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My Life as a Furry Red Monster: What Being Elmo Has Taught Me About Life, Love and Laughing Out Loud
Meet Kevin Clash, the man behind the Muppet and the unassuming heart and soul of Elmo. At last, the puppeteer who has performed Elmo for nearly twenty years comes out from behind the stage to share his story. Weaving together his memories of growing up with the life lessons gained from his furry red alter ego, Kevin reveals himself to be as caring, and as eager to grow and learn and love, as the very special character he brings to life.
You will discover how young Kevin honed his talent entertaining the kids in his mother’s home day care with puppets he made from slippers and coat liners; how, as a struggling young artist, he realized his dream to meet and then work for his idol, Muppet creator Jim Henson; and how each and every day of performing Elmo reinforces for him what is most important in life.
As Kevin has been inspired by Elmo, now we can all learn from his furry red ways. Kevin’s (and Elmo’s) thoughts on love, creativity, friendship, and optimism remind us of life’s simple truths and ultimately encourage us all to be a little bit more like Elmo–to live with joy, to love more easily, and to laugh more often.
You will discover how young Kevin honed his talent entertaining the kids in his mother’s home day care with puppets he made from slippers and coat liners; how, as a struggling young artist, he realized his dream to meet and then work for his idol, Muppet creator Jim Henson; and how each and every day of performing Elmo reinforces for him what is most important in life.
As Kevin has been inspired by Elmo, now we can all learn from his furry red ways. Kevin’s (and Elmo’s) thoughts on love, creativity, friendship, and optimism remind us of life’s simple truths and ultimately encourage us all to be a little bit more like Elmo–to live with joy, to love more easily, and to laugh more often.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
May 26, 2009
I don't really like Elmo from Sesame Street, in fact he's kind of taken over, thanks to his overall "I played the cute card one to many times" popularity. Yeah he's cute, but I have other favorites. If you ask me there was NEVER enough Oscar on that show. I loved Oscar, and Bert (WHO DOESN'T LOVE AN ANAL RETENTIVE MUPPET?) and Snuffy **. I grew up with Sesame Street as a kid, and so when I saw this book I was intrigued.
My Life As A Furry Red Monster immediately grabbed my attention as it offered a behind the scenes look at a show that is a living legend in the eyes of everyone who ever had or has a childhood. Author Kevin Clash, (along with help from Gary Brozek) writes about what it's been like being the one with his arm stuck up Elmo's butt. (I have such a way with words.)
Kevin is the guy behind Elmo, he does the puppetry and the voice and has charmed millions of people with his furry friend. (Why does that sound dirty?) The book is part autobiography part inspirational, (cheeseball wise) that covers how Kevin developed his famous alter-ego and how we as adults can adapt Elmo's approach to life in our own lives.
I was worried when I started reading this book, as I'm far too cynical to read a book about "living life to it's fullest" and blah blah blah. However, this book won me over, yes, there are some cheeseball "reach for the stars" moments, but they don't last that long and the author has managed to include a balance between Kevin's history with Sesame Street and inspiration. Just when you're feeling like you're about to get a little queasy from the motivational stuff- you get some information about the show or puppetry or Jim Henson and you're right back into the book. (I'm also very, very interested on getting my hands on a Henson/Muppet biography now.) I actually enjoyed this book, (and yes, I'm as surprised as you are), because it was interesting and fun to read, not to mention reminscing about my own Sesame Street memories. I'm giving this book a 7/10, recommended to you Muppet lovers out there.
My Life As A Furry Red Monster immediately grabbed my attention as it offered a behind the scenes look at a show that is a living legend in the eyes of everyone who ever had or has a childhood. Author Kevin Clash, (along with help from Gary Brozek) writes about what it's been like being the one with his arm stuck up Elmo's butt. (I have such a way with words.)
Kevin is the guy behind Elmo, he does the puppetry and the voice and has charmed millions of people with his furry friend. (Why does that sound dirty?) The book is part autobiography part inspirational, (cheeseball wise) that covers how Kevin developed his famous alter-ego and how we as adults can adapt Elmo's approach to life in our own lives.
I was worried when I started reading this book, as I'm far too cynical to read a book about "living life to it's fullest" and blah blah blah. However, this book won me over, yes, there are some cheeseball "reach for the stars" moments, but they don't last that long and the author has managed to include a balance between Kevin's history with Sesame Street and inspiration. Just when you're feeling like you're about to get a little queasy from the motivational stuff- you get some information about the show or puppetry or Jim Henson and you're right back into the book. (I'm also very, very interested on getting my hands on a Henson/Muppet biography now.) I actually enjoyed this book, (and yes, I'm as surprised as you are), because it was interesting and fun to read, not to mention reminscing about my own Sesame Street memories. I'm giving this book a 7/10, recommended to you Muppet lovers out there.
June 23, 2024
I don’t agree with this book’s take on 1950s Mccarthyism.
March 4, 2019
Very interesting story about the actor behind Elmo and what it takes to make it in that sort of business.
July 25, 2012
I found about this biography after I blogged about the Muppets yesterday and put a link to the Muppet Wikia, which listed this book. I had already seen the documentary "Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey." I absolutely loved the movie and it gave me a little more respect for Elmo, whereas before I just found him to be incredibly annoying. Kevin Clash has had a fascinating career and he is doing something that he loves doing (and it gets paid for it!). If only all of us were that lucky. In the book, he and his co-author give a short biography of himself and how he came to be working for Jim Henson and Sesame Street. By being Elmo's puppeteer, he has learned love, joy, creativity, tolerance, courage, friendship, cooperation, learning and optimism. Some of the cool things I found out in this book include the following: Mo Willems (one of my favorite children's author/illustrators) was a Sesame Street writer who came up with the concept of "Elmo's World," the mix of computer-generated and live action that brings out a child's imagination. The Elmo's World segment of the show was created in the late 90s to get to their new audience: two to four year olds. Originally the show's audience was 5-8 yr olds. In the section on friendship, Kevin discusses Jim Henson, something I always find fascinating because he seems like he would be a really cool guy to work for, and apparently he was. I also found it interesting that in 2002, "Elmo and Kevin went to DC to testify in front of Congress at the Education Appropriations Subcommittee, to help prevent them from eliminating funding for school arts programs." Kevin talked about his own experiences in music and drama in school, and how important he believes it is for children to be able to get the same opportunities he did. In the Tolerance section, he discussed the South African version of Sesame Street and how they had decided to put an AIDS-infected character on there to represent the thousands of infected Africans who had the disease. I thought that was a really cool thing they did to address issues of modern society that some people aren't willing to deal with, but it's okay to do it on Sesame Street because it is almost like it is in a neutral setting. Anyways, overall I really enjoyed the book and it was a nice quick read. 5 stars
May 24, 2011
I did like reading this guy's story, how he grew up as a black kid obsessed with making puppets. He had great parents that never forced him to go out and play with other kids, they were happy as long as he was happy doing his thing. I don't think there would have been many parents that understanding back then, or even now.
