Clifford at the Circus

Clifford the Big Red Dog

by Norman Bridwell

Everyone's favorite Big Red Dog hits the big top, but this is no time for clowning around!

The circus is in town, and everything is going wrong! Emily Elizabeth and Clifford offer to help. But after taming the lions, walking the tightrope and filling in for an elephant, Clifford no longer needs to save the circus—he needs to rescue Emily Elizabeth! See how they join the circus acts and work together to save the show—and the day!

Meet Clifford and Emily Elizabeth. Clifford is big. Clifford is red. But most of all, Clifford knows how to be a good friend! Like other dogs, Clifford sometimes chases cars; unlike other dogs, Clifford catches them. Like other dogs, Clifford digs in the garden; but while other dogs may dig up a few flowers, Clifford can dig up a whole tree. Also like other dogs, Clifford chases cats—big cats, like lions! When Clifford messes up, he messes up big time!

Laugh and giggle with this original Clifford book!—in 1963, Norman Bridwell published his very first 'Clifford' book, and kids have loved him ever since. He's an adorable dog whose well-meaning bumbling's have great kid-appeal. Clifford is Emily Elizabeth's, and everyone's, favorite big red dog!

Age Rating: 1–6+ / Preschool - Kindergarten+ / Lexile AD180L

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

Library Binding

First published January 1, 1977

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

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clifford manages to help out at a circus with a minimum of chaos and destruction, but the final rescue is breathtakingly ridiculous, starting with the fact that apparently the grand finale of the circus was for the audience to shuffle out of the tent and watch the ringmaster rise in a tethered hot-air balloon.

[Pickles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iconic.

[Erth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The big dog hits the big top and this is no time for clowning around. Clifford needs to save the circus and rescue Emily Elizabeth.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter asked me to get this book for her when she saw it advertised on the back of a different Clifford book. I had put it on hold so she didn't know I'd gotten it until we were checking out and she was so excited, "Mommy, you found it!". HAHA. So naturally it was the book she picked for bedtime last night.

This was a really cute book. My daughter hasn't been to the circus yet, so some of it went over her head I think. But she loves zoo animals, so she loved seeing elephants and lions. She thought it was really funny when Clifford put on an elephant suit!

Clifford tries helping out the circus and of course havoc ensues. I always like the Clifford series because it will have a sentence indicating that something went awry, and then the illustration shows what happened. It really helps kids read words and look at pictures to get the whole story.

Both my daughter and I really enjoyed this one. If I stumbled across this book, I would purchase it for her.

[Davis Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 7 year old recently borrowed this book from our local library.

The circus has come to town. It is up to Clifford and Emily Elizabeth to save the day. They must help the circus with their acts. Clifford and Emily Elizabeth have lots of fun helping the circus.

My son really liked this book. He is a huge Clifford fan. He needed very little help with reading it.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love reading novels to my children, especially when they are ones that promote more reading to my kids, because they relate to something that they already know and enjoy- like a popular kid's TV show. However, I have found that the older my son gets, the more he's beginning to realize when they just don't make since.

The ending in each of these Clifford stories were abrupt and sudden, and some of the things that Emily E. and Clifford were doing just didn't make since (like playing with bear cub?). When my five year-old and point out to me that that was dangerous, I know that something just doesn't add up the way I expected it too. I love the show, they are thought out and well done; however, I felt like a few pages had been taken out each of the stories so they were all incomplete.

[Bekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of many Clifford The Big Red Dog books. He is a very exceptional character, first of all because of his size. Second of all, he is a very smart and helpful dog. In this story, Clifford helps save the circus. The circus is having many problems, such as sick elephants, lions not listening, and no gun powder. Clifford helps with everything and makes the circus fantastic. But then the grand finale goes wrong, and the rope on the hot air balloon breaks, and clifford has to save Emily Elizabeth and the circus man.
This book is wonderful, as are all Clifford books. It is very good for young readers, because it doesn't have a lot of words, and most of the story is shown by the illustrations. I would give this story 5/5 stars because every kid enjoys Clifford, the big loving red dog.

[Lix · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don’t ask why I read this. I was bored and tired halfway through a thick novel, so I grabbed a kids’ book from the library and read it between reading sessions. That’s it. That’s the explanation.

As an adult, I honestly don’t get what the moral’s supposed to be. Big red dog goes to the circus, things happen, everyone's happy.

Meh, I was just having fun and resting my brain for a bit 🗿.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Clifford and Emily Elizabeth were not getting in trouble at the 🎪 I also think it was best! I think they were best at the circus and Clifford stopped the 🤡 by entering the scene and dressing up as a 🤡 and they drove home by 🚘



(read aloud by himself at 4yo, one word missed, ‘finale’)

[LadyHague · Rating 5 out of 5]

Circus unit study 8/30/24
Clifford comes to the circus and is needed to help every act!
Good display of color, representation of a variety of acts, and Clifford makes good solutions.

In the end he rescues his girl in the grand finale. A little extreme…but it’s Clifford.

[Kelli Santistevan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this on YouTube and this was so much fun to listen to. I enjoyed this book.

[L.M. Elm · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a Clifford book. Pretty much sums up the expectation. Easy to read and comprehend for the littlest reader.

[Danielle Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and funny

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah to suspend disbelief for a few moments. Cute story.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dated, obviously. Clifford does every job at the circus. Basically the same joke on every page.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grandchildren loved it. Can't get enough of Clifford books.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clifford and Emily Elizabeth “help” a traveling circus put on their show.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another cute story about Emily Elizabeth and Clifford. My children and I enjoyed it lots!

[Bre-Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique and silly. Definitely something to make us chuckle, regardless of age.

[Naomi towns · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book I think this is a great book. My faverite part is when he commands the lions and tigers. I also like the part when Clifford dressed like a elephant.

[Mercedes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook, and it was awesome. I loved hearing the sound effects, circus music, and the narration.

[Anna Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read with Kaylynn 10 apr 2024

An older version of Clifford, helping the circus have a great time in Emily's hometown. Much excitement and surprises happen with a very big dog.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genuinely curious if they had to whip up Clifford's Elephant costume or if they just had that lying around.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I unironically laughed at this book.

[Marc Pagliuca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gigantic red dog sounds like it would fit in perfect at a circus.

[Mr H · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not good darl.
There’s no flow to this book whatsoever, no joining words to continue sentences, it’s just constant short sentences. Stop, start, stop, start, not enjoyable to read.

[Anna McFarland · Rating 5 out of 5]

All eyes on me in the center of the ring just like a circus

[Child960801 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily Elizabeth and Clifford help out a circus.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute story about Clifford and the circus. Clifford and Emily Elizabeth see the circus is in town and needs help, so they decide to see what they can do. Clifford ends up in many various parts of the show, doing all he can to make the circus a success!!!

I always loved Clifford books and recently read this one for a story time. The children seemed to enjoy this one a great deal as well.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I don't like real circuses for many of my own reasons, the circus Clifford went to is an exception. In fact, Clifford is the star of the show when he comes to the rescue. He helped out with the lions, the elephants, the clowns, and in the end rescued a very important person.
Although I have to admit, it isn't safe for anyone to use a telephone wires for slingshots, even for big red dogs.