Clifford's First Christmas

by Norman Bridwell

Join Clifford as a puppy in this Christmas favorite -- now a board book with foil! On Clifford's first Christmas Eve, he helps the family trim the tree, but even after he's tucked into bed, he just can't sleep. He goes out to investigate, but accidentally falls into Emily Elizabeth's stocking! Who do you think comes to his rescue? Santa, of course!

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Dogs, Holiday

20 pages, Board Book

First published October 1, 1994

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

[Azura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi, I am Azura. I like this book so much you know, because it is Christmas. Emily Elizabeth and Clifford are there, and Santa drops down their chimney and brings lots of presents. Bye!

Azura spoke

[Katie Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clifford's First Christmas is apart of a wonderful series for the beginning readers. These books would be great to use for enjoyment for kindergarten and first grade.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great children's book, good book to read to classroom around holiday season.

[Le Maistre Chat · Rating 3 out of 5]

We have a board book version my 2-year-old got for free, not a paperback version. I don't know if this has been abridged due to the thick pages.
My daughter is falling in love with Clifford, so regardless this was well worth it.
The original Clifford book shows that he started as the runt of the litter before growing to be 20 feet tall (or whatever). This is an 'interquel' to the original, set at his Christmas as a puppy.
The last several pages all foreshadow a giant dog, which was obvious humor but cute.
Santa Claus is real in the Clifford universe and makes Emily Elizabeth and Clifford go to bed because you're not supposed to see him... for reasons unexplained.

[Andrés · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun romp with Clifford and Emily Elizabeth. I didn't realize there was another book about Clifford as a puppy in addition to Clifford the Small Red Puppy, which I also enjoyed. This 1994 has some nostalgia that still feels timeless, and we get to experience many Christmas traditions plus a visit from the big guy.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for kids who already like Clifford. Art isn't great, but it's good. Story isn't anything special, but it's alright. If you have any qualms about Santa, be warned this story does contain Santa. If you don't care, then disregard warning.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

My two youngest kiddos are obsessed with Clifford right now so I like to add in my old Clifford books, too. This isn’t the best of the series, but it’s fun and over the top as Clifford stories often are. And everybody loves a rolly polly red puppy!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a lot of slapstick humour. A hit for the kindergarten crowd.

[Kristen Dutkiewicz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emily Elizabeth shares the story of her first Christmas with Clifford, when he was only a puppy.

[Marion Abbott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything you come to expect from a Clifford book, but with the charm and magic of Christmas thrown in for good measure. A great treat for all Clifford fans.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about Clifford, the big red dog is always a winner, but how special is this one to have and share at Christmas time?

[Marilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alissa liked to read 3 or 4 pages, go back 1 or 2 pages, read a few more and go back. She really liked it when Clifford fell in Emily's stocking.

[Luis Fe Domínguez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Para niños norteamericanos y amantes de perros la idea está genial, para otros niños donde santa es una realidad ausente no es atractivo y ya esta.

[Katrina Tangen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute--Clifford makes me happy!

[Melissa C · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️

[Emily Prior · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Clifford books!

[Rolf · Rating 3 out of 5]

A perfectly average Clifford book.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

When my mom was pregnant with my sister, the nurse was named Emily Elizabeth! My parents asked if people ask about Clifford books, and she said “ Yes! All the time! So I just think that’s cool!

[Little Seesaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

These pictures are so cute of little clifford. It is pretty clever kids will love it.

[Blaire Broschat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorites when I was a kid and now I am able to read it to my daughter.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute. Made me think about Yuna's first Christmas.

[Melenia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty cute

[Adrianne Rosal · Rating 5 out of 5]

My grandbaby loved how small Clifford was compared to now.

[Johanna Florez · Rating 4 out of 5]

need to flag this one as an example of an unreliable narrator and how broader context informs your interpretation of the text

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clifford was a tiny puppy on his first Christmas and had funny things happen to him because he was so small. Santa even rescued him. Cute story and illustrations.

[Andrew Stockle · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Clifford’s First Christmas” is a book in the “Clifford the Big Red Dog” series. As the book begins the reader is introduced to Emily Elizabeth and her big red dog “Clifford”. The reader is then taken on a journey through Clifford’s first Christmas and all of the mischief, fun, and presents that were had. This series was one of my favorites as a child, it is perfect for young readers. The pictures take up the whole page with the text placed at the bottom. If the child cannot read, the pictures will suffice to help them understand what is going on. This book is easy to handle and is nice and small, a child with small hands could hold it without any problem. I would use this book as a fun way to introduce Christmas into the classroom.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is more of a picture book than a 'story' book...the wording is very basic and would be an easy 'beginning reading book' where a child could learn the words they wouldn't know on their own then be proud because they could read it :) Tells of Clifford's first Christmas and how tiny and scared he was of the various decorations and how he pretended to be huge with Emily's presents only to figure out later in life he was that huge puppy he dreamed of.

[Lucia Benzor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clifford, you never let me down! You will always be a good read. Sweet, funny little Clifford. I can hardly resist you as a puppy. A child who loves Christmas and puppies will love it, which is to say pretty much any child. Illustrations just the same as the others and that's fine with me.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, Clifford! I love these stories. This one is about his first Christmas and how he loves to venture around scoping things out! It is not a religious book so any kid could read it. However, I still don't understand how Clifford gets so big. Haha.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great holiday book. For students who celebrate Christmas this book would be very interesting to them. It is not a religious story so many students could probably read it.