I didn't enjoy the preaching from Elmo so much. "Elmo has taught me..." Um, you do know that Elmo isn't real, right? Seeing your hand is up his butt, I really hope Elmo isn't real. I understand that an autobiography without constant reference to Elmo might have lost some readers who really love Elmo. But I was more interested in the guy behind the muppet and an insight into the muppet world of Jim Henson, and I'm not of the Elmo-loving generation.
I think Elmo may be a kind of therapy for the author, letting him say and do things that he doesn't feel comfortable with showing in person. Which is great, really. But know when to stop, dude. It's sweet that you want to talk to your kid before she's born, but do it in your own voice, not Elmo's. That's just creepy. And I understand that you want to make a special video for your daughter-to-be of the trip to the hospital for the birth - that's sweet, even if you insist on narrating through Elmo. Your daughter may like to watch it some day, but remember your wife? The one in labour and about to give birth to your child? Your wife needs you now. I was not surprised that he and his wife split up.
Which is to say, he's obviously a sweet guy who is a great Dad and loves his work and loves bringing joy to children. But he might need to pull back a little on looking at the world through Elmo's eyes.
I didn't enjoy the preaching from Elmo so much. "Elmo has taught me..." Um, you do know that Elmo isn't real, right? Seeing your hand is up his butt, I really hope Elmo isn't real. I understand that an autobiography without constant reference to Elmo might have lost some readers who really love Elmo. But I was more interested in the guy behind the muppet and an insight into the muppet world of Jim Henson, and I'm not of the Elmo-loving generation.
I think Elmo may be a kind of therapy for the author, letting him say and do things that he doesn't feel comfortable with showing in person. Which is great, really. But know when to stop, dude. It's sweet that you want to talk to your kid before she's born, but do it in your own voice, not Elmo's. That's just creepy. And I understand that you want to make a special video for your daughter-to-be of the trip to the hospital for the birth - that's sweet, even if you insist on narrating through Elmo. Your daughter may like to watch it some day, but remember your wife? The one in labour and about to give birth to your child? Your wife needs you now. I was not surprised that he and his wife split up.
Which is to say, he's obviously a sweet guy who is a great Dad and loves his work and loves bringing joy to children. But he might need to pull back a little on looking at the world through Elmo's eyes.
September 22, 2020
This was light and funny and insightful. I was never much of an Elmo fan, but I have always had a vague interest in puppets and Muppets; plus, I did watch Sesame Street some as a kid. I enjoyed learning about Clash's career and getting a different perspective on the children's education industry, television, Sesame Street, and furry red monsters.
March 15, 2021
Fun book. Amazing parents. Amazing to find your passion at a young age
September 2, 2021
This is a great little memoir divided into “lessons” that Clash has learned from his alter ego, Elmo.
July 7, 2013
“When children tell Elmo that they love him, they all have different styles of expressing their emotion. Some of the more demonstrative kids throw their arms around his neck, snuggle their faces against his, and with an eyes-closed, sigh-heaving, hand-me-my-Tony-Award gesture that projects to the very last row of the theater’s balcony, they proclaim their undying devotion to Elmo in prose as purple as Telly Monster. ‘Oh, Elmo, I love you more than chocolate ice cream! More than I love the new baby! Please come and live in my house forever!”
“Older kids are a little more matter-of-fact, as if they’ve been married for twenty years and they’re picking up their keys and their bag and heading out the door with an affectionate but perfunctory ‘Love you.’ Still others are more shy and reserved, like the bashful and nervous teen letting his or her feelings be known to their crush for the first time. I often wonder how these children will express their love as adults and how many of them will remain demonstrative and unembarrassed, or if they’ll naturally pull back into more conservative styles as they grow older. It would be ridiculous if we all greeted each other the way the more enthusiastic kids greet Elmo – imagine how long it would take to get that first cup of coffee at the office with all the morning greetings in full swing! – but still, doesn’t imagining a love-filled world like that put a smile on your face?” – Pages 16-17
Elmo puts a smile on my face. Because he puts a slow-growing, massive, bright smile across my 15 month old son, Sam’s, face whenever he catches his first glimpse of Elmo on Sesame Street, on a DVD, in a book, or in passing a toy store display. My friend Stacy informed me a while back that there is a certain age when the Elmo switch goes off in the toddler world. For Sammy, that age was about 14 1/2 months. Without his buddy Elmo’s musical DVD I discovered at the library, I would never get a shower in the morning. This normally distracted toddler with the attention span of a flea will sit and play quietly with his books and a few toys for 45 minutes straight as long as Elmo is singing to him. My prior experience with Elmo was that obnoxious laugh on the Tickle Me Elmo doll decades ago. Now? I am oddly drawn to that laugh, his presence and magnetism. I became infatuated with learning as much as possible about this furry little dude.
