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Covers through the years (Photo Credit: Facebook)
The creator of the famous Clifford the Big Red Dog series has passed away at the age of 86.
Scholastic Books released the news that Norman Birdwell died last Friday on Martha’s Vineyard, his home for the past 40 years.
“He was one of the most popular authors for children ever, and was a gracious, caring friend to all of us at Scholastic,” said the company in a statement. "Clifford arrived at Scholastic in 1963, having been rejected by every traditional children’s publisher, when Beatrice de Regniers, then the editor of Lucky Book Club, and herself a Caldecott winning author, saw Norman Bridwell’s cartoon-like picture book, and knew immediately that Clifford would be adored by children. Together with art director Mary Jane Dunton, she worked with Norman to create a book which quickly became a bestseller on Lucky, then our club for the youngest readers.”
Children all over the world grew up reading the Clifford books as more than 160 titles have been published. The loveable big red dog was kind, respectful, honest and fair. Always sharing a good message, Birdwell will live on through Clifford in the years to come.
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