Clifford's Puppy Days

Clifford's Puppy Days is an American-British animated children's television series that originally aired on PBS Kids from September 20, 2003 to February 25, 2006.[3] A prequel to the 2000-2003 series Clifford the Big Red Dog, it features the adventures of Clifford during his puppy days before he became a big red dog and before moving to Birdwell Island.[4]

Clifford's Puppy Days
GenreChildren's
Created byNorman Bridwell (characters)
Based on
Clifford the Big Red Dog
by
  • Norman Bridwell
Directed byBob Doucette (Season 1)
Joey Ahlbum (Season 2)
Voices ofLara Jill Miller
Grey DeLisle
Cam Clarke
Kath Soucie
Masiela Lusha
Orlando Brown
LaTonya Holmes
Ogie Banks
Jess Harnell
Lauren Tom
Henry Winkler
Candi Milo
Theme music composerJared Faber
Emily Kapnek[1]
Opening theme"Love Makes Little Things Grow" by Freedom Bremner
Ending theme"Love Makes Little Things Grow" (Instrumental)
ComposerJared Faber[1]
Country of originUnited States
United Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes39 (78 segments)
Production
Running time25 minutes
Production companiesScholastic Entertainment
Mike Young Productions (Season 1 only)
DistributorScholastic (United States)
TV-Loonland AG (Europe)[2]
Release
Original networkPBS (PBS Kids)
Original releaseSeptember 20, 2003 (2003-09-20) 
February 25, 2006 (2006-02-25)
Chronology
Preceded byClifford the Big Red Dog (2000)
Related showsClifford the Big Red Dog (2019)

The series ended in February 2006 after two seasons and 39 episodes. Since then, occasional reruns continue to air.

In the United Kingdom, the series aired on CBeebies from 2003 to early 2011 and like the original series, the prequel was dubbed with British voice actors, replacing the original American soundtrack.

The show featured Henry Winkler as the voice of Norville; Winkler was nominated for 2 Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program for his work on the series and he won in 2005.[5]

Setting

Set two years (1998) before the events of Clifford the Big Red Dog, the series focuses on when Clifford is a tiny red puppy, the runt of the litter in a litter of puppies given birth to by the pet dog of Emily Elizabeth's neighbor, Mr. Bradley (who appeared in an episode of the first cartoon series, "Little Clifford") and after he had been adopted by Emily Elizabeth and before he grew up into a giant red adult dog, forcing the Howards to move to Birdwell Island so Clifford would have plenty of room, the series shows Clifford and Emily Elizabeth's life and friends before they moved from New York City to Birdwell Island and all of their adventures to make room magic.[4]

Format

The series followed the same format as its predecessor, Clifford the Big Red Dog.

  • The opening theme is followed by the first central story, which is sometimes about the dogs, and a problem they face.
  • Storytime with Speckle – Between the first and second story, Emily Elizabeth reads Clifford the Speckle Story, a small 60-second (approximately) time filler about a fictional dog (Speckle) and his animal friends.
  • This is followed by another central story sometimes about Emily Elizabeth and her friends.
  • Clifford's Idea to Grow On – Before the credits, another 30-second short takes place called Clifford's Idea to Grow On. The short is basically an animation of an etiquette, a proverb, or basic truth such as "Play Fair", "Help Others", etc., with narration by Emily Elizabeth. This short was called Clifford's Big Idea in the previous series.
  • Live action segments with real kids and their dogs.

On UK airings, only one story is shown, with either the Storytime with Speckle or the Clifford's Idea to Grow On segments at the end, shortening the show to about 15 minutes.

Characters

Humans

  • Emily Elizabeth Howard (voiced by Grey DeLisle; Joanna Ruiz in the British version) – 6-year-old owner of Clifford and Daffodil.
  • Nina Flores (voiced by Masiela Lusha) – owner of Jorge.
  • Evan Thomas Taylor (voiced by Orlando Brown) – A boy who looks a few years older than Emily Elizabeth.
  • Shun (voiced by Lauren Tom; Ben Small in the British version) – A young Japanese-American boy.
  • Mr. Solomon (voiced by Alan Oppenheimer) – A wheelchair-bound writer. Flo and Zo are his two pet kittens. In the episodes "The Big, Big Present/Hanukkah Plunder Blunder," it is revealed that he, Flo, and Zo are Jewish.
  • Mrs. Z (also voiced by Taylor) – An elderly Italian woman who was once in the circus, and owner of Trixie
  • Jenny (voiced by Dionne Quan) – A blind girl and owner of Bibi

