Norman Bridwell, Creator of ‘Clifford the Big Red Dog’ Books, Dies at 86

new york times ^ | DEC. 16, 2014 | BRUCE WEBER

[Morgana]

Norman Bridwell, the creator of Clifford the Big Red Dog, a figure who looms as large in toddler lit as the great white whale does in the American canon, died on Friday in Oak Bluffs, Mass., on Martha’s Vineyard. He was 86.

Kyle Good, a spokeswoman for Scholastic Books, which over the past half-century has published dozens of Clifford titles by Mr. Bridwell, confirmed his death without specifying a cause. Mr. Bridwell’s wife of 56 years, Norma, told The Associated Press that he had prostate cancer and that he had been in the hospital for three weeks after a fall at his Martha’s Vineyard home in Edgartown.

[BigEdLB]

Rufus thanks all his new fans... :)

[trisham]

How sad. Rest in peace, Mr. Bridwell.

[the OlLine Rebel]

Clifford is on one of the channels regularly. I think PBS, not sure because we just record DVR these days and scoot through all commercials....

[stylecouncilor]

My 2 1/2 year old is watching Clifford on Netflix as I type this. We’ve also been enjoying the Clifford Christmas book the last couple of weeks. She loves that big red dog!

[Impy]

RIP, I recall those books from childhood, I didn’t know they started in the 60’s.