And so I recalled the title of a memoir written by the person who performs Elmo that I learned of through a Goodreads friend many years before. Through their review of this book, I discovered that Elmo was performed by a very tall, black guy with a deep voice. I don’t know who I thought gave life to Elmo, but that certainly wasn’t my first guess. Kevin Clash was more obsessed with puppets and TV as a young child than I was. I love love love puppets. I can totally relate to how Kevin used them to overcome his shyness as a boy. They provide a perfect front for everything you want to express but are afraid to otherwise. However, Kevin didn’t drop his interest when he grew older and was an easy target as the weirdo who played with dolls. He lived for puppets and the art of performance. He studied people and artists. He experimented with his mother’s daycare kid audiences. He created puppets out of discarded materials. He was destined to be Elmo. And his family’s never-wavering support of his dream propelled it into reality.
When my son Sam’s Elmo switch was turned on, I sat and hung out with Elmo too. I needed to know how muppeteer Kevin Clash experienced Elmo’s world. This memoir tells a very nice tale of Kevin’s supportive childhood and determined rise to the pinnacle of puppetry – Sesame Street. There aren’t any ghosts in this closet. No troubled past to overcome. No addictions – other than to puppets. A good man has been rewarded by having the ability to be Elmo on a daily basis. It is rewarding to him not because of the financial gain or critical acclaim. It is rewarding to him because Elmo gives him a vehicle to experience what I do whenever Sammy sees Elmo again. Pure love, delight and devotion. I cannot fathom how amazing it would be to get to be the reason behind that each day when encountering children from around the world.
Maybe I shouldn’t have shied away from my puppet love. Because the moments that Kevin shares of Elmo’s encounters with his fans to highlight the various tenants of Elmo’s World (love, joy, creativity, tolerance, courage, friendship, cooperation, learning and optimism) made me all mushy inside. He parallels these interactions with tales from his own life lessons and how they shaped his beliefs and eventually became a part of Elmo’s performance.
The book has the assist of writer Gary Brozek to better convey Kevin’s thoughts, but I still found them to be a bit simple and choppy in structure. The book shines brightest when covering Elmo’s reach rather than Kevin’s past. But I appreciate learning about both. Because Elmo isn’t Elmo without Kevin. And now Kevin is really just along for Elmo’s ride – laughing all the way at the joy introduced as a result. I know this for sure. Sammy would love to wrap his arms around that furry red monster and burrow his laughing face in for a long hug. So would I.
**ADDENDUM - Not long after my review here, Clash was accused of very questionable choices and acts with minor young adults. He subsequently stopped being the voice and motion behind Elmo. As Sesame Street productions have implied, Elmo is bigger than Kevin Clash and the character has and will continue to be presented proudly. At this time, Kevin's creation of Elmo is still all that is seen on PBS, due to a full season recording in the bank when scandal erupted. I am sure understudies will emerge to continue Elmo's exuberance and message just as Henson's muppets live on with others taking over his voice. But it saddens me to know that Clash hid behind a puppet while presenting a partial memoir in this book. I don't think Elmo is a pervert. I don't fault Clash's identity as a gay man. But I have a problem with adults engaging in relationships with minors, no matter how close they are to the legal age of acceptance. We still love Elmo in our home. Because despite the discoveries about Elmo's essential creator, his furry face, smile and messages are welcome concepts for a toddler to see. But his infectious laugh will make me sad when a new muppeteer comes aboard to imitate what I always felt was a genuine gift to little children in need of an unconditional friend.**
“Older kids are a little more matter-of-fact, as if they’ve been married for twenty years and they’re picking up their keys and their bag and heading out the door with an affectionate but perfunctory ‘Love you.’ Still others are more shy and reserved, like the bashful and nervous teen letting his or her feelings be known to their crush for the first time. I often wonder how these children will express their love as adults and how many of them will remain demonstrative and unembarrassed, or if they’ll naturally pull back into more conservative styles as they grow older. It would be ridiculous if we all greeted each other the way the more enthusiastic kids greet Elmo – imagine how long it would take to get that first cup of coffee at the office with all the morning greetings in full swing! – but still, doesn’t imagining a love-filled world like that put a smile on your face?” – Pages 16-17
Elmo puts a smile on my face. Because he puts a slow-growing, massive, bright smile across my 15 month old son, Sam’s, face whenever he catches his first glimpse of Elmo on Sesame Street, on a DVD, in a book, or in passing a toy store display. My friend Stacy informed me a while back that there is a certain age when the Elmo switch goes off in the toddler world. For Sammy, that age was about 14 1/2 months. Without his buddy Elmo’s musical DVD I discovered at the library, I would never get a shower in the morning. This normally distracted toddler with the attention span of a flea will sit and play quietly with his books and a few toys for 45 minutes straight as long as Elmo is singing to him. My prior experience with Elmo was that obnoxious laugh on the Tickle Me Elmo doll decades ago. Now? I am oddly drawn to that laugh, his presence and magnetism. I became infatuated with learning as much as possible about this furry little dude.
And so I recalled the title of a memoir written by the person who performs Elmo that I learned of through a Goodreads friend many years before. Through their review of this book, I discovered that Elmo was performed by a very tall, black guy with a deep voice. I don’t know who I thought gave life to Elmo, but that certainly wasn’t my first guess. Kevin Clash was more obsessed with puppets and TV as a young child than I was. I love love love puppets. I can totally relate to how Kevin used them to overcome his shyness as a boy. They provide a perfect front for everything you want to express but are afraid to otherwise. However, Kevin didn’t drop his interest when he grew older and was an easy target as the weirdo who played with dolls. He lived for puppets and the art of performance. He studied people and artists. He experimented with his mother’s daycare kid audiences. He created puppets out of discarded materials. He was destined to be Elmo. And his family’s never-wavering support of his dream propelled it into reality.
When my son Sam’s Elmo switch was turned on, I sat and hung out with Elmo too. I needed to know how muppeteer Kevin Clash experienced Elmo’s world. This memoir tells a very nice tale of Kevin’s supportive childhood and determined rise to the pinnacle of puppetry – Sesame Street. There aren’t any ghosts in this closet. No troubled past to overcome. No addictions – other than to puppets. A good man has been rewarded by having the ability to be Elmo on a daily basis. It is rewarding to him not because of the financial gain or critical acclaim. It is rewarding to him because Elmo gives him a vehicle to experience what I do whenever Sammy sees Elmo again. Pure love, delight and devotion. I cannot fathom how amazing it would be to get to be the reason behind that each day when encountering children from around the world.
Maybe I shouldn’t have shied away from my puppet love. Because the moments that Kevin shares of Elmo’s encounters with his fans to highlight the various tenants of Elmo’s World (love, joy, creativity, tolerance, courage, friendship, cooperation, learning and optimism) made me all mushy inside. He parallels these interactions with tales from his own life lessons and how they shaped his beliefs and eventually became a part of Elmo’s performance.
The book has the assist of writer Gary Brozek to better convey Kevin’s thoughts, but I still found them to be a bit simple and choppy in structure. The book shines brightest when covering Elmo’s reach rather than Kevin’s past. But I appreciate learning about both. Because Elmo isn’t Elmo without Kevin. And now Kevin is really just along for Elmo’s ride – laughing all the way at the joy introduced as a result. I know this for sure. Sammy would love to wrap his arms around that furry red monster and burrow his laughing face in for a long hug. So would I.
**ADDENDUM - Not long after my review here, Clash was accused of very questionable choices and acts with minor young adults. He subsequently stopped being the voice and motion behind Elmo. As Sesame Street productions have implied, Elmo is bigger than Kevin Clash and the character has and will continue to be presented proudly. At this time, Kevin's creation of Elmo is still all that is seen on PBS, due to a full season recording in the bank when scandal erupted. I am sure understudies will emerge to continue Elmo's exuberance and message just as Henson's muppets live on with others taking over his voice. But it saddens me to know that Clash hid behind a puppet while presenting a partial memoir in this book. I don't think Elmo is a pervert. I don't fault Clash's identity as a gay man. But I have a problem with adults engaging in relationships with minors, no matter how close they are to the legal age of acceptance. We still love Elmo in our home. Because despite the discoveries about Elmo's essential creator, his furry face, smile and messages are welcome concepts for a toddler to see. But his infectious laugh will make me sad when a new muppeteer comes aboard to imitate what I always felt was a genuine gift to little children in need of an unconditional friend.**
March 28, 2018
I was not actually sure why I picked up this book, because I didn't watch Sesame Street much as a kid, and also not a fan of autobiographies. But, I was pleasantly surprised. You get a chance to see how different phases of life turned out for Kevin, from when he was a kid making his own puppets, to when he became Elmo, and all the other fun things he's done. And, there are small life lessons along the way in each of his stories.
March 2, 2020
Mason saw this on the shelf and wanted to read it, so I reread it with kid eyes. There are a few references to drugs, sex and alcohol, but it was very brief and tactfully done. I think my 12 yo can handle it as we have had all the talks!! It is a positive book and sure can feel the Elmo energy all over it!
February 26, 2020
I saw the documentary and when I found this book I had to read it. What can I say, I love Elmo too!
September 1, 2022
best book on the planet i absoutly love it
March 1, 2024
This was written as Elmo would have done, centering on life lessons. A great light read.
February 8, 2012
These days it is rather remarkable to read a memoir of an actor/performing artist that is unrelentingly upbeat, positive, and optimistic. Then again, would you expect anything less from the puppeteer who creates Sesame Street’s Elmo?
Kevin Clash’s memoir, My Life as a Furry Red Monster, co-written with Gary Brozek, is a warm autobiography of a man who has made a career out of being three-and-a-half. Like Elmo, Kevin Clash’s enthusiasm jumps off the page. He is sensitive, caring, and possesses a vision that allows him to see the good in all situations.
In other words, it is a highly refreshing book that leaves the reader with warm fuzzies.
His memoirs, complete with illustrations of Elmo, are divided into chapters titled Love, Joy, Creativity, Tolerance, Courage, Friendship, Cooperation, Learning, and Optimism. He starts out telling you that the life he shares with Elmo is a fairy tale filled with knights in shining armor and a few villains. Don’t be fooled though, even the villains get incredibly gentle treatment at the hands of this children’s entertainer and educator.
Kevin Clash has spent 26 years with Sesame Street and before that was a puppeteer for Captain Kangaroo. He first began puppeteering as a child, making his own puppets and putting on shows for the neighborhood. He began earning money for those shows by the time he was 12. In his work with Elmo, he’s won three Emmys for Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Series and six Emmys for an Outstanding Preschool Children’s Series as the coexecutive producer of Elmo’s World.
Throughout the book, Kevin Clash tells his own story with a sense of humility, wonder, and gratitude. He constantly praises the people around him and those who contributed to his life. He still delights in the surprise that others have that the person behind Elmo is a six-foot tall African American with a deep voice.
Kevin Clash also appears to be the rare celebrity who is in possession of a happy childhood. He tells wonderful stories about his childhood and the encouragement he got from both his parents to explore, be creative, and to pursue his own dreams. He praises the environment that they provided for him—surrounding him with other children and teaching him values that would stay with him his entire life.
He also sweetly reminisces about starting his own family and how he used Elmo to talk to his unborn daughter up until the moment he held her and began connecting with her as a father rather than through the puppet. Even his divorce he handles in a gentle and compassionate manner, spending as few words as possible and making it clear that he still sees his ex-wife as a friend and as part of the family through his daughter, Shannon.
Even in the chapter on tolerance where Kevin Clash touches upon such volatile issue as the 1968 riots he manages to inject humor. He talks about some of the bigotry that he’s come into contact with but takes a very humane approach to it. He is far more eager to focus on the people who bridge the gap rather than those who would try to tear it down. He’d far rather call attention to acts of tolerance than acts of intolerance, a trait that makes this book uplifting and sweet.
My Life as a Furry Red Monster also gives a wonderful inside look at Sesame Street and its commitments to education. He explains how learning objectives are set and the curriculum developed. Also, if you didn’t love Jim Henson before reading this book, expect that you will afterward. Here was a man who was not only a creative genius but an incredible manager who ignored most conventional business wisdom and treated his employees like friends.
The book is also the story of Elmo. We learn how he was created in a spur of the moment, the inspiration ignited from a spark of Clash’s past. Kevin Clash frequently refers to Elmo as a real person, never reducing him to fur and fabric. He has an intimate understanding of why Elmo is so beloved of children and the power that Elmo has to heal and nurture. He shows us happens in Elmo’s World and why it has such great appeal.