Animals

  • Clifford (voiced by Lara Jill Miller; Lizzie Waterworth in the British version as a puppy) – Dog owned by Emily Elizabeth.
  • Daffodil (voiced by Kath Soucie) – A Holland Lop. In the first half of the series she was originally pink but her fur was changed to white in the second half.
  • Flo and Zo (voiced by LaTonya Holmes and Ogie Banks, respectively) – Kittens who are brother and sister, They are owned by Mr. Solomon. In the episodes "The Big, Big Present/Hanukkah Plunder Blunder," it is revealed that they and Mr. Solomon are Jewish.
  • The Sidarskis – A family of mice who live in the laundromat. They have five children, Lucy, Lewis, Sophie, Sid, and a new baby.
  • Jorge/George (UK) (voiced by Jess Harnell; Benjamin Small in the British version) – A brown dachshund whose owner is Nina.
  • Bibi (voiced by Jill Talley) – A Golden Retriever Seeing-eye dog, She belongs to a blind girl named Jenny.
  • Tricksie (voiced by Russi Taylor) – An elderly dog who once performed in the circus with her owner, Mrs. Z.
  • Norville (voiced by Henry Winkler; Tom Eastwood in the British version) – A bird.

Episodes

Each half-hour episode was divided into 2 stories.[6]

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
125September 20, 2003 (2003-09-20)February 19, 2005 (2005-02-19)
22February 14, 2004 (2004-02-14)February 19, 2005 (2005-02-19)
314September 17, 2005 (2005-09-17)December 23, 2006 (2006-12-23)

Season 1 (2003–2005)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byStoryboard byOriginal air date
1101"Keeping Cool"
"Socks & Snooze"
Bob DoucetteFrederick Stroppel
Suzanne Collins
Dan Kuenster
Jeff Gordon
September 1, 2003 (2003-09-01)
2102"The Monster in 3B"
"Cat-tastrophe"
Bob DoucetteSuzanne Collins
Baz Hawkins
Cynthia Petrovic
Curtis Cim
September 1, 2003 (2003-09-01)
3103"Jorge and the Dog Run"
"Clifford's Clubhouse"
Bob DoucetteJeff Borkin
James Ponti
Dave Cunningham and Dan Kuenster
Cynthia Petrovic
September 17, 2003 (2003-09-17)
4104"Paw Print Picasso"
"Hup Hup"
Bob DoucetteTish Rabe
Peter Bakalian
Michael Kim
Anna Burns
October 15, 2003 (2003-10-15)
5105"Sock It to Me"
"My Toy"
Bob DoucetteDev Ross
Alan Goodman
Lenord Robinson
Curt Walstead
October 1, 2003 (2003-10-01)
6106"Friends of All Ages"
"Clifford's Super Sleepover"
Bob DoucetteDev Ross
Tish Rabe
Dan Kuenster
Tim George
October 8, 2003 (2003-10-08)
7107"Clifford's Field Trip"
"Helping Paws"
Bob DoucetteSindy McKay
Dev Ross
Kevin Frank
Tim George
December 10, 2003 (2003-12-10)
8108"Nina's Perfect Party"
"Just the Right Size"
Bob DoucetteFrederick Stroppel
Jeff Borkin
Lenord Robinson
Byron Vaughns
December 17, 2003 (2003-12-17)
9109"Something Special"
"Shun Gets in the Game"
Bob DoucetteJames Ponti
Tish Rabe
Roy Meurin
Gloria Jenkins
October 29, 2003 (2003-10-29)
10110"Clifford's Winter Spirit"
"Flo-Motion"
Bob DoucetteJeff Borkin
Frederick Stroppel
Holly Boruck
Trevor Wall
November 5, 2003 (2003-11-05)
11111"No Small Parts"
"Fine Feather Friend"
Bob DoucetteJeff Borkin
Peter Bakalian
Stephen Sandoval
Kevin Frank
February 16, 2004 (2004-02-16)
12112"Sing-a-Song Norville"
"Tell Me a Tale"
Bob DoucetteBaz Hawkins
Sindy McKay
Byron Vaughns
Tim George
February 17, 2004 (2004-02-17)
13113"Hoop Dreams"
"Doggie Duds"
Bob DoucetteFrederick Stroppel
Dev Ross
Roy Meurin
Gloria Jenkins
February 18, 2004 (2004-02-18)
14114"Best Nest"
"Practice Makes Perfect"
Bob DoucetteDennis Haley and Marcy Brown
James Ponti
Trevor Wall
Ralph Zondag
February 19, 2004 (2004-02-19)
15115"Your Secret Valentine"
"Perfect Pet"
Bob DoucetteBaz Hawkins
James Ponti
Ken Laramay
Gloria Jenkins
February 20, 2004 (2004-02-20)
16116"My Blanky"
"With Friends Like You"
Bob DoucettePeter Bakalian
Baz Hawkins
John Howley
Stephen Sandoval and Jeff Gordon
September 5, 2004 (2004-09-05)
17117"Time Out"
"Sniff, Sniff"
Bob DoucetteDennis Haley and Marcy Brown
Alan Goodman
Rafael Rosaro
Tim George
September 8, 2004 (2004-09-08)
18118"A Promise Is a Promise"
"Share and Share Alike"
Bob DoucetteSindy McKay
Tish Rabe
Roy Meurin
Gloria Jenkins
September 12, 2004 (2004-09-12)
19119"Fall Feast"
"Norville's New Game"
Bob DoucetteBaz Hawkins
Jeff Borkin
Trevor Wall
Diane Kredensor
September 15, 2004 (2004-09-15)
20120"Oh, Brother"
"Up, Up, & Oops!"
Bob DoucetteSindy McKay
Dev Ross
Kathy Carr
John Howley
September 19, 2004 (2004-09-19)
21121"Moving On"
"Fair Is Fair"
Bob DoucetteFrederick Stroppel
James Ponti
Kevin Frank
Tim George
September 22, 2004 (2004-09-22)
22122"Grooming Gloom"
"The Letter"
Bob DoucetteSindy McKay
Alan Goodman
Roy Meurin
Gloria Jenkins
September 26, 2004 (2004-09-26)
23123"Adopt-a-Pup"
"Jokes on You"
Bob DoucetteSuzanne Collins
Baz Hawkins
Diane Kredensor
Kathy Carr
February 15, 2005 (2005-02-15)
24124"Lights, Camera, Action"
"Basketball Babysitter"
Bob DoucetteJames Ponti
Deborah Forte and Frederick Stroppel
John Howley
Dan Kuenster and Tim George
February 16, 2005 (2005-02-16)
25125"The Halloween Bandit"
"An Honest Spin"
Bob DoucettePeter Bakalian
Dennis Haley and Roy Meurin
Diane Kredensor
Roy Meurin
February 17, 2005 (2005-02-17)

