Norman Bridwell, Author of CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG, Dies at Age 86

Norman Bridwell, American author and cartoonist best known for the Clifford the Big Red Dog series of children's books, has died at the age of 86.

Bridwell was born in 1928 at Kokomo, Indiana, to Leona and Vern Bridwell. He graduated from Kokomo High Schoolin 1945, and went on to attend John Herron School of Art, in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Cooper Union, in New York City.

By 1962 Bridwell was married to his wife Norma, and they had an infant daughter Emily Elizabeth. Bridwell put together a portfolio and attempted to get a job as an children's book illustrator but was rejected by around fifteen publishing houses. While at Harper & Row, an editor offhandedly suggested he turn one of his drawings into a story. The drawing was of a baby girl and a horse-sized bloodhound, and the story became Clifford The Big Red Dog. That book spawned over 40 best-selling Clifford books, two television series, merchandise, and a live musical.

Bridwell's other successful books include The Witch Next Door, and A Tiny Family. There are over 126 million copies of his books in print in 13 languages.

Norman and Norma Bridwell have resided on Martha's Vineyard since 1969. He died on December 12, 2014, at the age of 86.

Photo Credit: Stuart Ramson/InsiderImages for Scholastic

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