Let's Talk About It: Extraordinary Friends

by Fred Rogers, Jim Judkis (Photographer)

When parents remarry, children face some hard changes. Suddenly part of a new family, they may feel displaced and worried. There are new rules that take getting used to. If there are new siblings, the oldest child may suddenly be the youngest, and a child who once had his or her own room may have to share a room. In face, they may have to learn to share a lot more things -- and people! The biggest question children in stepfamilies seem to have is: "Where is my place in this family?"

In his characteristically gentle way, Fred Rogers writes that children can play a part in working our their new place in the family be learning to express their concerns and feelings. He emphasizes that all the members of the family may have the same concerns and worries. He reminds children that a stepfamily may bring new people into their lives who will love and care for them, and who will share new good times with them.

For all children who have a new family, this book can help them understand how to find their place.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Disability

Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Fred McFeely Rogers was an American educator, minister, songwriter, and television host. Rogers was the host of the television show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, in production from 1968 to 2001. Rogers was also an ordained Presbyterian minister.

Reviews

[Charmaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title (italicize): Let’s Talk About It: Extraordinary Friends

Author: Fred Rogers

Genre: Children picture book, Fiction

Theme(s): Communication, Empathy, Being open to learn from each other, Accepting people difference, how to approach, and be friends with someone who is different than you, self-advocacy

Opening line/sentence (type directly from text): “There are all sorts of people in the world, and every one of us is different.”

Brief Book Summary (2-3 sentences in your own words): The author introduce 6 friends, 3 with a disability and 3 without. Although some of the chidden have differences, they also share common things with each other. Throughout the book the author talks about how young children may be afraid to speak up, or not understand why someone with a disability may speak, or act a certain way, however, encouraging students to talk about whatever their curious about to grownup is helpful in order for students to be comfortable to learn about other people differences. This book also reinforce for students to not let their fear prevent them from being friends with someone who may look different than them. The author provides useful tips, and advice for students who may want to approach another student who is different than them, but don't know how to.

Response to Two Professional Reviews (3-4 sentences in your own words): Nicole and Kemar both agreed that this book is great for young children's because it teaches them that despite any differences someone may have, everyone in alike in many ways. I agree with both reviews, and also enjoyed the book because it teach young children to not only to not let their fear prevent them from learning about each other, and to get to know each other, but it also encourage children to talk to a grownup about any questions they may have. This is important for young children to learn about each other in a safe judgmental free zone.

Tell Me Framework (4 sentences in your own words):
Like(s): I like how the author emphasized asking if someone need help instead of assuming they need help because of their disability , In the beginning the author introduce the children with disabilities, and what they like, the cover of the book which illustrate a child who is in a wheelchair likes to play just like the child without a disability
Dislike(s): The book was sort of lengthy
Patterns(s): All the children is offered support and love despite differences
Puzzle(s): I was confused why the author never also stated the children type of disability when introducing each children in the beginning of the book. Was there a purpose for the author to not do so?

Consideration of Instructional Application (3-4 sentences in your own words): I would use this book in a preschool classroom by first reminding the preschoolers rules, and guidelines for the classroom which includes creating a safe, learning environment for the children, respecting everyone the way they want to be treated, and the classroom being a place where students is allowed to ask questions without being afraid, or judged by the other students. I would than hang the rules up where it is easily to accessed and look back to. I would have circle time where I would have a discussion with the class about people who may not look like them such as those with special needs or have a disability. We want to challenge the stereotypes people have set for those who have disability such as they are not capable of doing things someone without a disability can do because of their differences, or even not having things in common with a nondisabled child. I will open the room to any students who may have questions that relates to disabled, and special needs children's and ways we as a community can prevent any misassumptions people have about people with disabilities , or special needs.

[Daniel L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You are special." That's the comforting message from Mister Rogers. And by "special," Fred Rogers does not mean empty praise merely to inflate egos. Each of us is unique in his or her special way. With this, it is apt that Mister Rogers would introduce readers to other children who are different from them, in that they have a disability. With his characteristic empathy, understanding, and honesty, he acknowledges that these people who look or act different can make on feel uneasy. Yet, after taking the time to get to know these people, they are also much like them: they have hobbies, favorite foods, and like to be with others. In that way, Mister Rogers neither puts these extraordinary friends on a pedestal (what many in the self-advocacy community refer to as "disability porn") nor presents them as objects of pity. Before he starts his narrative, Rogers introduces us to six children. Three have disabilities (though he does not reveal what kind), and three do not. With each of the six children, Mister Rogers simply explains what they like to do and their favorite food. Throughout, Mister Rogers gives tips on etiquette, to ensure both parties are comfortable. In acknowledging differences as well as what we share in common, we are simply being real friends.