Kevin Clash’s subtitle is a fitting summary for the book. For the book is, like the subtitle claims, What Being Elmo Has Taught Me About Life, Love, and Laughing Out Loud.
Kevin Clash’s memoir, My Life as a Furry Red Monster, co-written with Gary Brozek, is a warm autobiography of a man who has made a career out of being three-and-a-half. Like Elmo, Kevin Clash’s enthusiasm jumps off the page. He is sensitive, caring, and possesses a vision that allows him to see the good in all situations.
In other words, it is a highly refreshing book that leaves the reader with warm fuzzies.
His memoirs, complete with illustrations of Elmo, are divided into chapters titled Love, Joy, Creativity, Tolerance, Courage, Friendship, Cooperation, Learning, and Optimism. He starts out telling you that the life he shares with Elmo is a fairy tale filled with knights in shining armor and a few villains. Don’t be fooled though, even the villains get incredibly gentle treatment at the hands of this children’s entertainer and educator.
Kevin Clash has spent 26 years with Sesame Street and before that was a puppeteer for Captain Kangaroo. He first began puppeteering as a child, making his own puppets and putting on shows for the neighborhood. He began earning money for those shows by the time he was 12. In his work with Elmo, he’s won three Emmys for Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Series and six Emmys for an Outstanding Preschool Children’s Series as the coexecutive producer of Elmo’s World.
Throughout the book, Kevin Clash tells his own story with a sense of humility, wonder, and gratitude. He constantly praises the people around him and those who contributed to his life. He still delights in the surprise that others have that the person behind Elmo is a six-foot tall African American with a deep voice.
Kevin Clash also appears to be the rare celebrity who is in possession of a happy childhood. He tells wonderful stories about his childhood and the encouragement he got from both his parents to explore, be creative, and to pursue his own dreams. He praises the environment that they provided for him—surrounding him with other children and teaching him values that would stay with him his entire life.
He also sweetly reminisces about starting his own family and how he used Elmo to talk to his unborn daughter up until the moment he held her and began connecting with her as a father rather than through the puppet. Even his divorce he handles in a gentle and compassionate manner, spending as few words as possible and making it clear that he still sees his ex-wife as a friend and as part of the family through his daughter, Shannon.
Even in the chapter on tolerance where Kevin Clash touches upon such volatile issue as the 1968 riots he manages to inject humor. He talks about some of the bigotry that he’s come into contact with but takes a very humane approach to it. He is far more eager to focus on the people who bridge the gap rather than those who would try to tear it down. He’d far rather call attention to acts of tolerance than acts of intolerance, a trait that makes this book uplifting and sweet.
My Life as a Furry Red Monster also gives a wonderful inside look at Sesame Street and its commitments to education. He explains how learning objectives are set and the curriculum developed. Also, if you didn’t love Jim Henson before reading this book, expect that you will afterward. Here was a man who was not only a creative genius but an incredible manager who ignored most conventional business wisdom and treated his employees like friends.
The book is also the story of Elmo. We learn how he was created in a spur of the moment, the inspiration ignited from a spark of Clash’s past. Kevin Clash frequently refers to Elmo as a real person, never reducing him to fur and fabric. He has an intimate understanding of why Elmo is so beloved of children and the power that Elmo has to heal and nurture. He shows us happens in Elmo’s World and why it has such great appeal.
Kevin Clash’s subtitle is a fitting summary for the book. For the book is, like the subtitle claims, What Being Elmo Has Taught Me About Life, Love, and Laughing Out Loud.
March 3, 2014
Some times a book cover is deceptive. The attractive cover is exciting. While inside the book there is a boring plot. However for "My Life as a Furry Red Monster by Kevin Clash, this is not the case." The book cover is bright and happy. The memoir of Mr. Clash is just like the cover. It's filled with his and Elmo's excited voices.
Over the years while my children were growing up, I might have forgotten about Kevin Clash and only thought about the misadventures of Elmo. There is no mistake after reading this book. Kevin Clash has a life story brimming over with a rag to riches theme and other themes not always so happy. Kevin Clash grows up in Baltimore, Md. One of the bad times is when he meets racism for the first time at school. He has been picked for the role of the main character in Guys and Dolls. One night the girl lead calls him. She wants him to give up his part in the play. The reason why is staggering to the mind and awfully sad.
Thank goodness overall Mr. Clash has led a life like a fairy tale. He had wonderful parents. He didn't like to go outside and play ball much. His preference was to play in fabric and make puppets. His parents never forced him to play more ball, go outside more like other boys. It seemed they just wanted him to feel happy.
He writes a lot about Baltimore and growing up. He also writes about his working days. His love for the wonderful man, Jim Henson, and what it took to make the toy doll, Elmo, who laughs when tickled. Most of all I enjoyed reading about Kevin Clash's childhood. How many other children have seen and talked to the "real" Captain Kangaroo in their bedroom while he looked through their puppets? Yes, it did happen to Kevin Clash.
If Elmo were telling the story, I'm sure he would use the same chapter layout. I found it exciting to read a character trait before each chapter: courage, tolerance, cooperation, friendship, etc. After I finished the book, I picked it up and looked through it again. I think the dedication explains the fact that Kevin Clash lived a childhood which all children should experience in life."To Mom And Dad, For All The Caring, Love, And Support." It's no surprise such a child should grow up to love children and want to share puppetry with them. randomhousemy-life-as-a-furry-red-monster-by-kevin-clash
Over the years while my children were growing up, I might have forgotten about Kevin Clash and only thought about the misadventures of Elmo. There is no mistake after reading this book. Kevin Clash has a life story brimming over with a rag to riches theme and other themes not always so happy. Kevin Clash grows up in Baltimore, Md. One of the bad times is when he meets racism for the first time at school. He has been picked for the role of the main character in Guys and Dolls. One night the girl lead calls him. She wants him to give up his part in the play. The reason why is staggering to the mind and awfully sad.
