Another Review at MyShelf.Com

My Life as a Furry Red Monster
What Being Elmo Has Taught Me About Life, Love, and Laughing Out Loud

by Kevin Clash with Gary Brozek
Illustrations by Louis Henry Mitchell



      It is hard to believe that Sesame Street has been on television for over 20 years.

Imagine as a 10 year old that a new television show comes on the screen. The show is Sesame Street and is inhabited by a multitude of furry creatures and puppets. Most 10 year olds would feel above this but Kevin Clash was a bit different.

Kevin had been raised in a small community near Baltimore, Maryland in a busy household with many children and had been experimenting with making his own puppets from odds and ends like an old fuzzy slipper or bits of fabric and buttons. Jim Henson soon became his idol.

As Kevin grew up he always dreamed of working with Jim Henson and the Muppets. Kevin had a bit if a disadvantage. He was a 6 foot tall African American with a deep voice.

But Kevin preserved and was hired to work on the stage. Kevin said that being at work on Sesame Street was almost like being back home with all the kids that were part of his life growing up. Picture his joy at being given a big hunk of fire engine red fur with huge googly eyes and a big orange nose and being asked to make it talk. Such was the birth of Elmo, one of America's favorite celebrities.

Kevin said that is was so wonderful to always be 3 and half. At three and a half, everyone loves you and you love everyone. When Kevin gave Elmo his high squeaky voice the world fell in love,

And Elmo taught Kevin about life as know one else could. Elmo showed Kevin how to love and learn and be creative. Elmo taught tolerance and courage and friendship also. And as Kevin learned these lessons he shared them with Elmo's ever growing Fans.

After reading this book, America will not only be in love with Elmo but with Kevin Clash the wonderful, wise, and entirely human man behind the scenes.

The Book

Broadway Books
September 5th, 2006
Hardback
0767923758
Autobiography/Memoir
More at Amazon.com
Excerpt
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The Reviewer

Susan Johnson
Reviewed 2006
NOTE:
© 2006 MyShelf.com