“This delightful book illuminates a man’s journey from child to parent, student to teacher, puppeteer to Muppeteer, and reveals to us who our favorite red furry monster really is—a gifted, humane, empathetic entertainer named Kevin Clash. His book is a meditation on the things that really matter—to Elmo and to all of us.” —Julianne Moore

My Life as a Furry Red Monster

The master puppeteer behind Elmo shares the lessons he's learned from his famous alter ego and best friend of millions of children the world over.

For the past seventeen years, Kevin Clash has lived a secret life of the best and most rewarding kind, taking on the identity of the beloved cherry red monster known as Elmo. The seven-time Emmy winner performs to an audience of 120 million boys and girls who tune in daily to Elmo's World, bringing Elmo to life in such a way that even adults forget there is a man behind the muppet.

After spending so many years by Elmo's side, Kevin has been able to see beyond his alter ego's obvious cuddly charms to the real way the puppet connects with those around him. In My Life as a Furry Red Monster, Clash shares what he has learned about love, joy, creativity, friends, and more from this most unlikely of teachers—and how all of us can benefit from acting a little more like Elmo.

Published by Broadway Books
September 2006
hardcover / 208 pages
ISBN: 0767923758