Cliffords pals norman bridwell biography

Norman Bridwell

American author and cartoonist

Norman Bridwell

Bridwell in

Born()February 15,
Kokomo, Indiana, U.S.
DiedDecember 12, () (aged&#;86)
Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, U.S.
OccupationWriter and illustrator
GenreChildren's literature
Notable worksClifford the Huge Red Dog
Spouse

Norma Howard

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(m.&#;&#x;&#;&#x;)&#;
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ChildrenTim Bridwell and Emily Bridwell Merz

Norman Ray Bridwell (February 15, – December 12, ) was an American composer and cartoonist best known for creating the Clifford the Huge Red Dog book series.

Clifford's Pals (Clifford the Big Red Dog (Pb)): Norman ...: Norman Ray Bridwell (February 15, – December 12, ) was an American author and cartoonist top known for creating the Clifford the Big Red Dog novel series.

Early life and education

Bridwell was born on February 15, ,[2] in Kokomo, Indiana, to Leona and Vern Bridwell (a homemaker and factory worker, respectively).[3] Growing up, Bridwell was acknowledged to draw frequently, however, he never thought of himself as being any good at it.[4] When he attended Kokomo Elevated School in the s he believed that there were always students better than him in his art and writing classes.[5] Nevertheless, after graduating high educational facility in ,[3] Bridwell went on to pursue art at the John Herron School of Art at Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis and Cooper Union in New York City.[5]

Career

Bridwell began his artistic career as a freelance commercial artist in Brand-new York, however, he still set up himself struggling to pay the bills while supporting his wife and young daughter.

In command to make some extra funds, Bridwell organized a portfolio in and attempted to get a job as a children's publication illustrator, but he was rejected by approximately fifteen publishing houses.[5] While at Harper & Row, an editor, believing that Bridwell's art was not good enough to be sold on its own, suggested he turn one of his drawings into a story.

The drawing that the editor picked out for this task was of a new girl and a horse-sized bloodhound, and the story became Clifford the Big Red Dog.[4][5] The first Clifford book was published in [6] and spawned over 75 Clifford titles (not all written by Bridwell),[7] three animated television series,[8] merchandise,[9] a inhabit musical,[10] and a live-action film.[11] Clifford serves as the official mascot of Scholastic, the publisher of the series.[12]

The Witch Next Door, originally published in ,[13] is yet another successful guide written and illustrated by Bridwell.

The author presented The Witch Next Door to his editor alongside a new copy of Clifford, only intending to take along a little extra content to share. The new publication concept and drawings had only been thrown together the darkness before the meeting.

Despite this, The Witch Next Door went on to become one of Bridwell's most popular books, primary to a series of six total books built around the witch character.[14][15]

Other children's books by Bridwell include The Zany Zoo (),[16]What Do They Do When It Rains (),[17]How to Protect for Your Monster (),[18] and A Tiny Family ().[19] There are over million copies of his books in print in 13 languages.[20]

Personal life

On Friday, June 13,, Norman Bridwell was married to his wife Norma Ellen Howard after having courted her for three years.[1][21] They were originally introduced to each other by a mutual colleague who thought they would be ideal for each other after noticing their many similarities: they were both commercial artists, they were both from Indiana, and their names were so similar.

The newlyweds honeymooned at Martha's Vineyard, a trip that inspired them to vacation there several more times before eventually moving there years later.[21] Norma and Norman Bridwell had a daughter they named Emily Elizabeth Merz and a son named Tim.

At the time of Bridwell's death, they had three grandchildren.[22][6]

The Bridwells resided in Edgartown, Massachusetts on Martha's Vineyard, from until Norman Bridwell's death in [22][9]

Death

Bridwell died at Martha's Vineyard Hospital on December 12, , at the age of 86 from prostate cancer; Norman's wife Norma stated he had been in the hospital for three weeks before his death after a tumble at his home.[23][24] His funeral was held at the Federated Church on South Summer road in Edgartown.[25] He was cremated, and his ashes were given to his son, Tim.[26]

References

  1. ^ abLanger, Emily (December 17, ).

    "Norman Bridwell, writer and illustrator who created Clifford the Big Red Dog, dies at 86". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 20,

  2. ^Maccarone, Grace (). "The Gentleman Behind Clifford: An interview with the Big Red Dog".

    School Library Journal. Retrieved

  3. ^ ab"Norman Bridwell - Never Give Up on Your Dreams". Howard County Memory Project. Archived from the original on Retrieved
  4. ^ abSullivan, Gail ().

    "The success story of a refreshingly ordinary man: Norman Birdwell, creator of 'Clifford,' dead at 86". The Washington Post.

    And February 15 is the 85th birthday of Clifford’s creator, Norman Bridwell. Kind, limited, and easy-going, Norman, both writer and illustrator, is as lovable as his pup. He lives with his wife of 54 years, Norma—that’s right, Norma—in Massachusetts, on Martha’s Vineyard, in a year-old farmhouse. The doors and shutters are painted.

