Amazon.com reviews for
"Clifford the Big Red Dog" (2000) More at IMDb Pro »

Clifford - Clifford Saves the Day/Clifford's Fluffiest Friend Cleo (dvd):

Amazon.com video review: Clifford is an invaluable friend who's excited to share his thoughts on friendship and helpfulness in this 90-minute compilation of Clifford Saves the Day and Clifford's Fluffiest Friend Cleo. Cleo learns some important lessons about friendship from her good friend Clifford in "Cleo's Fair Share," "Fluffed Up Cleo," "Two's Company," and "Friends Morning, Noon, and Night." Clifford proves an asset to the entire island of Birdwell in "Stormy Weather" and "Islander of the Year," and his help at the circus earns him a coveted place in the grand finale in "Circus Stars." In "Clifford on Parade," Clifford helps Emily Elizabeth and Charley discover how working together can solve a problem while strengthening their friendship. Special DVD features include "Clifford's Big Ideas," "The Clifford Dance," and "Real Life Doggy Friends." "Big Ideas" presents three short animated segments emphasizing the themes of helping others, respect, and sharing. On the DVD each animated segment is followed by on-screen, textual parenting tips that expand upon the themes presented and offer ideas for further discussion as well as suggestions of activities to reinforce those themes. "The Clifford Dance" is a very brief PBS promotional spot, and "Real Life Doggy Friends" features brief, real-life footage of kids talking about their own dogs. Learn about sharing, helping, and friendship with Clifford--everyone's favorite big red dog. (Ages 3 to 7) --Tami Horiuchi

Clifford - Clifford Saves the Day (vhs):

Amazon.com video review: The ever-helpful Clifford proves invaluable to the population of Birdwell Island in Clifford Saves the Day. Clifford's annoying habit of digging in inopportune places soon becomes a revered talent when the town library is threatened by an approaching storm in "Stormy Weather." Clifford's unfailing willingness to help earns him top recognition in "Islander of the Year" and a starring role in the circus in "Circus Stars." When Emily Elizabeth and Charley can't agree on a float theme for the local parade in "Clifford on Parade," it's Clifford's encouragement to work together that inspires the best float ever. These brightly animated adaptations of Norman Bridwell's Clifford stories will entertain children ages 3 to 7 while imparting a wonderful message about the importance of being helpful. --Tami Horiuchi

Clifford - Clifford's Fluffiest Friend Cleo (vhs):

Amazon.com video review: Selfishness can threaten even the strongest friendships. When Cleo is named "fluffiest dog" in "Fluffed Up Cleo," her inflated ego threatens the close friendship between herself, Clifford, and T-bone. Cleo's hesitance to share a new toy in "Cleo's Fair Share" finds her alone and bored, while her overbearing enthusiasm for a prolonged stay at Clifford's house proves intrusive in "Friends Morning, Noon, and Night." Finally, Cleo learns an important lesson about nurturing friendships when her excitement over KC's visit to Birdwell Island leaves Clifford and T-bone feeling unimportant and forgotten. Based on the Clifford book series by Norman Bridwell, these brightly animated stories are appealing and timeless. Join Clifford and his friends for an exploration of sharing, compassion, and friendship. (Ages 3 to 7) --Tami Horiuchi

Clifford's Best Friends (vhs):

Amazon.com video review: Based on Norman Birdwell's Clifford the Big Red Dog books, this PBS Kids series features bright animation and favorite Clifford characters like Clifford, Emily Elizabeth, Cleo, and T-Bone. This 45-minute compilation includes four episodes that explore the complexities of friendship. "My Best Friend" finds Emily Elizabeth searching for a special item to bring to school for show and tell. Her classmate Jenna's disdain over her initial selection makes Emily Elizabeth frantic, but when she considers what's really important in her life, the choice is suddenly quite obvious. When Mac abruptly befriends Cleo in "False Friends," Cleo is so delighted that she begins to shun her older friends Clifford and T-Bone. The question is whether this new friendship is based on genuine liking or something else. In "New Friend," Clifford, Cleo, and T-Bone feel uncomfortable around K.C., a three-legged dog who's visiting the neighborhood. Condescension, avoidance, and pity help the dogs deal with their discomfort, but eventually the trio learns to look past K.C.'s differences and discovers a great new friend. Finally, in "The Dog Who Cried Woof," Cleo's repeated teasing lands her in an uncomfortable situation in which she learns an important lesson about trust. Clifford promotes acceptance and friendship in this entertaining, 45-minute video. (Ages 2 to 7) --Tami Horiuchi

