Clifford
Clifford Takes a Trip by Norman Bridwell, 1966.
Emily Elizabeth and her parents don’t usually take long trips during the summer because it’s too difficult to bring Clifford along. He’s just too big to go on trains or buses. One summer, Emily Elizabeth’s parents decide to go camping in the mountains. They can’t take Clifford, so they leave him behind with a neighbor.
However, Clifford misses Emily Elizabeth too much, so he decides to go find her! A gigantic red dog can create a lot of chaos on a cross-country trip.
Along the way, he does help a man with a broken-down grocery truck, and the man is grateful enough to feed him.
He also arrives at the family’s campsite just in time to save Emily Elizabeth after she thought it would be fun to play with some baby bears she found.
The family considers that next year, they may find a way to take Clifford with them somewhere else.
The book is available to borrow and read for free online through Internet Archive (multiple copies, including one in Spanish).
My Reaction
Like all Clifford books, the humor is based around Clifford’s enormous size. Even though the family thought that it would be too far for Clifford to walk to come to the mountains with them, he tracks them down there anyway. Then, after he rejoins his family, he sleeps with Emily Elizabeth, his ear propped up to be her tent. The idea they’re considering next for transporting Clifford is a flat-bed truck. I could well imagine my own dog trying to track me down if I went on vacation without her, but fortunately, when your dog is about the same size as Toto in the Wizard of Oz, traveling with a dog isn’t as difficult.
Jestress's Forgotten Books and Stories 
I’ve not read these books, but I don’t like the the hero dog stopped the bear from disciplining the girl for fooling with her cubs. It seems to teach the wrong message
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Yeah, and I doubt the bears would be friendly after being terrified by a ginormous dog, but that’s the kind of “tall” tale that Clifford stories are. Admittedly, they’re not as amusing to me as an adult as they were when I was a kid.
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I guess I am overthinking it. It’s just a kid’s fantasy.
Say, I know you said you are going back to Bobbsey Twins when the season matches your books. What about the McGurk books? Any idea when you’ll continue that series? And what about the other series I suggested? (Like Adam Mills’ Twin Connection?)
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Not sure yet, but they’re bound to show up eventually. Skipping around makes things more interesting.
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And the Twin Connection?
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I’ll have to look that one up. I haven’t read those before.
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This is such a great story! I especially love how Clifford’s immense size creates so many funny moments. It’s nice to see the family find a way to include him in their holiday plans. The story is full of warmth and humour. Thanks to the author for sharing this wonderful book with us!
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This is such a sweet story! Clifford’s determination to find Emily Elizabeth is so touching. It’s so nice to see how Clifford helps others on his journey. Thank you so much for sharing this story and the link to read for free.
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