Thank goodness overall Mr. Clash has led a life like a fairy tale. He had wonderful parents. He didn't like to go outside and play ball much. His preference was to play in fabric and make puppets. His parents never forced him to play more ball, go outside more like other boys. It seemed they just wanted him to feel happy.
He writes a lot about Baltimore and growing up. He also writes about his working days. His love for the wonderful man, Jim Henson, and what it took to make the toy doll, Elmo, who laughs when tickled. Most of all I enjoyed reading about Kevin Clash's childhood. How many other children have seen and talked to the "real" Captain Kangaroo in their bedroom while he looked through their puppets? Yes, it did happen to Kevin Clash.
If Elmo were telling the story, I'm sure he would use the same chapter layout. I found it exciting to read a character trait before each chapter: courage, tolerance, cooperation, friendship, etc. After I finished the book, I picked it up and looked through it again. I think the dedication explains the fact that Kevin Clash lived a childhood which all children should experience in life."To Mom And Dad, For All The Caring, Love, And Support." It's no surprise such a child should grow up to love children and want to share puppetry with them. randomhousemy-life-as-a-furry-red-monster-by-kevin-clash
October 8, 2007
Why I Read This Book: My two-and-a-half-year-old son is a huge fan of Elmo, and I was curious about the man who performs him.
Review: This is an excellent and heartwarming book by and about Kevin Clash, the man who performs Elmo. It includes nice line drawings by Louis Henry Mitchell.
The book opens with a short "Welcome to 'Elmo's World'--and My World Too."
After this, the book is divided into nine sections: "Love", "Joy", "Creativity", "Tolerance", "Courage", "Friendship", "Cooperation", "Learning", and "Optimism". The book closes with a nice set of Acknowledgments.
The book tells about Kevin Clash's life growing up in the Turner's Station neighborhood of Baltimore, about how he became a puppeteer, and his experiences in performing Elmo. The book is strongly structured around the subtitle and the sections. As a result, the book would tell a story (or mention something fascinating), but not necessarily follow up on it until a later section. While this motivated me to keep reading, it was occasionally frustrating.
One nice thing about the story: Mr. Clash didn't have a single breakthrough moment as such; he persisted in his dedication to his craft, and actually had to turn *down* working with Sesame Street and Jim Henson more than once, so he could keep his other commitments. (He had been tempted to break the other commitments, but Kermit Love [who acted as one of his mentors] said that it was vital to not to get a reputation for breaking commitments.)
There are many heartwarming stories throughout, and a few glimpses behind the scenes at some of the most famous Elmo and Sesame Street pieces.
(Finished 2007-10-08 09:35 EDT)
Review: This is an excellent and heartwarming book by and about Kevin Clash, the man who performs Elmo. It includes nice line drawings by Louis Henry Mitchell.
The book opens with a short "Welcome to 'Elmo's World'--and My World Too."
After this, the book is divided into nine sections: "Love", "Joy", "Creativity", "Tolerance", "Courage", "Friendship", "Cooperation", "Learning", and "Optimism". The book closes with a nice set of Acknowledgments.
The book tells about Kevin Clash's life growing up in the Turner's Station neighborhood of Baltimore, about how he became a puppeteer, and his experiences in performing Elmo. The book is strongly structured around the subtitle and the sections. As a result, the book would tell a story (or mention something fascinating), but not necessarily follow up on it until a later section. While this motivated me to keep reading, it was occasionally frustrating.
One nice thing about the story: Mr. Clash didn't have a single breakthrough moment as such; he persisted in his dedication to his craft, and actually had to turn *down* working with Sesame Street and Jim Henson more than once, so he could keep his other commitments. (He had been tempted to break the other commitments, but Kermit Love [who acted as one of his mentors] said that it was vital to not to get a reputation for breaking commitments.)
There are many heartwarming stories throughout, and a few glimpses behind the scenes at some of the most famous Elmo and Sesame Street pieces.
(Finished 2007-10-08 09:35 EDT)
March 24, 2015
I'll give this book one thing, it was certainly adorable. It was playful, spunky and I loved the little illustrations at the beginning of each chapter.
But...
The writing was atrocious. I felt that he tried to make each sentence powerful and moving, which is not always a good thing in this case. There would be so many sentences just about Elmo's view on the world, and then he would go back to his childhood stories and the transition from Elmo to Kevin did not flow well at all. And the majority of the sentences made no sense.
I also never knew who exactly he was talking about. It had a diary feel to it. Like, there would be a bunch of names rattled off and he knew who they were but I didn't. I'm mot talking about the producers, no, I'm talking about the characters in the show. Of course I remember Big Bird, Cookie Monster (I practically worshiped him), Elmo, all of the main Muppets. But who the heck is Maria? Or Gordon? Apparently they're people and I didn't know that until the very last chapter of the book. It would have been helpful to know that they weren't actually puppets before the end of the story.
The same stories were repeated over and over again. It wasn't chronological either. So it was a bit confusing at times and a very predictable read.
In the end this is not a book I would probably recommend. This is definitely not something you would read and then be like,
"Hey! Did you know_____________________, I thought it was very interesting."
(The only thing that could possibly fit that description was the AIDS episode in the South African version of Sesame Street.)
But...
The writing was atrocious. I felt that he tried to make each sentence powerful and moving, which is not always a good thing in this case. There would be so many sentences just about Elmo's view on the world, and then he would go back to his childhood stories and the transition from Elmo to Kevin did not flow well at all. And the majority of the sentences made no sense.
I also never knew who exactly he was talking about. It had a diary feel to it. Like, there would be a bunch of names rattled off and he knew who they were but I didn't. I'm mot talking about the producers, no, I'm talking about the characters in the show. Of course I remember Big Bird, Cookie Monster (I practically worshiped him), Elmo, all of the main Muppets. But who the heck is Maria? Or Gordon? Apparently they're people and I didn't know that until the very last chapter of the book. It would have been helpful to know that they weren't actually puppets before the end of the story.
The same stories were repeated over and over again. It wasn't chronological either. So it was a bit confusing at times and a very predictable read.