Here Comes Clifford (vhs):

Amazon.com video review: As if it weren't enough that the creators of the PBS kids' series Clifford concocted a cartoon worth watching for its old-school charm, they've also finagled a fine balance of morals-building story lines and freewheeling fun. Cases in point are on the four-episode Here Comes Clifford, in which good-girl dog owner Emily Elizabeth and the enormous titular red pooch help put to rest preconceived notions, especially when it comes to appearances. In the first episode, "Little Clifford," Emily Elizabeth chooses her soon-to-be-supersized pup from a neighbor dog's litter. As Clifford shoots up, his family's forced to leave the city in search of roomier accommodations. The message: just because Clifford's different doesn't mean he ought to be abandoned. That same sentiment swivels into the next tale, "Welcome to Birdwell Island." Here the townies balk at Clifford's bigness until disaster strikes and they come to recognize its value. The third episode finds bow-clad bow-wow Cleo sending T-Bone into a tailspin over his once secure position as Clifford's best pal, and the final segment, "A Ferry Tale," proves that, in order to be on the cover of Prize Pup magazine, a dog sometimes needs to do more than sport a shiny coat. Each episode is a praiseworthy primer for the kind of important life lessons that'll keep kids out of the doghouse in the future. --Tammy La Gorce

Clifford - Clifford's Schoolhouse (vhs):

Amazon.com video review: Clifford has charmed generations from the pages of Norman Bridwell's books, and now the big red dog is animated thanks to the Emmy-nominated PBS series. John Ritter gives the crimson canine wise voice and the writers infuse his stories with gentle lessons that spring from everyday life. Friendship and tolerance are the order of the day in this quartet of episodes. In "Teacher's Pet," T-Bone feels second-rate compared to his fellow dog-obedience classmates Clifford, Cleo, and Machiavelli. But instructor Brittany Spaniel figures out a way to make him feel as proud as the others. "Nobody's Perfect" finds a frustrated Charlie struggling to master the gelatin juggle for Silly Sports Day. Clifford and Emily save the school play when he provides the stalk and she provides the lines after a distracted Jetta bails out on the lead role in "Clifford and the Beanstalk." Finally, Clifford and his pals go off in search of flowers, balloons, and a card for the ailing Emily in "Get Well!" (Ages 3 to 7) --Kimberly Heinrichs

Clifford - Clifford Tries His Best (vhs):

Amazon.com video review: Overcoming life's disappointments is an empowering endeavor. Even Clifford, the big red dog, must deal with setbacks in this heartwarming PBS Kids program, Clifford Tries His Best. The 45-minute collection of four episodes gently explores the everyday angst of feeling outcast, lonely, or different. In one story, quintessential killjoy Mr. Bleekman has successfully lobbied the city to outlaw dogs in the park, sending a dejected Clifford and his dog pals to their backyards. In another episode, Clifford must contend with Emily Elizabeth's newfound affections for an adopted baby bird. Viewers will identify with Clifford's mournful howl when he endures his first night away from Emily Elizabeth, despite the kind-hearted intentions of a babysitter. They'll also relate to Clifford as he reunites after many years with an old pal, Rex, who discovers he no longer has much in common with this humongous hound. While the topics may sound sober, the tales are anything but. Clifford handles each predicament with dignity and optimism, whether winning Mr. Bleekman's favor to share park privileges, or realizing that despite new interests, Emily's love for him never diminishes. Youngsters who are familiar with Norman Bridwell's book series, Clifford the Big Red Dog, written from Emily's perspective in simple, straightforward prose, may need to adjust to the animated version's talking Clifford. Otherwise, the television program retains the same charm as the books, generously sprinkling each episode with loyalty, laughter, and life lessons. (Ages 2 to 7) --Lynn Gibson