Mister Rogers' Neighborhood: A Visual History

by Fred Rogers Productions, Tim Lybarger, Jenna McGuiggan

A visual celebration of  Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood , America’s most beloved children’s television show, including a foreword by Tom Hanks and a peek at the making of the feature film  A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood , in theaters Thanksgiving weekend.
 
Go behind the scenes of  Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood  with this unprecedented dive into its storied history. More than fifty years ago, Fred Rogers, a modest television host, revolutionized children’s entertainment with a simple set design, quiet dialogue, and a few hand puppets playing out everyday situations. The effect was  Mister Rogers created a relationship with millions of young viewers, each of whom felt as if they were visiting with a trusted friend. His radical kindness, acceptance, and empathy created a sacred place where everyone felt safe and valued. 

Featuring exclusive photographs; a guide to the characters, puppets, and episodes; original interviews; and rare ephemera,  Mister Rogers’ A Visual History  reveals how the show came together to have a deep impact on American culture. Discover wonderful anecdotes from Yo-Yo Ma and Wynton Marsalis as well as the actors, directors, art designers, producers, studio musicians, and more who devoted their careers to working with Fred. Chronicling the show's complete timeline—from its humble beginnings on WQED in Pittsburgh to its commemoration on the big screen in the feature film  A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood , starring Tom Hanks, based on a screenplay written by Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster and directed by Marielle Heller—this incredibly comprehensive book celebrates both Fred Rogers and the wonderful legacy of  Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood .

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Biography, Art, Adult, Tv, Coffee Table Books

336 pages, Hardcover

First published September 17, 2019

Reviews

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 5 out of 5]

A glorious read, chock full of pictures and facts and "neighborly chats" with those affiliated with the show. Would you like to know what Fred Rogers would think of Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood? (He thought animation would be a great medium for his work, but nothing got off the ground during his lifetime.) Did you ever wonder where his cardigans came from? (His mother knit the first ones, and later ones were garments produced for the Canadian postal service and dyed to match the originals.) What did Pittsburgh think of their great star? (They love him, of course.)

Like so many other American children, I grew up watching Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. My mother is a kindergarten teacher, and I can see now why she loved the show as much as we did--Rogers operated on theories of child development and focused on character formation and children's interior lives rather than simple entertainment. If you want more information than the documentary Won't You Be My Neighbor? gave, and more stories about Fred Rogers as a person than the one depicted in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood is here to delight you. The production quality is splendid--the whole book is intentionally designed with familiar colors and a scrapbook feel. The physical copy is actually sewn together rather than glued, a rarity in book production these days, which adds that touch of special care that fits the ethos of Mister Rogers.

Everything I've learned about Fred Rogers exudes wholesomeness, kindness, and compassion, and this book contains even more evidence to back up that impression. Highly recommended for all fans of the show!

[Diz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I watched quite a lot of Mister Rogers when I was a kid, so it was nostalgic to read this. I was surprised to see how much I had forgotten about the series. The highlight of this book are the numerous interviews with the cast and production staff, which gives readers a sense of who Mister Rogers was when the camera wasn't rolling.

One thing to note is that this is more of a tribute book than a behind-the-scenes book. So, there is a lot more praise for Fred Rogers than information about the production of the show. Because of that, it feels that the content is a bit light.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative look at everything Mr. Rogers. Lots of photos, and interesting information on his life and production of his tv show. I highly recommend this quality book to all.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let it be known right off that I absolutely love the show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, so I am sure that plays a large role in my love and appreciation of this book. I certainly expected to enjoy it for this very reason, but I was a little surprised with the fact that I ended up loving this visual history because I am more of a fiction person and have never rated something nonfiction with 5 stars.

This book has so much! Tons of great, clear and vibrant photos; quite a few snappy facts that catch your attention; interviews with those who worked on the show (or were guests); information about just about every aspect of the show (the music, the sets, the neighborhood visits and guests, the characters, the operas, and of course, the Neighborhood of Make-Believe); the list goes on. I especially appreciated the format and organization that was used in this book. The sections were so well planned, but my favorite part was the way the “neighborly chats” were sprinkled throughout based upon where the interviewee belonged or fit into the flow.

These chats with those people who worked with Fred Rogers and knew both him and the show well can only be compared to the variety and depth that each Christian’s testimony has when shared with others. That is to say, neighborly chats : Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood :: testimonies : Christianity. I find this to be especially fitting because Fred Rogers’ compassion and goal of cherishing each person and making them feel special completely aligns with Christ’s teachings. Mister Rogers was able to live out his faith by loving others deeply in front of many watching eyes. What a testimony.

—

Director Paul Lally recalls:

“Hold still, Daniel,” I said.
The little tiger froze and asked, “Is something wrong?”
“Not at all. Just a little repair work.”
He reared back. “On what?”
“Your nose. Some whiskers fell out and I have to stick them back on with the glue gun. Only take a second.”
“A second’s a very long time when you’re using hot glue.”
“Good point - but it won’t hurt a bit.”
“Why not?”
I rubbed the little tiger’s furry head. “Because you’re a puppet, Daniel, remember?”
A long pause. He rubbed his cheek with his paw, contemplating my comment. “You’re right. I forgot.”
“Me, too,” I said.

🥹❤️ Me too!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous book - I had a hard time putting this down, even on Thanksgiving!

When they say, 'You can't go home again', that's not necessarily true. I relived a lot while reading this book - a little bit about Fred Rogers' early life (including a handwritten letter from his father), information on the actors and musicians who performed on the show, information about Special Guests, interviews with what I called special people, but the authors called most appropriately, "A Neighborly Chat,", information on the puppets, information about the set and photographs - lots and lots of photos! There is a Forward by Tom Hanks and a sneak peak on the new film that is just out!

At the end of the book are Resources - Theme Week Topics (1979-2001), a list of Classic Episodes, and Selected Titles. On the following pages are Works Consulted - Books, Articles, Websites, Video & Film, and Interviews. At the very end are Acknowledgements, Photo Credits, and an Index.

This would make a wonderful Christmas present for the "child" in your life who grew up watching this educational show, where the "star" genuinely cared about the audience he was addressing, each and every day.

It was a beautiful day(s) revisiting the Neighborhood.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I read a new book or article or watch a documentary about Mr. Rogers I think I won’t learn anything new and that I definitely, DEFINITELY won’t be reduced to tears this time.

And every time I’m wrong.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: No matter where you go, it’s easy to meet someone who has a personal story about Mister Rogers.

Premise/plot: Love the show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood? Have I got a book for you! First a clarification, this is not a biography of Fred Rogers. This is very much a book about the making of a television show. It is a visual history, a behind the scenes glimpse at the iconic show. It does have some narrative. Definitely has text, but the strength is more in the interviews it shares, the sidebars, lists, and, of course, the photographs.

My thoughts: I had two favorite chapters. I loved chapters two and three. Chapter two focuses on Mr. Rogers’ house, neighborhood, and neighbors. There is a long section called meet the neighbors. Each neighbor gets his or her own page. Chapter three focuses on the neighborhood of Make Believe. It highlights the characters or residents of Make Believe and its surrounding communities. Again each character gets his or her own page.

The book does not include an episode guide. There aren’t episode descriptions. Nor are there quotes from episodes. If you’re going to be thorough and be the book every obsessive fan needs to own, go all out and commit. It would have been awesome to include a full list of songs and the songs included in each episode. Wouldn’t it be great to know how often the song It’s You I Like was sung?! Speaking of songs there is no mention of the iconic song Many Ways to Say I Love You.

I did enjoy and appreciate the interviews spread throughout the book. These are with notable people who worked on screen and off screen with Fred Rogers to make the show happen. It definitely makes for a better more authentic feeling book.

I liked this one. I definitely did. I enjoyed browsing through the book. If you enjoy visual history books, then this is worth your time. I am less into visual and more into stories and text. But I am glad I read it.

[EuroHackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful visual history of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood - the show, the people, the puppets, the guests. It makes me feel nostalgic and happy and a little bit sad at the same time, that this show faded into history prior to the 2018 release of the documentary Won't You Be My Neighbor? Even though the show is 50 years old, I think even today's children could glean something useful for it - and its a wonderful anxiety soother for me as an adult. I cherish the documentary and the (thus far) 3 collections of shows that have been released. This book also pointed me in the direction of a seemingly vast fansite, Neighborhood Archive, that has - among other things - a podcast series.

A must for all fans and collectors of the show.

[Heather McC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intended as a companion piece to the upcoming Fred Rogers biopic, Wagner recounts the history and work of Fred Rogers through original photographs, interviews, anecdotes, and highlights of his decades long ministry in assisting learners (both young and old).

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you grew up watching Mr. Rogers (and who didn't?), this coffee table book will give you All. The. Feels.

[Wes Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great history, with stellar pictures, of a wonderful show and a fascinating man. I love this book.

[Kev Willoughby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was delightful! A very intimate opportunity to walk around behind the scenes at Mister Rogers' neighborhood and visit with all of the people that made it such a special place through the years. A true anthology from cover to cover, and the countless pictures made me feel like I was there in Pittsburgh watching television history unfold through the decades.

I enjoyed the first-person accounts from so many that worked directly with Fred Rogers, beginning with his college years and continuing through the last episode of the show. I loved each person's account of how they met Mister Rogers, what their initial impressions were, what they thought about his puppets, and how personable they found him to be throughout the tenure of each of their relationships with him.

I also feel as though the presentation of these accounts gives the reader an opportunity to meet Mister Rogers all over again but in a different way than someone might have experienced him as a viewer. Here, the reader gets to see behind the curtain and discover how purposeful Mister Rogers was in putting together each episode of the show so that children could have a friend and an advocate. His message of acceptance was simple, but his methods were comprehensive and intentional. He taught children how to play, how to use their imagination, and how to express their feelings in healthy ways.

I liked one account from the teaching of Mister Rogers that described play for children as the only thing that children get to be in control of, which was why it was so important that they have opportunities to develop in this method. The author said, "Children are not in charge of much in their lives. The grown-ups are. Play gives children a sense of having some power because they are in control when they play. That helps them let the adults be in charge at other times. When they play and pretend, they are also more open to taking in information for learning."

This book is complete. It has summaries of every opera ever performed within the show; profiles of each puppet (even the obscure ones who didn't appear often); a listing and description of every guest and celebrity to ever appear on the show; as well as off-the-screen events in the life of Fred Rogers that shaped who he was, the legacy he left behind, and the impact he had on television and generations of viewers that continue to this day.

[Cheryl Gatling]

As I am a fan of Fred Rogers, I have read several books about him, and already know something about his story. What makes this book special is that it is not just a biography of Fred Rogers, but a biography of his show. Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was indeed the brainchild of Fred Rogers, and he exercised control over every detail of script and set, but it took a village, or a neighborhood of people, to pull it off. And they are all here: the writers, producers, musicians, art people, consultants, and business people.

There are interviews with most of these people, describing how they got involved with Mister Rogers, and what it was like on the set. And there are lots of photographs. I was a regular watcher of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood as a child, and I was surprised how much I had forgotten. It was a delight to have it come back to me. Joe Negri’s music shop, Betty Aberlin’s theater, Chef Brockett’s bakery, Neighbor Aber. In the Neighborhood of Make Believe I remembered Daniel Striped Tiger, and King Friday XIII, Lady Elaine and X the Owl, but I had forgotten Cornflake S Pecially and his factory. I had forgotten the Platypus family, and Harriet Elizabeth Cow, who ran the school. I forgot that the neighborhood got together to put on a series of operas: full of silliness, but, as always, teaching kids how to deal with their feelings.

Here are reminiscences about some of the places Mister Rogers went out to visit (the crayon factory, the doctor’s office, the zoo, Russia), and some of the many visitors who came to see him (Julia Child, Margaret Hamilton, who showed children that the Wicked Witch was only makeup, Yo-Yo Ma, and Jeff Erlanger, the boy in a wheelchair who, unscripted, and unprompted, sang with Mister Rogers). Here are some of the topics Mister Rogers discussed. Here are the lyrics to some of the songs, all of which he wrote himself. And here is a discussion of Mister Rogers’ legacy, how he is remembered so warmly by generations of children who are now grown, and how his work lives on.

[Meltha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is exhaustive. Just about every person left alive who was part of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood was interviewed in this, and those who have died were profiled as well. Every single opera's plot is given. A list of consulted sources goes for pages. The photography is sometimes formal, other times literal snapshots taken by people involved. The followup letter from Senator Pastore after Fred's appeal for PBS is given, something I've seen nowhere else. Tom Hanks writes the introduction. If you are doing any research on Rogers, his work, or children's television, I would consider this a crucial work to read. Also, I found it moving that the book ends by looking at the effects Fred still has through his work and how he remains relevant.

[Antho2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It featured a lot of personal interviews with folks that had worked with Fred Rogers. It's neat to read them and realize how consistent he was over four or five decades of television work. I did not realize he had made so much of the set and puppets, etc himself. I enjoyed seeing the evolution of the set as well. It was a fun trip down memory lane.

[Dominique King · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw the Mister Rogers show a few times when it was newer, but I was really a little too old to have enjoyed it as a young child.
That being said, I anxiously looked forward to seeing the new movie with Tom Hanks playing Fred Rogers to see why the show was so beloved by children, parents and others.
I was not disappointed...with either this book or with the movie (or the earlier documentary film, "Won't You Be My Neighbor?", which I also saw when it first came out last year).
The story was not unfamiliar with me when I first started with those films, or this book, but the story, like Mr. Rogers himself, was deceptively simple, yet complex and deep for those taking a second look at it these days.
I'd just watched the "It's A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" with Hanks this past week as it opened at our usual theater here...and I'd spotted this book on the New Books shelves at the library during my most recent visit there.
If readers are expecting a schmaltzy festival of scholock, they may be diasspointed :lol:
The book is right up to date as it features a forward by Hanks, and an interview with Tom Junod (the writer who did the original article for Esquire that forms the basis of the most recent film).
It was fun for me to follow along through the years on the pages...and to see a lot of the great images taken of Rogers and his crew as they created a nurturing and safe environment for children during their earliest and most formative years.
A great look at Mr. Rogers, his work, his motivations and why they still endure today.
Definitely a "feel good" read. and a nice way to spend a quiet Thanksgiving weekend!

[Christina Getrost · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was such a pleasure to lose myself for hours in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe again, courtesy of this lovely nonfiction book that gives a very detailed history of the television show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. I loved all the behind-the-scenes details, including the entries on every puppet and human character who visited the show, many of the celebrity guests, lots of "Snappy Facts" (like the fact that Fred Rogers was colorblind, so they had Polaroid photos taken of all of his sweaters and ties with written descriptions, so that he could color-coordinate his outfifts!), and lovely interviews with cast and crew members and frequent guests (and friends of Rogers in real life, like Yo-Yo Ma), about what it was like working with Fred and what he and the show meant to them. It includes some information about both the documentary and the Tom Hanks movie that came out in 2019. What a lovely tribute. I did catch two production errors: photos of King Friday the Thirteenth's castle that were clearly backwards! (The XIII was shown as IIIX) But I'm not sure if they were made by the book editors or if the original source photos they had were printed backwards, and they decided to keep them that way. I just thought it was funny, actually, and maybe makes for a fun "I Spy" with kids when reading the book. I just loved this book, it's very nicely put together, clearly made with love for Fred and his show. I liked that it has lots of photos from the set, and even lists all of the "operas" performed in Make Believe over the course of 30 years! Now I want to hunt down some episodes to watch...

[Beth Peninger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried while reading this book. Fred Rogers was a national treasure. Actually, he still is a national treasure as his legacy lives on through various mediums and people.

The authors and compilers of this visual history take the reader all the way through Fred Rogers days as a young person, his education, and what led him to become the Mister Rogers we know and adore. Guys, if you didn't already know it let me let you in on something about Fred Rogers...he was a genius. For real. This man had musical talent like nobody's business and he had intelligence when it came to people of all ages. He knew that if he could get the young people to hear then the older people would as well. Genius. All the things said about him are true. Genuine, thoughtful, intentional, brilliant, down-to-earth, hard worker, dedicated, lifelong learner, etc etc.

This history was a delight and it was really informative. Last year (2021) my youngest niece got into Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood and therefore so did I. We have watched A LOT of Daniel Tiger together. Reading this visual history made me realize how the Fred Rogers Foundation has intentionally created Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood from Fred Rogers and his neighborhood. That seems like an obvious observation but I didn't realize the depth of it until reading this history. For example, why Daniel Tiger? He was the very first puppet Rogers ever used in any TV production he did and he kept him throughout his tenure. Daniel was the original neighbor in the neighborhood. The intention with which Rogers ideas and legacy is carried on into the present is really fascinating.

A beautiful history presented in a really beautiful book. Now please excuse me while I go binge-watch Mister Rogers Neighborhood. And no, I'm not joking.

[Lisa Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thorough and beautifully presented history of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood — surely one of the most impactful American television shows ever produced. This is a wonderful collection of photos, artifacts, production notes, interviews, and anecdotes detailing the thought and work that went into the show. The many people involved in its production are honoured while it is always clear that Fred Rogers was steering the ship or, more aptly, driving the trolley. If you’ve seen either or both the documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbour and the narrative feature A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, you won’t be bored by this book. There is a tonne of additional information here, making this a complementary piece alongside the two films.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

After seeing the documentary about Mister Rogers and seeing the wonderful movie, "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood," I thought I knew enough about Mister Rogers. However, this beautifully illustrated book proved me wrong. There is so much to learn about Mister Rogers' philosophy, planning, dedication and attention to every detail. The cast was extremely talented and dedicated as well. Every page provided a new tidbit that made him appreciate him more. My only regret was that I was already in college when the show started so I did not have the advantage of his wisdom during my childhood years.

[Gerald Matzke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a truly enjoyable book about Fred Rogers and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. The writers explore every aspect of the iconic children’s program including the backgrounds of the various cast members and even back-stories on the puppets in the Land of Make Believe. Interspersed are interviews with many of the cast and crew where they discuss how they got involved with the show and their reflections of their relationship with Fred Rogers. The last chapter discusses the 2018 documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” and the 2019 film “A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood”. Anyone who watched Mr. Rogers as a child or as a parent or teacher will enjoy this book.

[Ashley Lambert-Maberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely reminder of the show, with oodles of behind-the-scenes information one would otherwise never know about. The focus was very much on the show, it's not a biography of Fred Rogers by any means. I never knew about the operas, somehow my prime viewing period was in between those, so I'm rewatching on Amazon Prime, though sadly they begin the week after the Campfire opera.

Recommended for anyone interested in the show.

(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. My review probably average 4 since I don't select books randomly!)

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a young child in Pittsburgh, I watched the great Fred Rogers on his first TV program on our Public TV station in the nation (WQED). It was called "The Children's Corner," and many of the histories of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood omit this very important point, as this is how Fred Rogers began his television ministry. Any fan of Fred Rogers will love this books it details his vision for children's television, and how he stayed tru to it over its many successful years.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful history with interviews as well as visuals. I loved seeing Fred's handwritten songs, notes, and scripts. Potential themes: pretend and real, big and little, alone and together, hate the same people you love, (afraid of same people who are comforting), what's inside, you don't learn by magic. Big stuff!!

I love that the music was live and improvisational. I love that Fred wanted to show all the different ways people could be who they are and express who they are. A very fun read.

[christine shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The text and illustrations are a terrific walk down memory lane. My three sons grew up with Mr. Rogers and now our grandchildren love Daniel tiger. The timeless message of love and acceptance, kindness, and courtesy to all ring true. You will love this beautiful edition and learn so much about Fred Rogers and his family.

[Jennifer Pusey · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 big nostalgia stars from me. I loved Mr. Rogers when I was growing up (I called him Neighbor Rogers) and I still love him. I also was interested by all the behind the scenes photos and stories and found myself tearing up several times. What an amazing man and a remarkable show. Fred Rogers truly had integrity and treated others with such sincere love. He is one of my heroes.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book that compiles a visual history of the television program Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. This brings back a lot of memories for someone that grew up watching the show.
Highly recommended.

[Thomas Cavanagh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great collection of interviews with people who worked on the show or were close to Fred Rogers. Excellent pictures of the sets and fantastic nostalgia. Some really great facts I never knew and some wonderful anecdotes and memories from the cast and crew!

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like most kids, I grew up with Mister Rogers. I used to love watching it after school every day. This book is beautifully put together and a great account of the show, and the man, that had such an impact on so many kids, myself included.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank-you Mr. Rogers for giving me a small slice of simplicity in my childhood. Reading this, I realized that a lot of detail and study went into every line, set prop, and character. It reaffirmed for me that I can teach big ideas in my classroom in simple ways through art, music, and experiences.