In the end this is not a book I would probably recommend. This is definitely not something you would read and then be like,
"Hey! Did you know_____________________, I thought it was very interesting."
(The only thing that could possibly fit that description was the AIDS episode in the South African version of Sesame Street.)
December 6, 2012
206 pages
Biography
Well this book wasn't the best but it was cool learning about Elmo. Well first off the story tells you about Elmo or Kevin Clash life growing up. It was all about how he loved puppets when he was a kid and about how every person Keven Clash met was loved by someone and everyone was loved bye Kevin Clashes mom. It tells you about how all the neighbor hood kids would come over and just hangout and Kevin's mom just loved every kid ho came into that house and that's who Elmo is and Kevin Clash is Elmo. So then when he became older this man gave him a red puppet and told him to give it a voice and he did and the man watching him just love it and that's how he got to be Elmo on Sesame Street. This was Kevin's dream to be on Sesame Street so it was super awesome for him to be on a show. Now Elmo is all about love though their are a ton of stories about how Elmo have made kids happy bye just saying "I love you".
I didn't love this book but it wasn't bad. It could use more like excitement it was most about how Elmo loved kids and how everyone should love each other. I thought it was cool how i got to see who Elmo really is because i thought he was going to be a lot different it was awesome to find out who he really was. So the book was good but not the best book i have ever read.
Biography
Well this book wasn't the best but it was cool learning about Elmo. Well first off the story tells you about Elmo or Kevin Clash life growing up. It was all about how he loved puppets when he was a kid and about how every person Keven Clash met was loved by someone and everyone was loved bye Kevin Clashes mom. It tells you about how all the neighbor hood kids would come over and just hangout and Kevin's mom just loved every kid ho came into that house and that's who Elmo is and Kevin Clash is Elmo. So then when he became older this man gave him a red puppet and told him to give it a voice and he did and the man watching him just love it and that's how he got to be Elmo on Sesame Street. This was Kevin's dream to be on Sesame Street so it was super awesome for him to be on a show. Now Elmo is all about love though their are a ton of stories about how Elmo have made kids happy bye just saying "I love you".
I didn't love this book but it wasn't bad. It could use more like excitement it was most about how Elmo loved kids and how everyone should love each other. I thought it was cool how i got to see who Elmo really is because i thought he was going to be a lot different it was awesome to find out who he really was. So the book was good but not the best book i have ever read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2010
As a curious mom, the more my daughter watched Sesame Street and Elmo, I started wondering about the puppeteer who played Elmo. I noticed his name for not only Elmo but as a director or producer of many of the Sesame Street epidsodes. So I got interested and googled him only to find that he is this 6 foot something black man! Not at all what I expected for this little furry red monster. Then I found this book about him and decided to read it.I was blown away and touched by this book. I expected a true biography on the man behind Elmo but what I found instead was what he learned through his Elmo experiences. He shares beautiful life lessons that can be reflected in our own children that as adults, we often forget. He had so many good points and stories to share that I was surprised when I finished this in a night. I think it's a book that every parent (and person for that matter) should read. It offers beautiful insight to things as basic as love, friendship, courage, and hope. And that sometimes if we could all share the beauty of childhood, what a beautiful world it would be. Great book!
October 18, 2012
I often think it is interesting how someone found out about a book. Often I will be walking in the Library and see a cover and take it from there. With this book, it was a series of events. A few months ago I was skimming Netflix and saw this documentary. Eh Elmo's not my favorite character but the documentary was not only about him. I fell in love. Oh the movie was so cool! Time marches on, I am listening to NPR's Wait Wait dont tell me... and Kevin and Elmo are guests, which they mention this book. I was a bit nervous that the book would just be a rehashing or pre-hashing (depending on the time line) of the movie. I was WRONG! By page 20 I had laughed, laughed out loud and cried. I was hooked. I already plan on gifting this book this holiday season. The book interweaves stories from Kevin's childhood to "present" day. (written in 2006) It also teaches and shows how lessons are taught. Watch out you might learn something! In true Sesame Street Fashion. It is a quick read, I read it in one night. I highly recommend this book, to anyone. It is more then just a "puppet" and the voice behind it.
January 13, 2009
This was a cute book I picked up at the library, I couldn't resist knowing more about the 6 ft tall black man that is the ebullient voice behind Elmo, who I came to love when my kids were very young, though he wasn't on the Sesame Street of my youth. A great book for young readers, I think, because it really shows how following your passion can lead to success. He recalls many hours spent creating puppets in his home, and I can tell you right now, if my kid spent all day making puppets, I wouldn't think to myself that he had a future in that endeavor.
This memoir is broken into thematic sections like Cooperation, Love,etc. which dovetail nicely with the whole Sesame Street curriculum and message. I even learned a little about some Sesame Street spinoffs, if you will, in other countries - particularly South Africa, which was very interesting information. It is a memoir by a non-writer, so in that sense, it isn't great literature, but I enjoyed it enough to finish, so if you're a closet Elmo fan, give it a whirl, it is quick and easy.
This memoir is broken into thematic sections like Cooperation, Love,etc. which dovetail nicely with the whole Sesame Street curriculum and message. I even learned a little about some Sesame Street spinoffs, if you will, in other countries - particularly South Africa, which was very interesting information. It is a memoir by a non-writer, so in that sense, it isn't great literature, but I enjoyed it enough to finish, so if you're a closet Elmo fan, give it a whirl, it is quick and easy.
October 20, 2012
I just finished this book called My Life As A Furry Red Monster by Kevin Clash with 206 pages and a genre of biogrophy. My summery of this book is that it all started when the person who plays Elmo it never said his real name went to a craft store. The first thing he saw was red and furry he went home thought up Elmo with his dads help. The story also talks about how he grew up in not the best situation with his mom having a at home babysitting company where all of the nabjor kids would come over to his house and spend the day while he was at school. The person who plays Elmo got his job when he was older and he started as a smaller guy not even using a puppet then he kept getting recruited and then sesame street came alive.i think this was a good book but it was always so so so slow it was kind of fun to learn about the person who plays Elmo. One of the quotes always said was "Elmo loves you.
