My Life as a Furry Red Monster: What Being Elmo Has Taught Me About Life, Love, and Laughing Out Loud - Kevin Clash with Gary Brozek
In the space of just 20 years, his infectious and unique laugh, his unhindered imagination, his playful spirit, and his love for others have made him a national icon. Kevin Clash, the creative force and voice behind Elmo, interweaves the story of his life with reflections on why Elmo is so dearly loved. Who would have ever thought that Elmo is voiced by a 45-year old, six-foot tall black man? Learning about Kevin's family life and his early interest in puppetry and performance was interesting, but the real heart of this book lies in hearing about Elmo through his creator's eyes. To Kevin, Elmo "represents youthful curiosity and innocence" combined with "childlike simplicity" and "the wisdom of an old soul" (4). This childlikeness is useful at all stages of life, for it possesses a "certain magical quality... that can be preserved and used as an inner strength throughout adulthood" (5). Elmo greets everyone with an wild enthusiasm. "He looks at each meeting as an opportunity for fun" (133-134). Kevin writes, "It would be ridiculous if we all greeted each other the way the more enthusiastic kids greet Elmo... but still, doesn't imagining a love-filled world like that put a smile on your face?" (17) Elmo ends each meeting with, "Elmo loves you!" "Elmo may not use a lot of big words, and he may not be very tall, but day after day, he's bursting with a message of hope and is full of enthusiasm for life. Like children all over the globe, he teaches us that we can always reach a little higher, jump a little farther, do a little better. What would happen if we all lived our lives that way? Maybe it would mean a happy ending. That's Elmo's world. It can be our world, too" (206-207).