It's Not Easy Being Green: And Other Things to Consider

The loss of Jim Henson greatly diminished the world. "It's Not Easy Being Green: And Other Things to Consider" gathers together some of Henson's thoughts on a variety of topics. What comes through is an individual who was deeply concerned with making a contribution to the world, and how we can all live a life in harmony with ourselves, with other people, and the world around us. This is a short read, a book for keeping in the bag on the way to work and other times when losing yourself in pleasant thoughts and deeper private reflection is appropriate.

"It's Not Easy Being Green" is a tribute to the late puppeteer Jim Henson, a collection containing some of his advice and insight as well as memories of Henson by those who knew him. Henson's simple illustrations are sprinkled throughout the book. Also included are comments by the Muppets and other characters he created. My favorites are the exchanges between Muppets Bert and Ernie. The short entries are inspirational ("[Children] don't remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are." -Henson) and funny ("As you start traveling down that road of life, remember ... The places you're going to are never on the map.... So forget the map, roll down the windows, and whenever you can, pull over and have a picnic with a pig." - Kermit). The book is edited by Henson's daughter, Cheryl Henson, and would make a charming gift.

Jim Henson's creativity boggles my mind to this day. This is a little book of quips relevant to his philosophy and I love the peek into his genius. Speaking of genius - Ray Charles wrote of Jim Henson: "The words say "It's not easy being green'" but the song is about knowing who you are. And in it you hear Jim's message most clearly. He believed that people are good and that they want to do their best and no matter how or why we might be different from anybody else, we should learn to love who we are and be proud of it." Amen.

Keep your Plato, your Socrates, your Descartes -- for my money the greatest philosophers of all time were Charles Schulz and Jim Henson. This new book is a nice little summary of the thoughts and dreams of the latter. Edited by his daughter, Cheryl Henson, "It's not Easy Being Green" is a collection of writings and observations by the great Jim Henson himself, by many of the Muppet characters he created over his all-too-brief time on this Earth, and by the many friends he accrued over the years. The book is divided into segments by theme -- including ideas like dreams, companionship and love. All the things that Henson's creations exemplify. The quotes by Henson himself are reflections of his own personal philosophy, while the quotes by characters from The Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock, Sesame Street and Henson's many other projects are extensions of that, showing how his beliefs and his heart touched his creations. The quotes by friends, such as Ray Charles, Frank Oz and other Muppeteers famous "guests" of the Muppets, usually give insight into Henson himself, and how his beliefs touched his life, his work, and by extension, the entire world. The book is also dotted with sketches by Henson -- early drawings of the Muppet characters, various doodles, and even a cut-away diagram that shows how a performer would operate a Big Bird-like suit. It's a nice little addition to a good book. I can't imagine anyone not loving the Muppets. I don't know if I'd want to meet that person. And Jim Henson himself was a performer whose imagination was matched only by his heart. This book is a wonderful portrait of that.