What do you think?
Rate this book
Growing Up Happy: Captain Kangaroo Tells Yesterday's Children How to Nurture Their Own
Known to millions as the beloved children's character, Captain Kangaroo, the author offers sound guidance for parents on raising well-adjusted children, advice covering such areas as discipline, sex-role conditioning, and stress
- GenresBiography
230 pages, Hardcover
First published August 22, 1989
8 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 19, 2015
At a used book sale I was attracted to the catchy title “Growing Up Happy”. The autobiography tells the life of Bob Keeshan an American iconic children’s television personality from the 1950’s and 1960’s known as Captain Kangaroo. His program was a part of my childhood and I wished to know more about the public figure, who kept a private life.
The setting begins on Manhattan’s west side with a love story between his father a working class Irish immigrant and his mother of Irish decent. Their third son Bob was born on June 27, 1927. At age 6 his family settled in Forest Hills a single-family home community near Manhattan, which in the mid-1930’s depression era, was rural with swamps. Keeshan speaks fondly of his childhood filled with exploring nature, adventures and games with neighborhood friends and fantasy dreams.
In high school Keeshan reflected upon his future. With a passion for radio and a bit of “luck” he was hired during his senior year as a page with internship at the famed NBC Radio City Studio 8H, home of the NBC Symphony a radio orchestra (future location of Saturday Night Live). He worked after school from 5PM to midnight and still found time for homework.
Once out of high school Keeshan would turn 18 years old in 1945 and with WWII in full mode he joined the Marine Corps four months after D-Day at Iwo Jima. His basic training at Parris Island enhanced his foundation. When the war ended he turned down an opportunity for Officer Candidate School and returned to NBC.
Television was in its infancy when Keeshan made his first appearance on January 3, 1948 wearing a business suit as an on stage hand for Bob Smith’s program “Puppet Playhouse”. Before long he became the original Clarabelle the Clown on the Buffalo Bob Smith show “Howdy Doody”. He dabbled with a couple of other shows but his real success came with his own creative show “Captain Kangaroo”, which debuted on CBS October 3, 1955. The one hour children’s program airing live at 8 AM EST would provide a 40 second break before airing live at 9:00 for the Midwest time zone. It provided healthy entertainment capturing children’s imagination for roughly 3 decades serving as a model for “Mister Rogers” and “Sesame Street”.
When it came to politics he did not divulge which party he leaned to but he believed in Patrick Henry’s quote: “Give me liberty or give me death”. Keeshan reflected by saying:“In very few places on earth can citizens agree to disagree. I am fiercely American, devoted to my country, but I know that many fellow Americans disagree with my position on some subjects. That does not make them less American than I.”
Keeshan had many talents including intuition and from his side studies could have become a lawyer or a career Marine Corps officer but he charted his own course and found fame. He faced hardships that are not mentioned in my review. Reflecting back he stated his success was not due to luck but rather: “Luck is properly named “opportunity.” I am convinced by my life experience that the difference between “lucky” people and “unlucky” people is the ability to recognize opportunity, to evaluate it and make timely and informed decisions.” He was very articulate and wrote a concise autobiography that I found quite interesting. The black & white photo of his own children along with those of Mister Green Jeans and the supporting “Roo” cast of Bunny Rabbit, Mr. Moose, Dancing Bear and others was priceless.
The setting begins on Manhattan’s west side with a love story between his father a working class Irish immigrant and his mother of Irish decent. Their third son Bob was born on June 27, 1927. At age 6 his family settled in Forest Hills a single-family home community near Manhattan, which in the mid-1930’s depression era, was rural with swamps. Keeshan speaks fondly of his childhood filled with exploring nature, adventures and games with neighborhood friends and fantasy dreams.
In high school Keeshan reflected upon his future. With a passion for radio and a bit of “luck” he was hired during his senior year as a page with internship at the famed NBC Radio City Studio 8H, home of the NBC Symphony a radio orchestra (future location of Saturday Night Live). He worked after school from 5PM to midnight and still found time for homework.
Once out of high school Keeshan would turn 18 years old in 1945 and with WWII in full mode he joined the Marine Corps four months after D-Day at Iwo Jima. His basic training at Parris Island enhanced his foundation. When the war ended he turned down an opportunity for Officer Candidate School and returned to NBC.
Television was in its infancy when Keeshan made his first appearance on January 3, 1948 wearing a business suit as an on stage hand for Bob Smith’s program “Puppet Playhouse”. Before long he became the original Clarabelle the Clown on the Buffalo Bob Smith show “Howdy Doody”. He dabbled with a couple of other shows but his real success came with his own creative show “Captain Kangaroo”, which debuted on CBS October 3, 1955. The one hour children’s program airing live at 8 AM EST would provide a 40 second break before airing live at 9:00 for the Midwest time zone. It provided healthy entertainment capturing children’s imagination for roughly 3 decades serving as a model for “Mister Rogers” and “Sesame Street”.
When it came to politics he did not divulge which party he leaned to but he believed in Patrick Henry’s quote: “Give me liberty or give me death”. Keeshan reflected by saying:“In very few places on earth can citizens agree to disagree. I am fiercely American, devoted to my country, but I know that many fellow Americans disagree with my position on some subjects. That does not make them less American than I.”
Keeshan had many talents including intuition and from his side studies could have become a lawyer or a career Marine Corps officer but he charted his own course and found fame. He faced hardships that are not mentioned in my review. Reflecting back he stated his success was not due to luck but rather: “Luck is properly named “opportunity.” I am convinced by my life experience that the difference between “lucky” people and “unlucky” people is the ability to recognize opportunity, to evaluate it and make timely and informed decisions.” He was very articulate and wrote a concise autobiography that I found quite interesting. The black & white photo of his own children along with those of Mister Green Jeans and the supporting “Roo” cast of Bunny Rabbit, Mr. Moose, Dancing Bear and others was priceless.
September 14, 2011
I was fortunate enough to meet Mr Keeshan at an event I was hosting. And I heard him speak for about an hour and a half about the topic of the book and how children are being raised now. Very interesting. Best part of all was getting a hug from Captain Kangaroo!
Read
September 7, 2010Fantastic look at the earliest days of children's television from one of the kindest people to ever appear on a tv set. Wonderful encouragement for any parents who struggle with the day to day of raising a kid. The Captain has so many positive things to say about the intelligence of kids and what they are capable of. Truly a great man.
I grew up with the Captain in my living room, along with Mr. Rogers and all of the friends they each had on their shows. This is a great look at why those shows were so successful. Would love to be able to find some Captain shows on DVD for my little girl to watch.
I grew up with the Captain in my living room, along with Mr. Rogers and all of the friends they each had on their shows. This is a great look at why those shows were so successful. Would love to be able to find some Captain shows on DVD for my little girl to watch.
October 1, 2011
I recommend this to anyone who either has a child or ever was one. Keeshan's reminiscences of his days as "The Captain" are fascinating, and as he recounted them, i was brought back to my days of sitting in front of the small screen of the family TV, riveted by the black and white images on the screen. The one missing piece of information -- what was he Captain of?
His ideas on raising kids are sane and humane.
His ideas on raising kids are sane and humane.
August 3, 2019
This is about Captain Kangaroo with bits and pieces of parenting advice.
October 2, 2023
Was 2/3 parenting advice. I was hoping for more detail about the show.
November 20, 2023
A positive affirming book about the wonders of children. As seen through the life journey of Bob Keeshan. Great for all adults to reflect in valuing all of humanity
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews