Clifford's Spring Clean-Up

Clifford the Big Red Dog

by Norman Bridwell

Clifford the Big Red Dog helps the family spring clean the house and participates in an Earth Day project, with some surprising results.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Dogs, Kids, Spanish Literature

32 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1997

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

[Schizanthus Nerd]

Clifford as a self help book? Allow me to explain.

I’ve had Clifford’s Spring Clean-Up waiting patiently to be read since well before Christmas and I have noticed an interesting phenomenon. Each time I pass by and glance at the cover my brain automatically wanders into ‘what can I clean/tidy/organise?’ territory. My Pavlovian ‘I watched a Hoarders episode’ response has been replicated and I’ve been on a dusting, reorganising and purging kick ever since. So, thank you, big red dog!

In Clifford’s Spring Clean-Up, Emily Elizabeth’s family (including Clifford) spend the day spring cleaning. First they work on their home and yard, where Clifford helps as only he can, with plenty of oops moments and the cutest expressions when things don’t quite go according to plan. Then Emily Elizabeth and Clifford help out her friends with their Earth Day Project before returning home so Clifford can clean his kennel.

As usual, Clifford is gorgeous, the story and illustrations are wonderful, and Emily Elizabeth’s parents are saintly as nothing Clifford accidentally destroys is a problem. They just get on with it and fix or clean up Clifford’s ‘helpful’ messes. Clifford books are always winners and this one’s no different! ❤️

[Joan]

It’s time for spring cleaning and Clifford wants to help Emily Elizabeth. But, somehow, his help doesn’t quite work out until Clifford and Emily Elizabeth go to the corner to help their friends with a special Earth Day project. After they finish cleaning the corner lot, they plant a garden. When Clifford and Emily Elizabeth return home, Clifford spring-cleans his house and everyone is happy.

This gentle tale follows a predictable path for Clifford stories: there’s a problem, Clifford tries to help, things go awry, but, in the end, Clifford helps to make everything right. It’s a perfect story for young readers who are learning to predict outcomes in literature; the full-color illustrations support the telling of the tale.

The story helps young readers understand the importance of Earth Day and shows them why it’s important to take care of the Earth. A short “About Earth Day” page follows the story and provides information on the day for the young reader. Parents should be prepared to discuss Earth Day activities with their children and perhaps help them plan a special project they might do together.

Recommended.

[Angie]

Synopsis: "In this all-new adventure, he's hard at work getting the house clean. When Emily Elizabeth airs out some throw rugs, he grabs the living room carpet and gives it a good shake--in fact, he shakes it to pieces! What Clifford does best is help clear out the weeds for the vacant lot on Earth Day."

My Review: We are in full spring cleaning mode in our house and I was looking for a book to encourage Munchkin's help. Clifford tries to help but ends up making a mess, that is until he finds the perfect job for him. It is a fun book that combines the normal spring cleaning chores with some outside spring activities and a little Earth Day as well. Munchkin enjoyed Clifford's antics and seems to be excited about spring projects.

[Kristen]

I liked that this book focused on cleaning up and also on cleaning up the environment. It's a good lesson for kids. Start them early on not hording and making huge messes. They also need to learn how to keep the environment clean - I'm not a tree hugger by any means, but it infuriates me when I see litter and such. Such a simple way to help improve the Earth.

My daughter just enjoys Clifford books. It's seriously what we've been reading before bed about 90% of the time the past month. I didn't know there were SO many Clifford books. At least I've only re-read one of them so far.

[Chris Vann]

I remember this book from a while ago. When I say a while ago I mean like 2nd grade. These books were very popular back in the day. Well, back in my day. I would recommend this book to all ages because you can never get tired of reading classics. They are very interesting when your young and have the reading log you have to complete by the end of the week.

[Patricia]

En este libro Clifford está tratando de ser útil, pero termina por no ser útil en todo al principio. Una vez que encuentra lugares donde un perro grande de color rojo puede ser de gran valor, él es el mejor ayudante que nunca.

[Sagan]

Kid's Review: "I like the hair on the window!"

From Mom: He liked this little Earth Day book so much a few months ago I didn't notice he got it out twice in the same week from two different libraries this time.

[Pamela Powell]

I LOVE the Clifford books and this one was fun as usual. Clifford helps with spring cleaning with less than stellar results. The book ends with a page of information about Earth Day. My preschool class loved it in library today!

[Stacey]

THIS IS A GOOD BOOK

[Jaime]

Clifford wants to help clean-up with his tail, ears, and tongue. Oh boy! The fun is just starting in this delightfully wacky children's book.

[Samantha]

Clifford es un perro muy útil. Él ayuda a todo el mundo con la limpieza de primavera, aunque las cosas no salen tan bien.

[Alexandria K]

Me gustaría poder limpia para la primavera. Me gustaría que mi perro podía hacer algo, pero no tengo un perro.

[Tracy Gier]

Good book... My students loved it more every day

[↜ƈɦǟռ☂ɛℓℓɛ↝]

Clifford helps get the family's house ready for spring

[Johara Almogbel]

Only psychopaths hate Clifford. Seriously.

[Rachel Yuska]

It's a great book to teach kids to learn how to tidy up. Too bad Indonesian kids are not familiar with Earth Day and spring.

[K.C.]

C.

[Aaron Wong]

Bridwell, N. (1997). Clifford's spring clean-up. New York: Cartwheel Books.

[Danielle Williams]

Sweet

[Lynnette]

It's always good to encourage people to clean up and take care of their communities, but this felt heavy on the earth day propaganda. Pictures are classic Clifford and it was very easy to read aloud to my 22 month old because there weren't many words on each page.

[Anthony]

Clifford the Big Red Dog pitches in to help with Spring cleaning to include the house, and the neighbors on their neighborhood Earth Day Project.

[Carolyn Jeziorski]

Decent read aloud for Earth Day. I like the idea of going out and cleaning up an empty lot as a project. Engaging for very young kids (3 and 4 year olds).

[Cara]

Clifford wants to help with the spring cleaning around the house and ecides to clean his dog house afterwards

[Kelly Chester]

Another great book love Clifford

[Miss Sarah]

A preschool and up about Clifford the big red dog and his family of humans cleaning up their yard and house for spring. nice Earth day mention.

[KhiN’Millie Friesen]

Clifford wasn't very good at cleaning but he was helpful - Khi 3

[Molly]

Clifford helps Emily Elizabeth and her family with spring cleaning but isn't as helpful as they would like.

[Adam]

(read aloud by himself at 5yo, two words missed, ‘method’ and ‘vacant’.)

[Marilyn Johnson]

Clifford the big red dog has been with us for many years and continually teaches its readers how to be better. In this all-new adventure, he's hard at work getting the house clean. When Emily Elizabeth airs out some throw rugs, he grabs the living room carpet and gives it a good shake--in fact, he shakes it to pieces! What Clifford does best is help clear out the weeds for the vacant lot on Earth Day.

[Lynn Davidson]

Clifford and Emily Elizabeth work together to do their spring cleanup, extending their efforts into the community when asked to help. On the last page of the story are suggestions for how to contribute to Earth Day.