Norman Bridwell

norman bridwell was famous for writing the beloved “clifford the big red

dog” books. “the teacher doesn’t like my drawings o my writings. there were

dozens of students who were better than me.” bridwell stated in an interview

with a reporter from scholastic. bridwell had won many awards for writing

children’s books. now bridwell lives in massachusetts.

norman bridwell was born on february 15, 1928 in kokomo, indiana. he was

the son of vern ray and mary leona (koontz) bridwell. “i was not good at sport

and my high school teacher, after a few days of class, took my tools away,

telling me ‘here’s a pad of paper instead. you seem to like to draw: stick to

that.’” bridwell remembered. bridwell went to john herron art institute and

cooper union art school.

norman bridwell wrote the series of “clifford the big red dog”. “bridwell

visited fifteen publishing houses but there were no assignments to be had and

one editor at harper & row went so far as to tell bridwell that his art

itself is not good enough. but amazingly enough, she also made a suggestion that

helped bring him the success he enjoys today. she advised him to write a story

to go along with one of his pictures. she picked out the picture of a little

girl and a horse-sized bloodhound and said, ‘there might be a story in this’ ”

maxx says. bridwell did as he was told. he gave his drawings and writings at

scholastics. three weeks later, a phone call came and the scholastics wanted to

publish bridwell’s books. now bridwell is famous all over the country.

norman bridwell’s writing career was a success. “now there are over 126

million copies of his books in print of 13 languages.” “i dreamed of horses”

says in wikipedia. bridwell had won many awards for writing for children,

including lucky book club/four leaf clover award for author of the year,

scholastics book services’ lucky book club in 1971, and children’s choice award

for best picture book in 1987, jeremiah ludington memorial award, educational

paperback association in 1991. bridwell now lives with his wife, norma, and his

home address is box 869, high st., edgartown, ma 02539. clifford is old too! he

is 50 years old!

norman bridwell was famous for writing the beloved “clifford the big red

dog” books. he was born in kokomo, indiana on february 15, 1928. at the

beginning, no one liked his drawings, but when he turned the drawings into

stories, the publishers all like them! there are over 126 million copies of his

books in print of 13 languages. bridwell started as an average writer in the

beginning, but he worked hard, and finally, he became famous!