After almost thirty-five years inside Big Bird and Oscar, not to mention the thirty-five years it took him to get to Sesame Street, Caroll has written his inspirational memoirs--The Wisdom of Big Bird. Publisher's Weekly calls it "charming and uplifting."

The Wisdom of Big Bird (and the Dark Genius of Oscar the Grouch) Lessons Learned from a Life in Feathers

by Caroll Spinney with J Milligan

Publisher: Villard Books
Synopsis
Caroll Spinney has spent half of his life inside a giant puppet. He has also brought joy to millions of children (and their parents) all over the world. Enclosed in this gem of a book are the stories that Big Bird and his alter-ego, Oscar the Grouch, have taught Caroll Spinney, in 34 years of performing on Sesame Street.

Each chapter illustrates a piece of useful wisdom Caroll has gleaned from a career in feathers. The lessons Big Bird teaches children every day on Sesame Street are the very same ones that have brought him happiness in his own life.


About the Author
Caroll Spinney has performed Big Bird and Oscar on Sesame Street since the show's inception in 1969. Prior to that, he performed on Bozo's Big Top in Boston for ten years, was a commercial artist and animator, and served in the Air Force.

Some of the highlights of Caroll's career include: international appearances in China, Japan, Australia, and Europe; several visits to the White House; conducting orchestras across the US and Canada; starring in Follow that Bird; and winning four Emmys, two Grammys, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the Library of Congress's Living Legend award.

Caroll lives with his wife, Debra, in New England. They have three children.


About the Writer
J Milligan was the Creative Director and Head Writer at Sesame Workshop's Interactive department for five years. He met Caroll through working with him on numerous CD-ROM and video game recording sessions, and proposed this book over pancakes in Hawaii. In addition to writing for the Sesame Street characters and designing games, J's work has been published in The New Yorker, word.com, and XXL magazine. He has completed his first novel, Jack Fish. J lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Amy Yang, three cats and a dog.