Clifford is depressed and his friends spend the book trying to cheer him up. I'd have been more interested if Bridwell had explored the source of his depression. Is it remorse or regret for all the havoc he has wreaked over the years? Or has he realized that his size precludes the possibility of ever having conventional sex? Which then raises the question of whether or not Clifford is fixed. If not, could Emily Elizabeth's family be able to afford paying for all of his destruction and food by selling tubfuls of his sperm for people interested in duplicating his color and size in their dog-breeding programs? How would the harvesting be managed? How deep is this rabbit hole? ( )

Clifford The Big Red Dog has been feeling very blue, and his owner, Emily, cannot figure out why. The veterinarian couldn't even figure it out. Emily tried everything to cheer him up: serving him his favorite food, bringing him flowers, putting on a parade, and giving him a puppet show. Nothing seemed to work. Emily decided that she'd give it one last try. She wrote a happy song for Clifford that told him all the reasons why she loved him, and finally, Clifford was happy again. ( )

I love this story and it is perfect to read to a child when they are sad and to do an activity with them afterwards to show that they are special.