Author, Cartoonist. Norman Bridwell was an American author of the 20th century, who was best known for his "Clifford the Big Red Dog" book series. Born in 1928 in Kokomo, Indiana, he graduated Kokomo High School in 1945 before attending John Herron School of Art at Indiana University, Purdue University Indianapolis, and Cooper Union for the Arts in New York City. By 1962, Bridwell was married to his wife Norma, an artist, and they had two children, a son named Timothy and an infant daughter Emily Elizabeth. After putting a portfolio together, he attempted to become a children's book illustrator but was rejected by around fifteen publishing houses. While at Harper and Row, an editor offhandedly suggested he turn one of his drawings into a story. The drawing was of a baby girl and a horse-sized bloodhound, and the story became the 1962 book, "Clifford, The Big Red Dog." That book spawned over 40 best-selling Clifford books, two television shows, merchandise, and a musical. Bridwell's other successful books include "The Witch Next Door" in 1965, "How to Care for Your Monster" in 1970 and "The Witch Grows Up" in 1979. His books entertained pre-school as well as grammar school children, while teaching various facts with humor. There are over 126 million copies of his books in print in 13 languages. The Bridwells resided on Martha's Vineyard in 1969 until his death. Among the long list of awards and honors, he received in 1994 an honorary degree Doctor of Humane Letters from Indiana University, and in 1971 Author of the Year, Lucky Book Club-Four-Leaf Clover Award, and Scholastic Book Services Awards. "Clifford and the Grouchy Neighbors" received the Children's Choice Book Award from the International Reading Association/Children's Book Council in 1985.