Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell

“I have a big red dog. Accept the reality in which I live.”

I’ve been avoiding Clifford all these years. Why? Because I always remembered the book as dull. So you’ve gotta hand it to Kate. Thanks to her we find far more to talk about concerning Clifford than I ever thought possible. From Emily Elizabeth’s fashion sense to why you wouldn’t want to camp under his jowls to the logistics of pouring hot tea on your dog’s tongue, this book is rife with possibilities. But don’t ask us. Just ask Kate’s dog Kodak for his opinion:

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Show Notes:

I feel a little bad that I cut Kate off mid-way through her section on why some people rate kneecaps while others are missing them. I feel like there might be a whole tiered system here that’s worth exploring.

I think that I shall never see / a scooter slash soapbox derby . . .

Though I make the claim (and stand by it fully) I’ve found no concrete evidence that the art in this book was updated in the 1980s. However, to back up my case, here’s the original cover. The prosecution rests, your honor:

“Oh, look. He knocked down a gendarme. For some reason.”

I do not recommend this method of camping. You can actually see the saliva start to pool. That campfire’s about to be thoroughly put out in a second here.

This is a PATIENT dog! He’s just taking it, when he does not have to! Chocolate and hot tea to the tongue? Looks like someone wants to see if she can make an ex-Clifford.

Kate’s right. In a situation such as this, a mop would make a lot more sense. “No one said she was smart, Kate!”

Sorry, though. I just love her fashion sense.

And those ARE roller derby socks. My evidence? These are listed as “Roller Derby Apparel”:

Which begs the obvious question, WHY are the socks not on the COVER?!?!

I managed to find an image of the stuffed Clifford at NYPL here, but it’s a copyrighted photo so I can’t reproduce it.

And because I simply cannot resist, here is some Clifford fan art by sandra that you may purchase here, if you’re so inclined:

Filed under: Fuse 8 n' Kate