The Thing at 52

By Mr. Ross Montgomery, Richard Johnson (Illustrator)

A girl befriends a monster, sparking adventures and a community, until the inevitable goodbye.

4.2/5 Goodreads · 183 ratings

40 pages

$18.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

A girl discovers a lonely monster living at number 52 and offers him a flower, igniting an unexpected friendship. Together, they embark on magical adventures, but soon she learns there are many more like him. She throws a party for all the Things, creating a joyful community. Yet, as all Things must, her friend eventually leaves, teaching her about the beauty and pain of saying goodbye. This touching tale explores how small gestures can forge deep connections and how those bonds can provide solace in times of loss. Will she find comfort in the community she built?

From the publisher

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.

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