The Thing at 52

by Ross Montgomery, Richard Johnson (Illustrator)

Overview

Spark meaningful discussions about loneliness, friendship, community, and coping with loss with this enchantingly illustrated story about a girl who befriends a monster.

There’s a Thing on my street.
He lives at number 52.
I see him sitting in his front yard when I walk to school.

He was big and lumbering and a wore a tiny top hat perched on top of his rather large head. She didn’t think he had any friends, so she brought him a flower.
 
It wasn’t long before their friendship bloomed…the Thing was gentle and kind and the adventures they went on were the best she could ever imagine.

The girl soon discovered that there were many Things, living all over the place…which gave her an idea. She invited them all to a party, and the Things danced till midnight. Thing had never felt so happy.

But one day the Thing had to go and their adventures came to an end.
All Things have to go sometime…

In this poignant story, discover how small acts of kindness can grow into great friendships, and how the community you build from those friendships can provide comfort and companionship when you need it most.

Written by the beloved children’s author Ross Montgomery, and illustrated by the incredible Richard Johnson, The Thing at 52 offers a comfortable starting point for discussing difficult topics with children. The book’s magic will draw you back again and again.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780711279162
Publisher:	Frances Lincoln Children's Books
Publication date:	07/18/2023
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	494,385
Product dimensions:	9.65(w) x 11.75(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Ross Montgomery has worked as a pig farmer, a postman and an elementary school teacher, so obviously writing books was the next logical step. He spent his childhood reading everything he could get his hands on, from Jacqueline Wilson to Beano annuals, and it taught him pretty much everything that’s worth knowing. If you looked through his pockets you’d find empty potato chip packets, lists of things to do, and a bottle of that stuff you put on your nails to stop you biting them. He lives in London with his girlfriend, a cat called Fun Bobby, and a cactus on every available surface.

Richard Johnson is an illustrator whose picture books have been published by Penguin, Faber & Faber, Macmillan, DK, and many others. His work is deeply thoughtful and conjures up powerful atmospheres with detailed, delicate pencil strokes.

Editorial Reviews

08/14/2023

First-person storytelling by Montgomery describes the friendship that blossoms between a tan-skinned child narrator and a gray shaggy Thing in this melancholy story. Noticing that the neighborhood Thing is constantly alone, an empathic child goes over to offer a flower. The Thing—who lives with a single chair, newspaper rugs, and a fridge full of mustard—reciprocates with an invitation to come inside for a cup of gravy. Soon, the pair hang out every day after the child’s school (“He’d help me with math while I fed him mustard”). On an outing to the beach, the duo spot another Thing in the air (“all Things have to go sometime,” says the child’s companion), and the youth is inspired to throw a party to connect the creatures. The event proves sustaining when the relationship comes abruptly to its conclusion—one of many unexpected aspects of this unusual story. Johnson’s creatures are furry and huggable amid wispy, soft-edged artwork that partners readily with the text’s wistful tone. The creators’ worldbuilding teeters between the realistically familiar and the bizarre in this sensitive portrayal of an unlikely friendship. Ages 4–7. (July)

Publishers Weekly

a "sensitive portrayal of an unlikely friendship."—Publishers Weekly

'A gentle picture book in soft focus and glowing colours about a child who befriends and loses a lonely creature in her neighbourhood. A compassionate and inspiring story.'—The Sunday Times

"a truly beautiful book that will cause many an insightful conversation between a young child and their parent, or teacher, when read together."—The Independent Children's Book of the Week

“A young girl befriends a monster in this poignant exploration of loneliness which is stunningly illustrated by Richard Johnson.”—The Bookseller

“What a wonderful way to introduce the concept of loss, memories and new beginnings to children.”—Grief Encounter

"a beautiful story about loneliness, loss and then moving on.” —Marmalade Trust

“Each page is stunningly illustrated and so pleasing to the eye, which everyone will enjoy.”—The Herald

"Heartwarming and insightful.”—The Sunday Post

"Powerfully atmospheric and bursting with soft colour, Richard Johnson's pencil illustrations create a world that shines with emotion."—Books for Keeps

From the Publisher