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Summary: What A Great Read!
Review: Anyone who grew up with Sesame Street, or have kids who grew up with Sesame Street will be fascinated to learn about the man who has brought Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch to life for over 30 years! Caroll Spinney really is a living legend and he has the stories and wisdom to prove it. This book has funny, inspiring and very touching moments and it just makes you feel good. You can't go wrong with 'The Wisdom of Big Bird.'
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Summary: A poet from La Jolla
Review: Carol Spinney is a poet at heart. He personifies the kind, feeling character he brings to life--because he truly is that character. Milligan and Spinney touch our deepest humanity in a book of both lightness and depth. This is a book for you to enjoy and give to those you love. Spinney's sketches are a lovely bonus.
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Summary: The autobiography of the Bird
Review: Carol Spinney's and J Milligan's writing style is as simple and accessible as the lessons to be gleaned from the book. Reading more like an autobiography than a book of wisdom, the anecdotes are at times a bit repetitive and of marginal value. Still, the lessons that Spinney shares with us are valuable and often forgotten in our society today. Reading this book has renewed a bit of my childhood, the time when I loved Big Bird more than anything else on television. The book would have been better had Spinney spent more time on how Big Bird's character influenced his own personality, and less on the "behind-the-scenes" aspects of Sesame Street. Overall recommended, but don't expect more than this book promises.
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Summary: Fascinating Story of Wisdom from The Big Bird
Review: During vacation with our daughter in Connecticut I even felt closer to Home of the Big Bird! The first of 7 new books hooked me by the cover picture and title... Even the intimate story of Caroll Spinney: "Playing Big Bird has been my job for half my lifetime. It is a fabulous career- more than I ever hoped for, yet everything I believed it could be. Going to work everyday is a joy. The people I work with are tremendously talented...to educate and inspire young children is extremely motivating."
"Jim Henson's office held an imposing mahogany table with carved lions for legs as his desk. Over the fireplace hung a majestic papermache`& wire moosehead looking down on us..." Caroll Spinney paints an intimate, friendly picture of gifted and creative genius of Jim Henson: "I pictured making Big Bird a large feathered creature-who is very funny and very silly. Oscar will be a purple Grouch, a furry creature that lives in a pile of litter and trash in the gutter."
When Bob Hope invited Big Bird and wife, Debra to go to China with his Show, he saw Big Bird for the first time. Pointing at the Bird, "Wow! Look at that!" Big Bird looked at Hope, and said, "I thought I had a funny-looking Beak!" Bob burst into great guffaws of laughter! Big Bird followed-up, "Gosh, I didn't know you'd be so Short!" Hope quickly summed-up his meeting with the Bird, "Let's open-up with those lines, they are funnier than our Stuff!"
Finishing my second reading of Big Bird, I was deeply moved by his quoting Emily Dickinson, "Hope is the thing with feathers."
Others like, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, "I just can't Dance" and Flip Wilson. As Big Bird learned to dance by pretending, "I can count in-my-head and still dance!" A delight to both read and discuss with my grown children and grandchildren! Don't miss it!
Retired Chaplain, Fred W Hood
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Summary: i love this book
Review: I got this book the first day it came out and read it so quickly. I couldnt put it down. It is so interseting and great. I recomend this book to everyone. iI love iT!!!
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Summary: Inspiring little read...lighthearted and thoughtful.
Review: I grew up on Sesame Street. I love the show and I really liked this book. It flowed smoothly from chapter to chapter. Carol really loves his job and it is evident from his writing.People complained about the size of the book, and I admit, I wish it was longer, but that wouldn't turn me away from it. If you enjoy learning about "behind the scenes" happenings...this book is for you. Sure wish I could find a job on Sesame Street!! ADDENDUM: Caroll Spinney recently gave a book lecture, which I attended with my daughter. He talked about the book, referencing many events he wrote about. See him in person, if you get the chance! He brought Oscar and Oscar is very funny on book tours!
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Summary: Exceeded Expectations
Review: I half saw Mr. Spinney's interview on TV the other morning and was very intrigued with the idea of the book. Having grown up (and actually recently watched a few episodes of) Sesame Street, I decided to buy the book to read on a business trip. With a title like "The Wisdom of Big Bird," many things came to my mind. I was really expecting a somewhat light-hearted "7 Habits"-type book with excerpts from past Sesame episodes explaining the philosophical ideals. This was not the case - Little did I know that Spinney (with the help of J. Milligan) would expertly tell his life with an "inside-view" as the world's best-known educational Muppet. With his tasteful reminisces of the late Henson & Mr. Hooper, Spinney brought back the memories of an era and provided me with an adult illustration of a world of pure innocence. The book provides a beautiful look at the beloved Bird and his soul. Thank you Caroll for taking your dreams and making them every child's reality!
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Summary: I loved it & want more.....
Review: I just finished this book, which I have to admit I picked up because I adore the Muppets, and can't wait to read more. This book gave an initmate look at life under those comical and comforting bubble eyes. I laughed at the memories and even cried when Mr. Spinney discusses the life and death of both Jim Henson and Mr. Hooper. I enjoyed getting a unique, behind the scenes perspective on something that has had a major impact on my life. Thanks to Mr. Spinney for teaching compassion and that it is ok to be a little different and dream your own dream. The world is a better place with Big Bird, & Oscar.
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Summary: I loved it & want more.....
Review: I just finished this book, which I have to admit I picked up because I adore the Muppets, and can't wait to read more. This book gave an initmate look at life under those comical and comforting bubble eyes. I laughed at the memories and even cried when Mr. Spinney discusses the life and death of both Jim Henson and Mr. Hooper. I enjoyed getting a unique, behind the scenes perspective on something that has had a major impact on my life. Thanks to Mr. Spinney for teaching compassion and that it is ok to be a little different and dream your own dream. The world is a better place with Big Bird, & Oscar.
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Summary: Still Inspired by the Bird
Review: Most of us have learned a thing or two watching Sesame Street. After reading this book I realize that I still have a lot to learn. And who better to learn it from than our old favorite, Big Bird. (Or should we say the man inside the bird, Caroll Spinney). The book was funny, insightful, entertaining and inspirational. Getting a glimpse into the man behind the bird was truly a pleasure to read.
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