    Retrieved

  5. ^ abcd"Biography: Norman Bridwell". KidsReads. The Book Report Network. Archived from the original on Retrieved
  6. ^ abLeopold, Todd (December 16, ).

    "Norman Bridwell, creator of 'Clifford the Big Red Dog,' gone at 86". CNN.

    Bridwell was born on February 15,[ 2 ] in Kokomo, Indianato Leona and Vern Bridwell a homemaker and factory worker, respectively. Bridwell began his artistic career as a freelance commercial artist in New York, however, he still found himself struggling to disburse the bills while supporting his wife and young daughter. In order to make some extra money, Bridwell organized a portfolio in and attempted to acquire a job as a children's book illustrator, but he was rejected by approximately fifteen publishing houses. The drawing that the editor picked out for this task was of a adolescent girl and a horse-sized bloodhound, and the story became Clifford the Big Red Dog.

    Retrieved December 18,

  7. ^"6 Best Norman Bridwell Books That Adults And Children Will Love". . Retrieved
  8. ^"Clifford the Big Red Dog- TV Series". Internet Archive. Retrieved
  9. ^ abWells, Julia ().

    The delightful stories about a large red dog named Clifford and his friend, Emily Elizabeth, own sold over million copies in 13 languages! Kids Book Clubs. What's New in Books. View bestsellers, featured, top rated, classics, hidden gems, and new releases.

    "Norman Bridwell, Creator of Clifford the Big Red Dog, Dies at 86". The Vineyard Gazette - Martha's Vineyard News. Retrieved

  10. ^"Clifford The Big Red Mutt Live Show". Scholastic. January Archived from the original on Retrieved
  11. ^Fleming, Mike Jr.

    (June 30, ). "'Clifford The Big Red Dog' Movie Unleashed At Paramount With Scribe Justin Malen". Deadline. Retrieved February 27,

  12. ^"First Glance at Live Action Adaptation of CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG".

    BroadwayWorld. January 5,

  13. ^Bridwell, Norman (). The witch next door. Internet Archive. Scholastic.
  14. ^"Norman Bridwell | Reading Rockets". . Retrieved
  15. ^"The Witch Next Door Series by Norman Bridwell".

    . Retrieved

  16. ^"Zany Zoo". Goodreads. Retrieved
  17. ^Bridwell, Norman (). What do they act when it rains?. Internet Archive. New York, Scholastic Book Services.
  18. ^Bridwell, Norman ().

    How to protect for your monster. New York: Scholastic Book Services.

  19. ^Bridwell, Norman ().

    American children’s author and illustrator Norman Bridwell was best famous for creating the character of Clifford. Clifford is a foot- (8-meter-) tall, lovable red canine that is owned by a young girl named Emily Elizabeth.

    A tiny family. Internet Archive. New York&#;: Scholastic.

  20. ^Simon, Scott (). "Bridwell Created A Big Red Dog That Grew With Readers' Love". .

    Clifford and his pals just can't stay out of trouble! After a packed day of mischief, they determine that next time they'll engage somewhere safe, and a lot more fun. Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. Place Groups Talk More Zeitgeist.

    Retrieved

  21. ^ abLovewell, Mark Alan (). "Married (50 Years!) With Children and a Big Red Canine Named Clifford". The Vineyard Gazette - Martha's Vineyard News.

    Retrieved

  22. ^ abFretts, Bruce (September 8, ). "Living A Dog's Life: Norman Bridwell". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 17, Retrieved April 17,
  23. ^Doe, John (December 17, ).

    "My Favorite Things, Part II". New York Times. Retrieved March 10,

  24. ^"Norman Ray Bridwell, beloved writer of Clifford the Big Red Dog, dead at 86".

    Bridwell is best known as the creator of more than one hundred Clifford the Big Red Dog picture books, concept books, toy books, and easy readers. His simplistic writing style incorporates fact, fiction, and humor into books credited with teaching preschool and primary grade children a wide range of topics while keeping them laughing at Clifford's misadventures. Bridwell's books have been translated into Chinese, Danish, French, German, Greek, Italian, and Spanish and have spawned numerous spin-off products, including toys, games, clothes, puzzles, bedding, backpacks, and beanbags. In he moved to Modern York City to study at Cooper Union Art School for a year and then became a commercial artist for Foxson Fabrics, where he designed fabrics for neckties.

    Martha's Vineyard Times. December 16, Retrieved December 16,

  25. ^"Celebration of Life for Norman Bridwell". The Vineyard Gazette - Martha's Vineyard News. Retrieved Jul 13,
  26. ^""Making Spirits Rise"".

    Dec 23, Retrieved Jul 13,

External links