Specials (2004–2005)

No.TitleOriginal air date
"Smooches & Pooches"February 9, 2004 (2004-02-09)
One-hour Valentine's special that includes three stories from Clifford the Big Red Dog ("Clifford's Big Heart," "Big Hearted T-Bone" and "Cleo's Valentine Surprise") and one story from Clifford's Puppy Days ("Your Secret Valentine").[7]
"Clifford's Heart-y Party"February 14, 2005 (2005-02-14)

Season 2 (2005–2006)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleOriginal air date
26201"Small Packages"
"Clifford's Magic Lamp"
September 12, 2005 (2005-09-12)
27202"Finders Keepers"
"You're Famous"
September 13, 2005 (2005-09-13)
28203"Puppy Dog Power"
"Extra! Extra!"
September 14, 2005 (2005-09-14)
29204"Sandcastle Hassle"
"School Daze"
September 15, 2005 (2005-09-15)
30205"Celebrating Spring"
"Garden Delights"
September 16, 2005 (2005-09-16)
31206"Clifford the Scary Puppy"
"Things That Go Bump"
October 26, 2005 (2005-10-26)
32207"The Big, Big Present"
"Hanukkah Plunder Blunder"
December 21, 2005 (2005-12-21)
33214"Valentines Schmalentines"
"Sweetheart's Dance"
February 14, 2006 (2006-02-14)
34208"The Big Surprise"
"Be My Guest"
February 15, 2006 (2006-02-15)
35210"Clifford's Little Friend"
"Tricky Business"
February 16, 2006 (2006-02-16)
36209"But I Really, Really Saw It!"
"The Perfect Pancake"
February 17, 2006 (2006-02-17)
37211"Show and Tell"
"What a Story"
February 20, 2006 (2006-02-20)
38213"Lost and Found"
"Basketball Blunders"
February 22, 2006 (2006-02-22)
39212"Heroes and Friends"
"The Cookie Crumbles"
February 22, 2006 (2006-02-22)

Opening theme

The opening theme, "Love Makes Little Things Grow", was composed by Jared Faber and Emily Kapnek and performed by Freedom Bremner.[1]

References

  1. "Clifford's Puppy Days™ Theme Song". PBS Kids. Archived from the original on November 1, 2014. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
  2. Grant, Jules (February 27, 2007). "Spanish networks reach for Skyland". C21Media.
  3. "Clifford's Puppy Days Volume 3". Amazon.com. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  4. Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. pp. 203–204. ISBN 978-1476665993.
  5. Perlmutter, David (2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 128–129. ISBN 978-1538103739.
  6. "Clifford's Puppy Days Episodes". PBS Kids. Archived from the original on October 15, 2008. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  7. "Clifford's Valentine's Day Special: Smooches & Pooches". Idaho Public Television. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
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