Clifford's Puppy Days is an animated children's television series that originally aired on PBS Kids from September 1, 2003[2] to February 25, 2006.[3] The 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
A smiling red puppy, Clifford, sits above a rectangle containing the name of the series in stylized text.
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" performed 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)
Animation services:
Sunwoo Entertainment (Season 1 only)
Yeson Animation Studios
Original release
NetworkPBS Kids
ReleaseSeptember 1, 2003 (2003-09-01) –
February 25, 2006 (2006-02-25)
Related

The series ended in February 2006 after two seasons and 39 episodes. Since then, occasional reruns continued to air, typically on holidays until April 2022.

In the United Kingdom, the series aired on CBeebies until 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. For his role as Norville, Winkler was nominated for 2 Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program for his work on the series, one of which he won in 2005.[5]

Premise

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Set two years before the events of Clifford the Big Red Dog, the series focuses on when Clifford was a tiny red puppy. Clifford was the runt in a litter of puppies born to the pet dog of Emily Elizabeth's neighbor, Mr. Bradley (who appeared in an episode of the previous cartoon series, "Little Clifford"). He was adopted by Emily Elizabeth before he grew up into a giant red adult dog, forcing the Howard family to move out of their small apartment so Clifford would be able to live comfortably. The series shows Clifford and Emily Elizabeth's life and friends before they moved from the city to Birdwell Island.[4]

Format

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

  • The opening theme is followed by one central story, which is sometimes about Clifford and his friends.
  • Storytime with Speckle – Between the first and second story, Emily Elizabeth reads Clifford a Speckle Story, a short 60-second (approximately) time filler about a fictional dog (Speckle) and his animal friends Darnell, Reba, Ravi, and Luna.
  • 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.

Like the original series, 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

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Humans

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  • Emily Elizabeth Howard (voiced by Grey DeLisle in the US version and Joanna Ruiz in the British version) is the 6-year-old owner of Clifford and Daffodil.
  • Nina Flores (voiced by Masiela Lusha in the US version and Julie Anne Dean in the British version) – owner of Jorge.
  • Evan Thomas Taylor (voiced by Orlando Brown) is a boy who looks a few years older than Emily Elizabeth.
  • Shun (voiced by Lauren Tom in the US version and Ben Small in the British version) is a young Japanese-American boy.
  • Mr. Solomon (voiced by Alan Oppenheimer) is a writer who uses a wheelchair. Flo and Zo are his two pet kittens. In the episodes "The Big, Big Present/Hanukkah Plunder Blunder" it's revealed that he and his pet kittens are Jewish.
  • Mrs. Z (voiced by Russi Taylor) is an elderly Italian woman who was once in the circus and the owner of Tricksie.
  • Jenny (voiced by Dionne Quan) is a blind girl and owner of Bebe.
  • Vanessa (voiced by LaTonya Holmes) is a girl who first appears in the first season episode Keeping Cool. She also appeared in the second season episode Celebrating Spring.
  • Caroline (voiced by Grey DeLisle) and Mark Howard (voiced by Cam Clarke) are Emily Elizabeth's parents.

Animals

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  • Clifford (voiced by Lara Jill Miller in the US version and Lizzie Waterworth in the British version) is a red puppy. His owner is Emily Elizabeth Howard; he is also the younger adoptive brother of Daffodil.
  • Daffodil (voiced by Kath Soucie) is 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; she is also the older adoptive sister of Clifford.
  • Flo (voiced by LaTonya Holmes) and Zo (voiced by Ogie Banks) are brother and sister kittens owned by Mr. Solomon. They and their owner are Jewish.
  • The Sidarskis are a family of mice who live in the laundromat. They have five children: Lucy, Lewis, Sophie and Sid, and a newly-born child.
  • Jorge (US)/George (UK) (voiced by Jess Harnell; Benjamin Small in the British version) is a brown dachshund owned by Nina.
  • Bebe (voiced by Jill Talley) is a Golden Retriever Seeing-eye dog owned by Jenny.
  • Tricksie (voiced by Russi Taylor) is an elderly dog who once performed in the circus with Mrs. Z.
  • Norville (voiced by Henry Winkler; Tom Eastwood in the British version) is a blue jay who lives on his own.
  • Chereath (voiced by LaTonya Holmes) is a golden retriever puppy in the episode Your Secret Valentine as her only appearance.
  • Teacup (voiced by Lucy Liu) is an adult—albeit "miniature"—poodle who has spent most of her life in the pound, as shown in her only appearance in the episode "Adopt a Pup." She eventually gets adopted by an elderly woman who had always wanted a dog, but never had enough room in her apartment for a normal-sized one.
  • Bobby (voiced by Philip Hayes) is a giant terrier puppy.
  • Jack (voiced by Tara Strong) is a competitive puppy who is featured in a sandcastle contest that he competes against Clifford and Jorge.

