As an unemployed commercial artist from Indiana, he really wanted to illustrate children's books. He took his portfolio to New York City where fifteen editors turned him away. One told him his work wasn't very good, that no one would want him to illustrate books, and maybe he should try writing his own. So, he did, naming a character after his own little girl and featuring a large animal. His series has sold over 126,000 books. This is Norman Bridwell, author/illustrator of the Clifford the Big Red Dog series featuring the character Emily Elizabeth.
