Clifford Gets a Job

Clifford the Big Red Dog

by Norman Bridwell

It only takes a little to be BIG!

Meet Clifford and Emily Elizabeth in an original Clifford book! Clifford is big. Clifford is red. But most of all, Clifford knows how to be a good friend!

While Clifford is a great pet to have around, there's one little problem... he has quite an apetite! In order to pay for his dog food, Clifford decides to get a job.

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, Fiction, Animals, Dogs, Fantasy, Classics

32 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1992

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

[Sean Bean as Zeus in Percy Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but not plausible

[Cynthia Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily Elizabeth's parents can no longer afford to pay for Clifford's dog food. Rather than leave, Clifford decides to get a job.

The journey through Clifford's challenges in the workfield are humorous, and my son burst into laughter once he saw the picture of Clifford running through the farmers barn.

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is about as delusional as Clifford books get. Emily Elizabeth claims Clifford's dog food budget is driving her family to bankruptcy so Clifford tries to get a job in order to pull his own (very considerable) weight. But his job hunting escapades just prove that dog food expenses have to be the least of the family's financial concerns considering the number of lawsuits and insurance claims that must be made against them daily in the wake of Clifford's wave of destruction. He destroys an entire barn and silo at one point!

And for the happy ending he ends up on the police payroll. The cops need to be detaining this menace, not paying him in dog food for undisclosed services. What sort of black ops have been done by Clifford over the decades to ensure the steady supply of food and the cover up or brushing under the rug of his ongoing assault on persons and public and private property?

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this may have taken me quite some time to finish, i find my review of this book will not. Simply put, the idea of a large, building sized dog having a role in the economy is ridiculous- How would they even collect taxes? He's a large dog, surely he cannot file tax returns? Nonetheless, the story is reminiscent of depression era literature of difficultly holding careers, as surely Clifford does not find himself working in the future, so he surely must have been fired- Likely for dog related incompetence. 3/5 stars, Scantily coming close to a passing grade.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

A practical concern: how do you feed a dog this big. Emily Elizabeth's family may not be able to afford to keep Clifford. So it's time for Clifford to start pulling his own weight and get a job. Surprisingly, despite the Clifford at the Circus book, Clifford doesn't do well at the circus. He tries a few other jobs with similar results. What's a big red dog to do?

[Holly · Rating 1 out of 5]

DON'T DO IT CLIFFORD, IT'S A SHAM

[Sierra · Rating 1 out of 5]

never thought they’d turn my boy clifford into a cop, ACAB!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book because it teaches kids about responsibility, Clifford wasn't lazy, he didn't want to just sit but be active. It also shows them that sometimes it takes a couple tries to figure things out.

[Jen Kohel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Title: Clifford Gets a Job
Author/Illustrator: Norman Bridwell
Reading Level: 1.8
Book Level: K-2
Book Summary:
Clifford is a big red dog that lives with Emily Elizabeth. Because of Clifford’s size, he eats a lot of food, and it costs a lot of money to keep him. Emily Elizabeth’s parents want to send Clifford away, but he doesn't want to leave. He decides to look for a job in order to stay at their house.
Bookshelf Genre: Picture Books
Bookshelf Mentor Writing Traits:
Word Choice - The author uses a variety of nouns, verbs, and adjectives throughout the book. When a noun, such as dog, is used in a sentence, there is an adjective attached to the word to describe the size or color. Even though there are illustrations, the reader is able to imagine the dog in real life.
With my students, I would have them analyze their own writing to see if they use a variety of nouns, verbs, and adjectives. I could also do a brainstorming session with my students where we write down as many nouns, verbs, and adjectives that we can think of to use in our writing.

[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.

[Karen Chee · Rating 3 out of 5]

listen, I think it's admirable that Clifford gets a job - there is nothing wrong with honest labor.

I gave this 3 stars bc I don't think people in the book are adequately freaking out about just how huge Clifford is. I mean, this dog is giant. He's humongous. Imagine the largest dog you have ever seen, and now quadruple that. Clifford is even bigger. if we're being honest, Clifford is a freak. if he were real I would probably report him to the FBI

[Le Maistre Chat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was more amused by this early Clifford book than the others in "Clifford Collection", as it deals with the basic economic issue of the premise: keeping Clifford would be at least as expensive as keeping a pet elephant.
I won't spoil the solution Emily Elizabeth's family finds to keeping Clifford, but I was amused by it.

[Milo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely superior compared to the first entry. While the first Clifford book was an introduction, this one was really enjoyable. The plot is that Clifford looks for jobs to pay for his dog food. It reminded me of Clifford's Really Big Movie.

[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. Clifford looks for a job. Cute story.

[Mariella · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t know how to read the book 🙄

[Diane Bateman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kids in my childcare just loved this book and had me read it over a dozen times . It kept them engaged and focused .

[Kelly Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Clifford

[Erth · Rating 5 out of 5]

In order to pay for his dog food, Clifford, a big red dog, decides to get a job.

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clifford is a great literary character and known by millions of people all over the world. His books are great for reading aloud and teaching young kids to read and the magic of storytelling.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun little story. My children and I enjoyed it very much. Good moral, too!

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, Clifford book. Perfect for early readers and it has good illustrations.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy the practicality of Clifford seeking employment to cover his food costs.

[Anna McFarland · Rating 5 out of 5]

The show paints Clifford in such a different light lol

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Child960801 · Rating 4 out of 5]

As you would expect, it costs a lot of money to feed Clifford the Big Red Dog, so he decides to look for a job to help pay the costs. It goes poorly.

[Alyssa Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun book for kids to read, can help children develop problem solving skills.

[Ryann Norris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre Modern Fantasy fiction
Grade k-2
I like how this book has lots of illustrations which allows children to visualize what is happening in the story. I like how this book teaches responsibility. Like the responsibility of having a job and doing well at a job.

[Ting Zhang · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book “Clifford gets a Job” is suitable for use ages 5 to 8 years. This book tell about a little girl by the name of Emily Elizabeth. She has a dog named Clifford. Clifford is a lot of fun to play with. There is one bad thing about Clifford is he eats a lot of food and Emily’s family have already spent all the money for dog food. Therefore, Clifford needs to get a job and pay for his own food. However, Clifford tries many jobs, but things are not going well for him. On the way he returns to his home, Clifford helps police to caught the robbers. The police offered Clifford a job as a police dog. The police do not pay him but they send Clifford many dog food. I like this book because it makes me laugh. It is a very wonderful story. This story us simple for children to remember. It also provides the beautiful images and bright colors. When children listen to this story, they can image what is going to happen if Clifford needs to try another job. The teacher can ask children: “Emily’s family spent all the money they had, how we can help Clifford find a job?” This story encourages children to express their curiosity and imagination.

[Brianna M]

1. The author of the book is Norman Bridwell.

2. The title of the book is Clifford gets a job.

3. The basic premise of the book is how Clifford is a wonderful dog but he's so big and requires a lot of food, which cost a lot of money which can become expensive for his owner. So in order tor him to stay with his owner "Emily", Clifford is dedicated to get a job.

4. I actually enjoyed the book because it was pretty entertaining. Some parts of the book was funny, but I liked how Clifford knew he had to help out, and he was truly willing to accept the responsibility.