Independent reading level (PK-2)

All the invited guests for Clifford's birthday blow it off because they don't think their presents are good enough. Emily Elizabeth drags them to the party anyway, and most of their presents indeed do not work out, getting quickly destroyed or rejected. (This time at least Clifford only destroys things belonging to himself or Emily Elizabeth's family instead of raining destruction across the whole neighborhood.) And then Emily Elizabeth trumps all her friends by giving Clifford what he really wanted, making the whole party feel like some sort of cruel trap.

It all boils down to a a weak friends and family are more important than gifts moral, but why have the friends bring their gifts at all if they truly don't matter? ( )

This early reader book focuses on Clifford the Big Red Dog's Birthday Party. As Emily Elizabeth invites all of Clifford's friends, no one ended up coming to Clifford's birthday party. Sad, Emily Elizabeth asked them how come they didn't come and each one said they didn't know what to buy Clifford for his birthday. Emily Elizabeth says they're being silly and invites them again. Clifford's friends show up to the party and has a great time. The illustrations are colorful and realistic. Bright colors are used and outlined in black to show the characters more. The text has a small amount on each page and big words were not used so it is great for beginner readers. A teacher can use this book to put in the children's library or can read aloud to smaller children during small group. ( )

This is from the well known series of Clifford the big red dog. "Clifford's Birthday Party" is the story of Clifford's party. His friends didn't show up because they did not know what gift to give them Clifford explains how we he will like any gift that is given to him. The theme or message of the story if that the gifts do not matter, it is the people and the experiences that do. This book would be best in an early elementary classroom. The character should be familiar making it exciting for teachers to read out loud. The mother of the story is in the background preparing the party, typical of any mother figure, The illustrations are vivid in color and drawn. ( )

This particular Clifford tale, by Norman Bridwell, tells the story about Clifford's birthday. Emily Elizabeth planned a wonderful party for him but no one shows up at first; all of Clifford's friends are worried that their gifts will not be good enough. Emily convinces them to come anyways and one by one they each give their gifts to Clifford. As the gifts are unwrapped, it's obvious that none of them are really going to work out but Clifford loves them anyways. At the end, a big cake arrives and Cliffords parents and siblings pop out and surprise him. It is clear that Clifford's birthday party was a success because he got to be with his friends and family, and that's what really matters to him. I think this is a great message for kids to hear. I also really like the illustrations; they are very colorful and detailed - the text explains what is happening but the illustrations help complete the idea. If I were to use this book in the classroom, I could have students think of a gift they would give Clifford that would be a good fit for him. ( )