Clifford's Pals - Audio

Clifford the Big Red Dog

by Norman Bridwell

Another classic Clifford tale for beginning readers.

Format: Paperback book and CD

Clifford and his pals just can't stay out of trouble, but that's what they get for playing around a construction site! Though Clifford ruins a wrecking ball and bashes in a bulldozer, he also saves his friends from wet cement and a boulder avalanche. After a full day of mischief, Clifford and his pals decide that next time they'll play somewhere safe, and a lot more fun.

NARRATED by Stephanie D'Abruzzo

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Dogs, Animals, Friendship, Fiction, School

40 pages, Audio CD

First published September 1, 1982

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]

I first read the Clifford books to my daughter 20 years ago when she was two, and while re-reading them I have remembered the general story structure -- giant Clifford causes chaos and destruction before an unlikely happy ending -- but I had forgotten that Bridwell had actually tried to establish a supporting cast of characters, giving little roles to Emily Elizabeth's parents and Clifford's family of dogs. And this book introduces all his dog friends who return in the book I read out of publishing order a few days ago, Clifford’s Birthday Party.

I'm curious to see if they turn up again as I go through my Clifford collection over the coming weeks, but it might be best if they don't since they are a bad influence on Clifford in this book, peer pressuring him into playing with them on an unsafe construction site. All sorts of destruction occurs and there are several brushes with death, but it's okay because they tell the kids in the audience to not do what they just did, y'know, no matter how exciting it might have seemed.

It's possible to do a reading of this book from the construction workers' point of view where they are attacked by a dangerous monster who causes hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage. They fight back and capture the beast, but it escapes them and justice as it disappears down the street with its pack of hench-dogs, perhaps one day to return and vex them again. Bad dog, Clifford!

[Asho · Rating 2 out of 5]

L picked this out at the library, undoubtedly because it has a ton of puppies on the cover. She LOVES dogs, hence her attraction to the books about Clifford the Big Red Dog.
I wasn't impressed with this Clifford book. I will admit I often don't enjoy Clifford books very much (for reasons I can't quite put my finger on), but I liked this even less than I usually like them. It bugged me that the dogs mess up the construction site but then there are really no consequences. The construction workers are depicted as the bad guys that Clifford needs to be rescued from, yet they're just trying to do their dang job. Meanwhile, the dogs that messed everything up get to trot back to the school yard scot-free.
All that said, L really does enjoy Clifford and liked telling me about the puppy pals and which one was her "fabe-it". So it is well worth reading it to her.

[Ali Book&Seaglasshunter · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m not a huge fan of Clifford books, but this one is the worst so far. Clifford and his dog friends get into tons of trouble at a construction site, wrecking things and making messes. Clifford says that he knows they shouldn’t be getting into things, but he goes along with the group anyways, not really a great role model for kids. We talked about how you should speak up if you see someone doing something dangerous or destructive and that you shouldn’t go along with something just because the rest of the group says so.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Clifford as a kid and had a lot of the books thanks to elementary school Scholastic book orders. By junior high, though, I had forgotten about the big red dog. Thankfully my parents held on to all my old Clifford books, and for Christmas last year they sent me home with them for my kids to enjoy. So many fond memories! Somehow these books have become hilarious to me now that I'm an adult; I took maybe a little too much pleasure in Clifford and his friends playing at a construction site. A nice learning moment for the kids, and a fun read overall.

[Mallory · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clifford's pals are up to some deadly escapades in this installment of the Big Red Dog. I'm not usually one to critique the plausibility of a children's story book adventures but every page I felt the need to say "and don't do this. You would die.". That aside, the kid liked it.

[Emily Knickerbocker]

It talks about Clifford, the big red dog, and his doggie friends, but his friends are playing where they can get hurt, and Clifford has to save them. I would have the students write a sentence or two about a time they had to tell someone not to do something because they could get hurt.

[Jodee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have to watch out for those friends. They don't always make the wisest of decisions.

[Danielle Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friendship

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book in the Clifford the Big Red Dog series. Cute and fun.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Clifford the big red dog.

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good Clifford story.

[Greg S · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t like the writing: it’s full of old timey diction that don’t need reviving.

My six-year-old couldn’t really follow it nor cared enough to.

[Christy Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this from a neighbor for my nephew.

Clifford and his pals learn that it's not a good idea to play in a construction site. It was cute and fun.

[Marc Pagliuca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clifford and his delinquent dog friends are a menace to society. Costing taxpayers an obscene amount of money with their shenanigans.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

(read aloud by himself at 5yo, no words missed)

[#KindnessTrioLibrary Librarian]

Donations to the #KindnessTrioLibrary 2021

BCID : 968-16192890

[Julie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clifford's Pals
Audio version has turn page sounds and last section does not offer them.
Clifford the red dog and Elizabeth takes care of him. He waits for her after school but gets tired one day and found new dog pals to play with.
Ball at a construction area looks like fun but it's a wrecking ball. Paint spills on them...
Always mishaps with Clifford...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kids like this one and I actually had a student learn something valuable from this book, but I was ready to fall asleep reading it out loud to them. This one is a snoozer! Clifford and his friends run around, get into trouble by construction guys-- that are not even hot I might add and then the dogs go home, learning not to play on construction sites. Booorring!

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the first Clifford book I didn't like. It reads almost like a Curious George book. Clifford and his friends go play at a construction site and get into a tremendous amount of trouble. The Kindergarteners liked it okay, but I was not a fan. If you are looking for a clifford book like this one, choose Clifford's Family instead.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about Clifford and his puppy pals getting into trouble and danger at a construction site. It shows several bad things that can happen and why construction sites should be avoided. Pretty standard Clifford book.

[DivaDiane SM · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is pretty cute. I loved Clifford as a kid and it's fun to introduce my son to him. Clifford and his Pals get into all sorts if mischief. No real consequences but no matter. They decide in the end that a construction site is perhaps not the best place to play!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clifford's friends rescue him from trouble. His friends are normal sized dogs.

[Cws]

JEAR2-Bri

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to demonstrate good friendships. Clifford and his friends get in a lot of mischief where Clifford comes to everyone elses rescue. Later his friends come to his rescue.

[Theresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

good early reader, using texet to relate to the television show

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is less about Clifford's pals and more about the trouble he causes at a construction site (inadvertently, of course!)

[Dorian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book to use about how you shouldn't do some things, just because your friends are. It's a fun little book, and that kind of discussion is important for kids to have.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clifford hangs out with his pals, but one day they get into trouble going where they should not be. Clifford has to help them get out of trouble. There is a CD with this book.

[Rose]

E Bri