The Thing at 52

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.

Author: Ross Montgomery
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Published: 07/18/2023
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.03lbs
Size: 11.67h x 9.60w x 0.45d
ISBN: 9780711279162
Audience: Ages 4-8

Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 08/14/2023

About the Author

Ross Montgomery has worked as a farmer, a postman, and a school teacher, so writing books was the next logical step. He spent his childhood reading everything he could get his hands on, and it taught him pretty much everything that's worth knowing. If you looked through his pockets you'd find empty 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 are published by Penguin, Faber & Faber, Macmillan, DK and many other publishers. His work is deeply thoughtful and conjures powerful atmospheres with detailed, delicate pencil strokes.