April 15, 2008
Elmo. He's cute, he's furry, and for years he's been teaching the world to ask questions, to be creative, and to love with a pure heart. Odd but I never really thought about an actual person "being" Elmo.
My Life as a Furry Red Monster is written by Kevin Clash, the voice and puppeteer behind that furry red smile. In hearing his story, you understand that Elmo is merely an extension of the way this man tries to live his life. Kevin grew up in a household full of love where creativity was encouraged. At a very early age, he made all sorts of puppets. His shyness magically disappeared when he was entertaining others with his creativity. His greatest wish was to join the team at Sesame Street which took a lot of perseverance and hard work.
I may have picked up this book because Elmo was on the cover but Kevin's story will stick with me. It reminded me that dreams can come true.
My Life as a Furry Red Monster is written by Kevin Clash, the voice and puppeteer behind that furry red smile. In hearing his story, you understand that Elmo is merely an extension of the way this man tries to live his life. Kevin grew up in a household full of love where creativity was encouraged. At a very early age, he made all sorts of puppets. His shyness magically disappeared when he was entertaining others with his creativity. His greatest wish was to join the team at Sesame Street which took a lot of perseverance and hard work.
I may have picked up this book because Elmo was on the cover but Kevin's story will stick with me. It reminded me that dreams can come true.
June 22, 2011
Rather than a biography, or a memoir, Kevin Clash's book about his life as the voice and spirit of the Muppet Elmo is a collection of short essays about what Elmo can teach us about life (hence the subtitle). Chapters include "Love," "Joy," "Creativity," "Tolerance," and others. Those looking for a book full of details about Muppeteering, Sesame Street, or other assorted topics will be disappointed. Personally, I was unimpressed. The lessons that Clash has learned from Elmo (and that millions of children learn daily as well) were not ones I had been looking for. To love openly, laugh often, and treat others with respect are things I had learned from Sesame Street long ago. As an adult, I was far more interested in what being the man behind Elmo was really like; I believe the upcoming documentary about Clash and Elmo will suit me far better than this book does.
January 6, 2012
Even though I'm not a fan of Elmo (I grew up watching "Sesame Street" when it was an ensemble show, not a showcase for the little red menace), I did enjoy reading about his creator, Kevin Clash. Clash seems like a genuinely nice person who is very grateful for and humbled by the enormous success of his character, and his words show he's more than just the man behind the Muppet monster. "My Life..." isn't a traditional biography, but more or less a colorful potpourri of shared incidents from Clash's personal life and career. The anecdotes sprinkled throughout the book are interesting and entertaining. I particularly enjoyed reading about his willingness to stay working for two television shows in spite of several offers from his dream job- puppeteering for Jim Henson. Clash's success story is inspiring and endearing.
July 18, 2007
Kevin Clash is a Sesame Street puppeteer. He is better known as that red furry ticklish guy named Elmo. Kevin tells his tale of growing up in a loving African American family. The lessons learned from his parents and the support they imparted to their son is a wonder to behold. Mr. Clash tells of his beginnings in local TV and of eventually realizing his dream as a puppeteer on Sesame Street. Clash reflects on the teachings that Elmo has been able to impart over the 20 years of his furry existence. Bringing hope, love and laughter to children and adults alike. A fun read with nice life lessons thrown in for extra measure. Book #49 of my 2006 Book List, finished reading it on 10-13-06.
August 10, 2008
Since my kid's obsessed, I decided to read about the man behind the Muppet. And I must say, I am impressed by what I read! Kevin Clash seems like an awesome, awesome guy. I really admire him and his dedication to entertaining and educating children. I also gained more appreciation for Jim Henson, who I've always loved (Kermit is my man), and for Sesame Street itself, which I didn't know much about. Hooray for Muppets!
The reason I didn't give it higher star rating is simply because it's not the best writing. Not that I expected it to be, but still, it ain't no can't-breathe-until-this-book-is-finished kind of novel. And only those get the five stars in my book. But as far as the man himself goes, Kevin Clash is a five-star buckaroo!
The reason I didn't give it higher star rating is simply because it's not the best writing. Not that I expected it to be, but still, it ain't no can't-breathe-until-this-book-is-finished kind of novel. And only those get the five stars in my book. But as far as the man himself goes, Kevin Clash is a five-star buckaroo!
April 19, 2011
Very sweet.
Almost too sweet.
But then, what would you expect from Elmo!?
Kevin Clash tells about his life growing up in Turner's Station, Maryland and his childhood from sharing a room with his siblings, putting on puppet shows for the neighborhood kids and turning down his first two job offers in hopes of landing a Sesame Street gig that didn't come through.
He relates many of his own life experiences to story-lines that Elmo has experienced on the show and they reveal just how similar the 6ft. tall black man is to the red, furry 3 year-old monster.
The book was short in stature and in pages and would be an inspiring piece of nonfiction for other Muppet Lovers, but also anyone who wants to achieve a dream that just doesn't "look" like them.
Almost too sweet.
But then, what would you expect from Elmo!?
Kevin Clash tells about his life growing up in Turner's Station, Maryland and his childhood from sharing a room with his siblings, putting on puppet shows for the neighborhood kids and turning down his first two job offers in hopes of landing a Sesame Street gig that didn't come through.
He relates many of his own life experiences to story-lines that Elmo has experienced on the show and they reveal just how similar the 6ft. tall black man is to the red, furry 3 year-old monster.
The book was short in stature and in pages and would be an inspiring piece of nonfiction for other Muppet Lovers, but also anyone who wants to achieve a dream that just doesn't "look" like them.
September 21, 2008
The author jumps around between the current day and days past, and between his job as the puppeteer of Elmo and his life outside work. So sometimes I was confused. There are some good parts of this; the chapters are titled Love, Joy, Creativity, Tolerance, Courage, Friendship, Cooperation, Learning and Optimism. I liked the chapter on Tolerance the best. I found it the most interesting, as it talked about racial issues he encountered in the 60's and the resistance they found in S. Africa trying to do story lines about AIDS. There were bits and pieces in the rest of the book that were interesting, but in general it was just an OK book. Quick read though.
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