Although the book's positive message merits five stars, the writing is better suited to having an adult read the book aloud to the child. The message, however, is very much geared to the child, told in Fred Rogers's own wonderful way.

[Sarah Beth Stair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary:
"Let's Talk about It: Extraordinary Friends" explains to readers how they can be friends with people who are different than them, and teaches how to be accepting and loving of everyone. Photographs are distributed throughout that depict everyday life and experiences that children might have encountering friends who may be extraordinary. The words tell readers how they can make amazing friendships despite the fact that people are very different.

Analysis:
I really love this book and its message. I think it is so incredible for children to be exposed to all kinds of people and all sorts of disabilities at a young age. This will teach them about equality and treating all friends with love.

How I will use this book:
I want to use this book to teach my students about inclusivity and loving every neighbor as yourself. This will help them understand that accepting other people is the natural response they will have for their life continuing on.

[Brenley Colbert]

This book is all about how to be a good friend to those who look different than you. As humans, we all want to be loved and that can be achieved by having good friends. One thing I really liked about this book was how it played out a situation of a kid with no disability asking a kid with a disability what it is like. Some people are afraid of what they don't know and a lot of times that includes disabilities. Asking about devices people use to speak or things they use to get around is not inappropriate if you are truly seeking to learn and respect.

I think this would be good to read to any class because it is an ongoing issue about people not knowing how to interact with those with disabilities or seeing them as less than.

I would ready this to elementary or middle level classes. I think as kids are younger but growing up it can be very beneficial to teach them how to have these conversations. That way it can be easier for them to have those interactions as they grow up.

[Alison Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well who didn't love Mr. Rogers as a kid. He can take anything and make a connection to real life. This book is about how to become friends with students in wheelchairs or students with disabilities because sometimes it can be a harder subject for children to talk about just because they simply don't know. This is a good learning book to teach students about why and how students are disabled and answers some questions along the way that students in the class may have. I like this book, but then again it is very factual and sometimes does not grasp children attention as much as we want it to.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Mr Rogers, so what else do you expect? This helps normalize the idea of disability with kids and actually gives great suggestions, like telling kids that if they see another disabled kid, ask if they need help first before just helping, that other kids might communicate in different ways that's cool to learn about, that abled and disabled kids have common interests, things like that.

[Jurene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a great book. It shows compassion and how we can be more alike than we thought. A good read for kids.

[Brittany Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fred Rogers was not the typical T.V. icon. Instead, his passion was for helping children understand the many different aspects of life, even the aspects that may be difficult to understand. In this book, Mr. Rogers explains what disabilities are to young readers. The focus of the book is that those with disabilities are just like everyone else in many ways. The book begins by not directly addressing disabilities, but instead showing pictures of those with disabilities and talking about differences. The book also addresses how kids might have some questions about others with disabilities and that they should ask those questions to adults that they know. The book continues from there to discuss other aspects and ends by talking about friendship.

I think that this is a great book for kids. The writing was not the best and somewhat vague at times, but the pictures were great. I think that having the pictures be photographs instead of illustrations was a great choice. It helps young readers to better understand what disabilities look like realistically.

I think that this book could be used in a classroom to discuss disabilities. It is a great book to help promote children to have a positive outlook on those with disabilities.

[Caitlin Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. This book is about children may be curious about children with exceptionalities and reminds them that everyone is different and special. I really liked this book. It encourages children to build relationships with people who are different from them. The message was so encouraging and inspiring. This would be a good book to read if there were going to be students with special needs in your class and to encourage children to ask questions.

[Sa Ho · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, the author tells the readers that everyone is different in this world and alike in many ways. All people want to love and be loved. In this story, six children have disabilities, but they are still happy, because they are extraordinary friends. The author also tells us some ways how to make new friends, help each other, and have fun with each other.

[Nicole Bell]

This is a great book. Children learn to talk about what they’re “wondering and feeling with …grownups”. Children also learn that we are “alike in many ways” and that “we all want to love and be loved”.

[Kemar Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book Extraordinary Friends is a great book for children. The story details the many differences of people. This book is great and once again it has an excellent message that everybody has many unique qualities.

[Angie Quinn-Clark]

The book Extraordinary Friends is an awesome book for children and adults. The author Fred Rogers is an excellent writer who in an intelligent and calm manner encourages children to form relationships with people who are different from themselves. I have been a fan of Fred Rogers’s teachings since growing up watching him on the television show "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" as a child many years ago.