifford’s family have that permits a CEMENT TRUCK of itching cream to be immediately delivered to him??
Maybe next time Clifford will learn that his problems don’t stem from his addictions but rather his actions in response to them.
My only problem with this portrayal is that I am not convinced that Clifford’s behavior to harmful to HIMSELF, which is why his family is concerned. Of course, we know dogs should not scratch themselves (or take addictive substances at that), but I would have liked to see Clifford come to a self realization of his bad habit. As it stands, only medical treatment, and not actual inner change, solves Clifford’s problem.
Clifford’s friends tell him to, under no circumstances, visit the vet. I can only conclude that this is a stand-in metaphor for rehab, and Clifford’s friends enable his self destructive behavior. These are some deep themes but Allison Inches makes no effort to elaborate on them. We never even see Clifford’s friends again. Although I can see how this may have been intentional, as symbolized by Clifford finding a new friend in his vet, Dr. Dihn.
But I could be misreading it. Given that Clifford the Big Red Dog is an American book, Clifford’s refusal to get help from the “vet” also reflects contemporary fears around a flawed healthcare system that fails to support the financially challenged. However, I doubt this. After all, what kind of health insurance does Clifford’s family have that permits a CEMENT TRUCK of itching cream to be immediately delivered to him??
Maybe next time Clifford will learn that his problems don’t stem from his addictions but rather his actions in response to them.
October 20, 2018
I've loved Clifford since I was a young girl, way before the PBS cartoon. Now my kids get to enjoy him too. We all love the Clifford books and this one was no exception.
October 1, 2016
megan summer reading 2016, children's book, leveled reader, easy reader, clifford the big red dog, series, tv tie-in, first grade, second grade
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2013
This was a cute story about Clifford having a big itch and not wanting to go to the vet. He tries to hide his itch from Emily, his owner, as long as possible but eventually is forced to go. His friends are also helping him hide it because they are also scared for him to go to the vet. He discovers there was nothing to be afraid of and that the vet actually helped him. I think children could relate going to the vet to going to the dr. Therefore this could send the message to children that going to the dr. is a good thing rather then a bad thing. The pictures and words are relatively simple. This makes this book great for beginning readers. I think it is important to have these types of books in a classroom library because it could be read by readers at many levels. Overall this story is cute and sends a great message.
February 1, 2011
Our girls enjoy reading books in the Clifford series. They are starting to outgrow the books, but for now they still admit they like them. This is a good story about being afraid to go to the doctor (or in this case, vet). It shows that doctors are kind and helpful. Good, simple narrative for beginning readers and colorful illustrations highlight this tale. The illustrations are from the PBS Kids television show and, thank heavens, Emily Elizabeth does not have her soulless eyes as she typically does in the original books by Norman Bridwell.
January 20, 2016
Clifford has a big itch that he tries to get rid of on his own, he is afraid of seeing the new vet. But in the end the vet is very nice and he sees it's not that bad and feels much better. This book is very easy read so would be okay for a beginner reader.
October 9, 2009
I like how T-bone reassured Cleo that Clifford is not Alone at the vet's office. "...she would never let anyone hurt him," said T-bone.
I like this book...it just made me feel itchy :)
May 31, 2016
The Big Itch
Inches, Alison
continuation of the Clifford series
Inches, Alison
continuation of the Clifford series
August 2, 2013
Clifford has a problem that most dogs do but he uses other things to scratch against, houses, garages, etc. This is a funny adventure.
August 12, 2016
Surprisingly, this one wasn't NEARLY as stupid as most of the other Clifford books that are based on the TV show.
February 27, 2014
It was an amusing read. I remember watching the episode version of this when I was small, good old memories. :)
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January 29, 2015An amazing book for children and parents.
August 17, 2016
I appreciated the "Do you remember" questions at the end of the story.
Helpful to make kids think back through what they just read or heard.
Helpful to make kids think back through what they just read or heard.
December 2, 2016
Clifford is always good to read aloud to young children. He's funny, helpful, and of course, terribly cute.
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August 23, 2008isbn,original
June 1, 2013
We love any book about Clifford the BIG RED DOG! :)
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews