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Kindness and Wonder: Why Mister Rogers Matters Now More Than Ever
A pop culture celebration of Fred Rogers and the enduring legacy of his beloved, award-winning PBS show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood that offers essential wisdom to help us in our troubled times.
Won’t you be my neighbor?
For more than thirty years, Fred Rogers was a beloved fixture in American homes. Warm and welcoming, he spoke directly to children—and their parents—about the marvels of the world, the things that worried them, and above all, the importance of being themselves. Dressed in his cardigan and sneakers, Fred Rogers offered a wholesome message of generosity and love that changed the landscape of television and shaped a generation of children. Kindness and Wonder pays tribute to this cultural icon: the unique, gentle man who embodied the best of what we could be. Today’s audiences will be reminded of Mr. Rogers’s uplifting persona in the upcoming TriStar Pictures film A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (November 2019), where Tom Hanks stars as the real-life Fred Rogers.
Looking back at the history of the show and the creative visionary behind it, pop culture aficionado Gavin Edwards reminds us of the indelible lessons and insights that Mister Rogers conveyed—what it means to be a good person, to be open-hearted, to be thoughtful, to be curious, to be compassionate—and why they matter. Beautifully crafted, infused with Mister Rogers’ gentle spirit, and featuring dozens of interviews with people whose lives were touched by Fred Rogers—ranging from Rita Moreno to NFL Hall of Famer Lynn Swann—Kindness and Wonder is a love letter to this unforgettable cultural hero and role model, and the beautiful neighborhood he created.
Won’t you be my neighbor?
For more than thirty years, Fred Rogers was a beloved fixture in American homes. Warm and welcoming, he spoke directly to children—and their parents—about the marvels of the world, the things that worried them, and above all, the importance of being themselves. Dressed in his cardigan and sneakers, Fred Rogers offered a wholesome message of generosity and love that changed the landscape of television and shaped a generation of children. Kindness and Wonder pays tribute to this cultural icon: the unique, gentle man who embodied the best of what we could be. Today’s audiences will be reminded of Mr. Rogers’s uplifting persona in the upcoming TriStar Pictures film A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (November 2019), where Tom Hanks stars as the real-life Fred Rogers.
Looking back at the history of the show and the creative visionary behind it, pop culture aficionado Gavin Edwards reminds us of the indelible lessons and insights that Mister Rogers conveyed—what it means to be a good person, to be open-hearted, to be thoughtful, to be curious, to be compassionate—and why they matter. Beautifully crafted, infused with Mister Rogers’ gentle spirit, and featuring dozens of interviews with people whose lives were touched by Fred Rogers—ranging from Rita Moreno to NFL Hall of Famer Lynn Swann—Kindness and Wonder is a love letter to this unforgettable cultural hero and role model, and the beautiful neighborhood he created.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published October 29, 2019
348 people are currently reading
7355 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 472 reviews
March 8, 2021
This is a non-fiction book. I listen to the audiobook of this book, and I really enjoy this book. I remember watching and enjoying Mr. Roger on TV. The book was really good. I normally do not read non-fiction, but I had to read this book. (*)
April 21, 2020
RATING: 4.5 STARS
2019; Dey Street Books/Harper Collins
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
― Fred Rogers
I listened to Kindness and Wonder at work, as the news and warnings of Covid-19 were ramping up. A day before places were going through closure, yet I was still expected to take transit and come into work - in a college. As disappointing and heartbreaking stories of people being selfish and hoarding, I was definitely becoming disheartened. Mister Rogers has always been in my life. I probably love cardigans and switching into indoor and outdoor shoes/sweater because of him, lol. As jaded, sarcastic and dark I can be, there is something in me that always has hope and faith that things will get better, and somethings are better. I don't know if that is just me, or something I may have picked up. I can close my eyes and still remember particular episodes, characters, guest stars, words he said and how I felt watching this show.
"I hope that you'll remember/ Even when you're feeling blue/ That it's you I like/ It's you yourself/ It's you, it's you I like."
― Fred Rogers
As an only child with a lot going on, and not always feeling noticed or feeling like I was not lovable these words were uplifting to me. Mister Rogers never lies, and is always there when he says he will be. I don't know much about Fred Rogers, other than the movie with Tom Hanks, and a recent documentary. This book gives a brief biography on Fred's family, childhood and how he became Mister Rogers. It has definitely made me interested in reading a more detailed biography. The second part of this book is the lessons Mister Rogers teaches coming to life. How others have been effected by him, and how much love and lessons he has given to us all.
"It's our insides that make us who we are, that allow us to dream and wonder and feel for others. That's what's essential. That's what will always make the biggest difference in our world."
― Fred Rogers
So as I started to lose a bit of faith in mankind, listening to Gavin Edwards remind me about Mister Roger's kindness and how he accepted all of us as we were, I thought, "I need to be a helper in the world". Fred Rogers is not here to remind us of the lessons he taught us so it's up to us to make the difference in the world being who we are and helpers in the world. I highly recommend this one as you are quarantine yourself at home. Don't forget physical isolation does not mean you need to emotionally isolate. Messaging a friend "hey, how are you doing?" is kindness for yourself and others.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
2019; Dey Street Books/Harper Collins
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
― Fred Rogers
I listened to Kindness and Wonder at work, as the news and warnings of Covid-19 were ramping up. A day before places were going through closure, yet I was still expected to take transit and come into work - in a college. As disappointing and heartbreaking stories of people being selfish and hoarding, I was definitely becoming disheartened. Mister Rogers has always been in my life. I probably love cardigans and switching into indoor and outdoor shoes/sweater because of him, lol. As jaded, sarcastic and dark I can be, there is something in me that always has hope and faith that things will get better, and somethings are better. I don't know if that is just me, or something I may have picked up. I can close my eyes and still remember particular episodes, characters, guest stars, words he said and how I felt watching this show.
"I hope that you'll remember/ Even when you're feeling blue/ That it's you I like/ It's you yourself/ It's you, it's you I like."
― Fred Rogers
As an only child with a lot going on, and not always feeling noticed or feeling like I was not lovable these words were uplifting to me. Mister Rogers never lies, and is always there when he says he will be. I don't know much about Fred Rogers, other than the movie with Tom Hanks, and a recent documentary. This book gives a brief biography on Fred's family, childhood and how he became Mister Rogers. It has definitely made me interested in reading a more detailed biography. The second part of this book is the lessons Mister Rogers teaches coming to life. How others have been effected by him, and how much love and lessons he has given to us all.
"It's our insides that make us who we are, that allow us to dream and wonder and feel for others. That's what's essential. That's what will always make the biggest difference in our world."
― Fred Rogers
So as I started to lose a bit of faith in mankind, listening to Gavin Edwards remind me about Mister Roger's kindness and how he accepted all of us as we were, I thought, "I need to be a helper in the world". Fred Rogers is not here to remind us of the lessons he taught us so it's up to us to make the difference in the world being who we are and helpers in the world. I highly recommend this one as you are quarantine yourself at home. Don't forget physical isolation does not mean you need to emotionally isolate. Messaging a friend "hey, how are you doing?" is kindness for yourself and others.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
July 28, 2019
The author divides this book into two parts: the first is a biography of Fred Rogers, and the second is ways we can all emulate Mr. Rogers. He has a chapter on two other famous men from Pittsburgh: Andy Warhol and George Romero. Who knew that George Romero, famed director of the cult classic Night of the Living Dead, had made films for Picture Picture? I thought, however, that including Warhol seemed like pointless padding. Thoughtful prose and interesting anecdotes combine to make this a worthwhile read anyone who enjoyed Mr. Rogers' message, or sees value in what he taught.
August 16, 2021
This was good. I enjoyed the stories of how Mr. Rogers interacted with his fans and kept thinking of selfless he was. I can’t name a celebrity today who would do what he did for his fans. It’s incredible. Overall I’ll probably forget a lot of what was in here, but I enjoyed listening to this on audio as a quick book.
*Huge thanks to the publisher for a free copy of this book to read and review!
*Huge thanks to the publisher for a free copy of this book to read and review!
November 8, 2019
I’ve been a big fan of Mr. Rogers since my kids were little and watched him on television. On a personal note, Tim, my youngest, enjoyed Incredible Hulk on television. But when Dr. Banner changed into the hulk, he ran to his bedroom until Hulk was human again. All this changed when Mr. Rogers interviewed Lou Ferrigno, who played the angry Green Giant, as he was putting on his make-up. From that point on Tim had no problems.
I’d read a previous biography about him, had also seen a documentary about him on PBS and went to the movie for another documentary. I know Tom Hanks is part of another movie that isn’t out yet. But it was fun to discover other facts about him. It further emphasized what an amazing man he was.
While he was in college, he “worked on an opera, called ‘Josephine the Short-Neck Giraffe’, about an ungulate who yearns to have a longer neck. It was written in French, combining his two academic interests: Fred majored in musical composition and minored in French, graduating magna cum laude in 1951.” He then goes on to study to be a minister. A few months b/4 he recvd his diploma, he discovers television, and he is appalled at the children’s programming.
He gets a menial job @ NBC. At one point he becomes a floor manager, & gets to know Gabby Hayes. For those youngsters who don’t know Gabby Hayes, he was a sidekick in a lot of westerns for John Wayne & Roy Rogers. But there was a Gabby Hayes TV show where he would introduce an old Western movie. “Fred was fascinated by how soon as the show ended, Hayes would change out of his cowboy duds and into street clothes—or on the many nights he had opera tickets, into a tuxedo. Fred noted ‘often you don’t know the depths of someone you see only on television’”
Betty Aberlin mentions the Neighborhood crew: “we were very devoted, because we realized we were not in anything we could quit, somehow. We had stumbled into somebody’s mission for children. If you’re the color yellow in Van Gogh’s paintings, you can’t quit.”
“[Mr. Rogers] will never again have the impact on the world (especially the USA) that he did circa 1974. But ‘nostalgia’ is just another way to spell ‘cultural legacy’. At the moment you are reading this book, Mr. Rogers has enough purchase on your heart to change the society that you live in.”
I’d read a previous biography about him, had also seen a documentary about him on PBS and went to the movie for another documentary. I know Tom Hanks is part of another movie that isn’t out yet. But it was fun to discover other facts about him. It further emphasized what an amazing man he was.
While he was in college, he “worked on an opera, called ‘Josephine the Short-Neck Giraffe’, about an ungulate who yearns to have a longer neck. It was written in French, combining his two academic interests: Fred majored in musical composition and minored in French, graduating magna cum laude in 1951.” He then goes on to study to be a minister. A few months b/4 he recvd his diploma, he discovers television, and he is appalled at the children’s programming.
He gets a menial job @ NBC. At one point he becomes a floor manager, & gets to know Gabby Hayes. For those youngsters who don’t know Gabby Hayes, he was a sidekick in a lot of westerns for John Wayne & Roy Rogers. But there was a Gabby Hayes TV show where he would introduce an old Western movie. “Fred was fascinated by how soon as the show ended, Hayes would change out of his cowboy duds and into street clothes—or on the many nights he had opera tickets, into a tuxedo. Fred noted ‘often you don’t know the depths of someone you see only on television’”
Betty Aberlin mentions the Neighborhood crew: “we were very devoted, because we realized we were not in anything we could quit, somehow. We had stumbled into somebody’s mission for children. If you’re the color yellow in Van Gogh’s paintings, you can’t quit.”
“[Mr. Rogers] will never again have the impact on the world (especially the USA) that he did circa 1974. But ‘nostalgia’ is just another way to spell ‘cultural legacy’. At the moment you are reading this book, Mr. Rogers has enough purchase on your heart to change the society that you live in.”
July 21, 2025
Mister Rogers was a remarkable man. One might say kind of wonderful. While reading this biography, I could not help being impressed with Rogers’ dedication and gentleness of spirit. Much of his story is inspiring.
Although Fred Rogers’ parents were wealthy and loving, they were overprotective, and he grew up fearful and lonely. His childhood experience gave him a deep and abiding concern for the well-being of children, and this became the sole focus of his career.
Edwards dispells a number of myths about his subject—he was never a Navy Seal, or an assassin, or a pervert. He was faithful to his wife, raised two sons, went to seminary, woke up early to pray every day, went to church every Sunday, and lived out his Christian faith in a manner that was striking to those who met and knew him.
The first two thirds of the book provides his biography with the remainder expounding on “Ten Ways to Live More Like Mister Rogers Right Now”:
-Be deep and simple.
-Be kind to strangers.
-Make a joyful noise.
-Tell the truth.
-Connect with other people every way you can.
-Love your neighbors.
-Find the light in the darkness.
-Always see the very best in other people.
-Accept the changing seasons.
-Share what you've learned. (All your life.)
Two quotes that Rogers appreciated:
“What is essential is invisible to the eyes.“
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
“If you want to see yourself clearly don’t look in muddy water”
Oh, and btw, it’s not “It’s a wonderful day in the neighborhood.” It’s actually “It’s a wonderful day in this neighborhood.”
Although Fred Rogers’ parents were wealthy and loving, they were overprotective, and he grew up fearful and lonely. His childhood experience gave him a deep and abiding concern for the well-being of children, and this became the sole focus of his career.
Edwards dispells a number of myths about his subject—he was never a Navy Seal, or an assassin, or a pervert. He was faithful to his wife, raised two sons, went to seminary, woke up early to pray every day, went to church every Sunday, and lived out his Christian faith in a manner that was striking to those who met and knew him.
LeVar Burton, who hosted Reading Rainbow for twenty-three years, beginning in 1983, first met Fred Rogers at a PBS cocktail party in Crystal City, Virginia. "I didn't grow up watching Fred, but I was certainly familiar with him, and I was intensely interested in meeting the real man," Burton said. "Which is to say, I wanted to know what he was like when he wasn't on camera, because I was certain that was an act. And it soon dawned on me: that was his authentic self. He was that genuine, he was that compassionate, he was that present." Burton had studied for the Catholic priesthood as a young man; Rogers became not only his colleague, but his friend and mentor.
"I think the most important and impactful advice I ever got from Fred was the notion that it was okay to use TV as a medium of message and ministry," Burton remembered. "There was no conflict in using a very secular medium for a holy purpose."
The first two thirds of the book provides his biography with the remainder expounding on “Ten Ways to Live More Like Mister Rogers Right Now”:
-Be deep and simple.
-Be kind to strangers.
-Make a joyful noise.
-Tell the truth.
-Connect with other people every way you can.
-Love your neighbors.
-Find the light in the darkness.
-Always see the very best in other people.
-Accept the changing seasons.
-Share what you've learned. (All your life.)
Two quotes that Rogers appreciated:
“What is essential is invisible to the eyes.“
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
“If you want to see yourself clearly don’t look in muddy water”
Oh, and btw, it’s not “It’s a wonderful day in the neighborhood.” It’s actually “It’s a wonderful day in this neighborhood.”
January 27, 2020
If you grew up in any time from the 60’s through the 2000’s there is a very good chance that you are familiar with Fred Rogers from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. The Neighborhood was a slow-moving island of wonderfully warm and life-affirming television in a sea of noise and chaos outside, hosted by a man with a unique charm and ability to bring calmness to every moment.
His gentle manner, his complete honesty and sincerity and desire to help children have made him a beloved figure that touched the lives of millions of people. Almost 20 years after his death, his reach has extended to many of the adults who now have children and grandchildren of their own.
Kindness and Wonder is an attempt to explain the man whom many hold in such high regard. It is an easy book, only 236 pages, divided into 2 sections. The first is about Mister Rogers’ life and career. The second is a 10-step chapter by chapter run through of the ways that a person can take the lessons from Mister Rogers’ amazing life and apply them to their own. There are stories, there are lessons, and for fans of the man that many of us TV watching kids grew up with, it is enough.
It is a quick read that is probably more of a snapshot of a life, but it duly hits all the major points. Fred Rogers’ apparent simplicity was hard to understand if you didn’t see the show or meet him in real life. The chapter on how he dealt with people who made fun of him was instructional. I wonder how he might have dealt with the current online world with all its trolling and awfulness, but I get the feeling that Twitter would be no match for his disarming and unflagging ability to stay calm and see the goodness in everyone.
It’s a terrible world out there. But Mister Rogers spent his life trying to make it better.
His gentle manner, his complete honesty and sincerity and desire to help children have made him a beloved figure that touched the lives of millions of people. Almost 20 years after his death, his reach has extended to many of the adults who now have children and grandchildren of their own.
Kindness and Wonder is an attempt to explain the man whom many hold in such high regard. It is an easy book, only 236 pages, divided into 2 sections. The first is about Mister Rogers’ life and career. The second is a 10-step chapter by chapter run through of the ways that a person can take the lessons from Mister Rogers’ amazing life and apply them to their own. There are stories, there are lessons, and for fans of the man that many of us TV watching kids grew up with, it is enough.
It is a quick read that is probably more of a snapshot of a life, but it duly hits all the major points. Fred Rogers’ apparent simplicity was hard to understand if you didn’t see the show or meet him in real life. The chapter on how he dealt with people who made fun of him was instructional. I wonder how he might have dealt with the current online world with all its trolling and awfulness, but I get the feeling that Twitter would be no match for his disarming and unflagging ability to stay calm and see the goodness in everyone.
It’s a terrible world out there. But Mister Rogers spent his life trying to make it better.
September 18, 2020
Rogers was an interesting man. I was surprised by how often and to what extent he was made fun of, yet he stayed humbly committed to his purpose.
The chapter about loving your neighbors was strange and boring (Andy who?). There was some language and adult content at different spots. I guess it’s popular these days to speculate about who was probably gay. 🙄🙄
The subtitle of the book is really misleading because he does not explain why Mr. Rogers matters now more now than ever. The first part of the book is biographical where as the second part talks about different pithy statements that Rogers lived by. Reading this book motivated me to look up episodes of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood on Amazon. 😆Nostalgic!🤗
The chapter about loving your neighbors was strange and boring (Andy who?). There was some language and adult content at different spots. I guess it’s popular these days to speculate about who was probably gay. 🙄🙄
The subtitle of the book is really misleading because he does not explain why Mr. Rogers matters now more now than ever. The first part of the book is biographical where as the second part talks about different pithy statements that Rogers lived by. Reading this book motivated me to look up episodes of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood on Amazon. 😆Nostalgic!🤗
January 7, 2025
I wanted to end 2024 and my book challenge with a book that truly meant a lot to me.
Of course it had to be a book about the most wonderful neighbor anybody could have ever asked for, Mister Rogers
I absolutely LOVED this book.
I will always Cherish and Thank him for what he gave me as a child and what he has given me as an adult.
I love you Mister Rogers.
Definitely recommend
Happy Reading 📚
Happy Listening 🎧
Happy New Year 🎆
Of course it had to be a book about the most wonderful neighbor anybody could have ever asked for, Mister Rogers
I absolutely LOVED this book.
I will always Cherish and Thank him for what he gave me as a child and what he has given me as an adult.
I love you Mister Rogers.
Definitely recommend
Happy Reading 📚
Happy Listening 🎧
Happy New Year 🎆
February 2, 2023
Lovely telling of a life of kindness and gentleness.
Part 1 is the biography of Fred Rogers and his neighborhood.
Part 2 is a list of ten ways we can be more like Fred Rogers.
Everyone who works with people, children especially, should read the whole book so they can fully glean the wisdom from part 2.
Fred Rogers didn’t do anything complicated. He was patterned, simple, thoughtful. He loved the person in front of him with the intentionality that makes him Mr. Rogers. Part 2 shows us that we too can love like Mr. Rogers.
Read and be blessed.
Part 1 is the biography of Fred Rogers and his neighborhood.
Part 2 is a list of ten ways we can be more like Fred Rogers.
Everyone who works with people, children especially, should read the whole book so they can fully glean the wisdom from part 2.
Fred Rogers didn’t do anything complicated. He was patterned, simple, thoughtful. He loved the person in front of him with the intentionality that makes him Mr. Rogers. Part 2 shows us that we too can love like Mr. Rogers.
Read and be blessed.
November 3, 2020
This is such a powerful book. Its exactly what I needed.
June 5, 2020
Like a comfy old sweater, Fred Roger's book feels like going back to my warm childhood home.
January 19, 2023
Just as delightful as you think it’ll be!
July 14, 2023
WEEPING is an understatement.
March 31, 2024
If you’ve read other biographies about Mr. Rogers, you probably won’t learn too much new in this one, but it’s still fun to rehash all the famous stories. God damn GOAT.
Would probably read anything by Gavin Edwards.
Would probably read anything by Gavin Edwards.
October 29, 2021
3.25
I really enjoyed being able to learn about Mr. Rogers' life. Getting to hear more beautiful stories of his gentle soul impacting others with his authentic compassion was very moving.
However, the second half of the book ("Ten Ways to Live More Like Mr. Rogers Right Now") felt odd and disjointed. It was mostly anecdotal stories and a lot of them didn't seem to fit the chapter title. Some of the "Ways" seemed very specific to Mr. Rogers and not me, such as singing, puppeteering, and how he interacted with fans. There was an entire chapter about the lives of Andy Warhol and George Romero because they had some things in common with Mr. Rogers. In the end I think that Mr. Roger's life is inspiration enough without having to categorize it into a package.
I really enjoyed being able to learn about Mr. Rogers' life. Getting to hear more beautiful stories of his gentle soul impacting others with his authentic compassion was very moving.
However, the second half of the book ("Ten Ways to Live More Like Mr. Rogers Right Now") felt odd and disjointed. It was mostly anecdotal stories and a lot of them didn't seem to fit the chapter title. Some of the "Ways" seemed very specific to Mr. Rogers and not me, such as singing, puppeteering, and how he interacted with fans. There was an entire chapter about the lives of Andy Warhol and George Romero because they had some things in common with Mr. Rogers. In the end I think that Mr. Roger's life is inspiration enough without having to categorize it into a package.
September 28, 2019
I loved this book about Mister Rogers and the work he did on his show and how he lived his life! He does matter more now than ever, and I hope everyone who reads this is able to live just a little bit more like him, myself included. I had a few minor quibbles with the structure of the book (e.g. the first half of the book, which tells his life story, isn't broken into chapters or sections, its just 130 straight pages of his life), but that didn't diminish my enjoyment.
November 11, 2019
So I love Mr. Rodgers enough to finish the book to glean a tidbit here or there. Otherwise the author didn’t bring anything new to the table and added weird chapters like Andy Warhol, maybe to have enough length for a book.
June 13, 2020
LOVED the first half and was disappointed by the second half. There was a great opportunity to dig into the ways to emulate Mister Rogers and I felt like the author missed the mark and used examples that didn’t make much sense.
July 12, 2025
Wholesome and uplifting. The Mr. Rogers you saw on TV was who Fred Rogers was in real life. Gavin Edwards does a great job of telling the life story of Mr. Rogers. The first part of this book is biographical. If you have read Maxwell King’s biography of Fred Rogers, then much of this part will be familiar to you. The second part is unique, however, in that Edwards picks out 10 qualities of Rogers’s character that the reader may emulate in their own life. These 10 characteristics are as follows:
1. Be deep and simple.
2. Be kind to strangers.
3. Make a joyful noise.
4. Tell the truth.
5. Connect with other people in every way you can.
6. Love your neighbors.
7. Find the light in the darkness.
8. Always see the very best in other people.
9. Accept the changing seasons.
10. Share what you’ve learned (all your life).
While going through the biographical section, I found that Mr. Rogers is so easy to resonate with. His interests were music, religion, and history. But he found virtually everything about the world and people fascinating. He had such a learning spirit, and believed silence and listening were some of the best virtues one could have. He would go so far to say that “I think silence is one of the greatest gifts we have.” He also thought that children are emerging people with their own psychological needs rather than wild beasts in need of discipline or empty vessels to fill with information. This philosophy shaped so much of what he did in the educational ministry of his television program. In a world beset by darkness and horrors, he would urge his viewers to “look for the helpers” during times of crisis. Those who interacted with him came to believe that even after tragedy, you need to be open to the possibility of good things and healing happening in life. A great read!
1. Be deep and simple.
2. Be kind to strangers.
3. Make a joyful noise.
4. Tell the truth.
5. Connect with other people in every way you can.
6. Love your neighbors.
7. Find the light in the darkness.
8. Always see the very best in other people.
9. Accept the changing seasons.
10. Share what you’ve learned (all your life).
While going through the biographical section, I found that Mr. Rogers is so easy to resonate with. His interests were music, religion, and history. But he found virtually everything about the world and people fascinating. He had such a learning spirit, and believed silence and listening were some of the best virtues one could have. He would go so far to say that “I think silence is one of the greatest gifts we have.” He also thought that children are emerging people with their own psychological needs rather than wild beasts in need of discipline or empty vessels to fill with information. This philosophy shaped so much of what he did in the educational ministry of his television program. In a world beset by darkness and horrors, he would urge his viewers to “look for the helpers” during times of crisis. Those who interacted with him came to believe that even after tragedy, you need to be open to the possibility of good things and healing happening in life. A great read!
January 9, 2023
Much is known about Mr. Rogers; his love of puppets, that he was a minister, that he was devoted to each and every child that he touched with his work. But there was much here that I didn't know. For instance, Mr. Rogers was high school classmates with Arnold Palmer and college classmates with Anthony Perkins. He was also an overweight, lonely, and awkward child. Are there any of us that didn't feel lonely and awkward as a child? Michael Keaton worked on the set of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood before he became a star. He caught his two teenage sons with a marijuana grow in their basement. The first half of this book serves as a biography of Mr. Rogers, with many quotes from his friends, family, co-workers, and acquaintances lending color to the facts of his life. The second half is 10 ways we can be like Mr. Rogers, mostly using stories from the general public who encountered him over his career.
It's a truly delightful and uplifting book. It won't take long to read, and you'll feel better about yourself and society when you do.
It's a truly delightful and uplifting book. It won't take long to read, and you'll feel better about yourself and society when you do.
July 29, 2023
This was a nice, lovely book to listen to. It was interesting to here about the life of the person who was known by many as Mister Rogers.
While the author did at times take time to point out some of the problematic things he did/didn’t do. Like he seemed to accept a person for being gay. But didn’t stand up for them the way he did black Americans. And while there were times he seemed to down play other aspects of him like his pride, he did acknowledge/mention even not positive/good aspects of his life and personality. And since the purpose of the book seemed to be about highlighting the positive things he did and the example he tried to be for others, this feels like a usually well struck balance between reality and focusing on the positive.
There were also a few times where it felt like the author was getting repetitive about facts, it does strike me as a book where the author assumes people may read it in chunks instead of all at once.
I did like the author’s word choice for various things and I do overall like how this was written.
While the author did at times take time to point out some of the problematic things he did/didn’t do. Like he seemed to accept a person for being gay. But didn’t stand up for them the way he did black Americans. And while there were times he seemed to down play other aspects of him like his pride, he did acknowledge/mention even not positive/good aspects of his life and personality. And since the purpose of the book seemed to be about highlighting the positive things he did and the example he tried to be for others, this feels like a usually well struck balance between reality and focusing on the positive.
There were also a few times where it felt like the author was getting repetitive about facts, it does strike me as a book where the author assumes people may read it in chunks instead of all at once.
I did like the author’s word choice for various things and I do overall like how this was written.
April 24, 2024
My oldest daughter grew up watching Mr Rogers. We watched his show every day, sometimes twice a day. This man knew what he was doing, and he did it exceptionally well. Children knew they could trust him. He was speaking directly to them.
I can remember standing outside of preschool with other moms waiting for our children to be dismissed. It bothered me tremendously that many of them would roll their eyes and criticize Mr Rogers, saying he was boring and his show was horrible. They clearly never watched the program with their children. I could have said plenty but I held my tongue. There’s no reasoning with people like that.
To this day my daughter, now a young professional, will say Mr Rogers was “the real deal.” That’s exactly what he was, and he provided an enormous service to young children in this country. I wish there was someone similar today. No one comes close.
I recommend this book as a great introduction to Mr Rogers and all he did for children everywhere. There are more in-depth biographies, which are also very good, but this is a good start.
I can remember standing outside of preschool with other moms waiting for our children to be dismissed. It bothered me tremendously that many of them would roll their eyes and criticize Mr Rogers, saying he was boring and his show was horrible. They clearly never watched the program with their children. I could have said plenty but I held my tongue. There’s no reasoning with people like that.
To this day my daughter, now a young professional, will say Mr Rogers was “the real deal.” That’s exactly what he was, and he provided an enormous service to young children in this country. I wish there was someone similar today. No one comes close.
I recommend this book as a great introduction to Mr Rogers and all he did for children everywhere. There are more in-depth biographies, which are also very good, but this is a good start.
February 1, 2023
I liked this much more than the other Mr. Rogers biography I read. In the first place, this was less hagiography, despite its promise to explain how better to live like Fred Rogers. This book was more upfront about the parts of Rogers’s life and work that are less flattering (his control over his onscreen performers, demanding writing credit for episodes written by others) and seemed more interested in what practices and beliefs of Rogers’s made him the beloved saint he deservedly became. Also I was fascinated to learn about his friendships and connections with Anthony Perkins and George Romero!
May 22, 2021
Mr. Rogers came on right after the Electric Company. I loved the Electric Company. A neighborhood of muppets with big personalities that sang catchy songs. I learned and I was entertained. Without sparkle, Mr. Rogers would occupy the same space and I would scoff, how has this show lasted so long? My elementary self, too grown up for silly puppets, was often drawn in and transfixed by his welcoming, peaceful way. Read the book! I had no idea how much thought and work went into this man’s life work. With every page I am amazed by his kindness, grace, and Christ-like love for others. I’m convinced Mr. Rogers was the best thing that has ever been on television. He was a helper. I hope I can remember to follow his example more often and tackle life with more Kindness and Wonder. Thank you Mr. Rogers for your example!
December 14, 2020
I grew up watching Mister Rogers' Neighborhood; it was a cornerstone of my childhood. It does me some good to revisit Mister Rogers in some way every year or so, whether through the recent Tom Hanks movie or through great biographies like The Good Neighbor or this book. Fred Rogers was ahead of his time; this particular book reminds us that we'd do well to remember his messages and emulate his ways.
April 17, 2020
Third or fourth book I've read on Mr. Roger's recently. What an awesome, loving, caring man who truly made an impact on the world. He was so humble too. He may have seemed so childlike, but he was so intelligent with such great insight into the needs of kids and how best to help them manage the struggles and fears they have. Adult lessons taught in a way kids could grasp. Amazing book. Amazing man.
September 24, 2023
This book is perfectly executed! Giving an overview of Mr Rogers life and then 10 steps to live by with examples from Mr Rogers work. It showed that Mr Rogers wasn’t perfect but he was just trying to make the world a kinder and better place, especially for children.
‘Translate some of the care inside of you into action on the outside’
‘look for the helpers’
‘Translate some of the care inside of you into action on the outside’
‘look for the helpers’
November 25, 2019
I grew up watching Mister Rogers. I introduced all three of my daughters to Mister Rogers in their preschool years and often watched it with them. This book brought back a lot of memories and really delved into the character and nature of Fred Rogers and his mission in life. If you grew up in Fred's Neighborhood like I did, I highly recommend this book. If you never visited the Neighborhood, this book will serve as a fantastic overview of what you missed out on.
August 18, 2020
Fred Rogers was an amazing person. I really enjoyed hearing stories of his life before becoming "Mr. Rogers", as well as hearing stories from his life as a whole. This is an important book to read, especially during the times we are in, and really gives you some perspective of what human kind could do. A few of the things that I really loved were the stories that he made personal connections with fans/"neighbors". He answered every letter received, and I can imagine how meaningful that would be to someone. I also loved hearing that he was not afraid to do or say what he wanted and was right, even if it was not the mainstream way of thinking or acting. What a great listen/read!
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