Episodes

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

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
125September 1, 2003 (2003-09-01)February 19, 2005 (2005-02-19)
214September 12, 2005 (2005-09-12)February 25, 2006 (2006-02-25)

Season 1 (2003–2005)

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

Specials (2004–2005)

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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)
One-hour Valentine's Special that includes two stories from Clifford the Big Red Dog ("T-Bone, Dog About Town" and "Mimi's Back in Town") and from Clifford's Puppy Days ("Valentines Schmalentines" and "Sweetheart's Dance").

Season 2 (2005–2006)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byStoryboard byOriginal air date
26201"Small Packages"Joey AhlbumFrederick Stroppel
Sindy McKay
Scott Cooper and Jason McDonald
Jennifer Batinich and Mike Wisniewski
September 12, 2005 (2005-09-12)
"Clifford's Magic Lamp"
27202"Finders Keepers"Joey AhlbumPeter BakalianJennifer Batinich and Mike Wisniewski
Scott Cooper and Frank Detrano
September 13, 2005 (2005-09-13)
"You're Famous"
28203"Puppy Dog Power"Joey AhlbumDev Ross
Sindy McKay
Jennifer Batinich and Mike Wisniewski
Scott Cooper
September 14, 2005 (2005-09-14)
"Extra! Extra!"
29204"Sandcastle Hassle"Joey AhlbumJeff Borkin
Suzanne Collins
Jennifer Batinich and Mike Wisniewski
Scott Cooper and Frank Detrano
September 15, 2005 (2005-09-15)
"School Daze"
30205"Celebrating Spring"Joey AhlbumDennis Haley and Marcy Brown
Dev Ross
Mike Wisniewski and Frank Detrano
Jennifer Batinich and Scott Cooper
September 16, 2005 (2005-09-16)
"Garden Delights"
31206"Clifford the Scary Puppy"Joey AhlbumFrederick Stroppel
James Ponti
Mike Wisniewski and Frank Detrano
Mike Wisniewski, Jennifer Batinich and Frank Detrano
October 26, 2005 (2005-10-26)
"Things That Go Bump"
32207"The Big, Big Present"Joey AhlbumDev Ross
Baz Hawkins
Dan Haskett and Frank Detrano
Jennifer Batinich and Scott Cooper
December 21, 2005 (2005-12-21)
"Hanukah Plunder Blunder"
33214"Valentines Schmalentines"Joey AhlbumJeff Borkin
James Ponti
Mike Wisniewski, Ian Freedman and Frank Detrano
Jennifer Batinich and Scott Cooper
February 14, 2006 (2006-02-14)
"Sweetheart's Dance"
34208"The Big Surprise"Joey AhlbumFrederick Stroppel
Baz Hawkins
John Holmquist
Jennifer Batinich and Scott Cooper
February 15, 2006 (2006-02-15)
"Be My Guest"
35210"Clifford's Little Friend"Joey AhlbumFrederick Stroppel
Sindy McKay
Mike Wisniewski and Frank Detrano
Jennifer Batinich and Scott Cooper
February 16, 2006 (2006-02-16)
"Tricky Business"
36209"But I Really, Really Saw It!"Joey AhlbumPeter Bakalian
Dennis Haley and Marcy Brown
Mike Wisniewski and Frank Detrano
Jennifer Batinich and Scott Cooper
February 17, 2006 (2006-02-17)
"The Perfect Pancake"
37211"Show and Tell"Joey AhlbumPeter Bakalian
Dennis Haley and Marcy Brown
Ian Freedman and Frank Detrano
Mike Wisniewski, Jennifer Batinich and Scott Cooper
February 20, 2006 (2006-02-20)
"What a Story"
38212"Lost and Found"Joey AhlbumDev Ross
Dennis Haley and Marcy Brown
Ian Freedman and Frank Detrano
Jennifer Batinich and Scott Cooper
February 22, 2006 (2006-02-22)
"Basketball Blunders"
39213"Heroes and Friends"Joey AhlbumSindy McKay
Frederick Stroppel
Dan Haskett and Frank Detrano
Jennifer Batinich and Scott Cooper
February 25, 2006 (2006-02-25)
"The Cookie Crumbles"

Opening theme

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The opening theme, "Love Makes Little Things Grow", was composed by Jared Faber and Emily Kapnek (creator of Nickelodeon's As Told by Ginger) and performed by Freedom Bremner.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Clifford's Puppy Days™ Theme Song". PBS Kids. Archived from the original on November 1, 2014. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
  2. ^ "Award-Winning PBS KIDS® Launches New Programming This Fall 2003". Public Broadcasting Service. July 12, 2003. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  3. ^ "Clifford's Puppy Days Volume 3". Amazon.com. Archived from the original on February 18, 2017. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  4. ^ a b 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.[permanent dead link]
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