05/20/2019
In this graceful, quietly moving biography, readers learn that Fred Rogers, the PBS personality beloved by generations of children, started life as an outlier, bullied and often sick, with only his puppets for friends. “Sometimes, when he was all alone, Freddie cried,” writes Reid (Mama’s Day with Little Gray ), who strikes a soothing, almost reportorial tone throughout. The discovery that emotions of all kinds could be articulated through music, and the loving attention of a few key adults, help Rogers gain confidence and a sense of purpose, inspiring him to invent a TV show that celebrates helping, kindness, and the importance of people learning “to like themselves.” Pencil-and-watercolor art by Phelan (Little Robot Alone ) exudes a sense of warmth and reflection, not unlike Rogers’s show itself; pops of red and other bright colors punctuate soft, sunny washes to emphasize Rogers’s signature cardigans—which, in these pages, date back to his childhood. It’s a graceful, quietly moving biography, albeit one that includes very little where Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood is concerned: for example, the Neighborhood of Make-Believe and the groundbreaking role of Officer Clemmons are never referenced. Nonetheless, readers should come away with appreciation for Rogers as someone who cared deeply about what children thought and felt. Ages 5–8. (Aug.)
**STARRED REVIEW** "Writing with simplicity, emotional clarity, and a sense of purpose, Reid tells Fred Rogers’ story in a meaningful, sometimes moving way. Phelan’s fluid pencil-and-watercolor artwork brings that story to life on the page . . . A beautifully crafted, heartfelt picture-book biography."—Booklist Kirkus Reviews Publishers Weekly Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books School Library Journal Horn Book Magazine
**STARRED REVIEW** "Writing with simplicity, emotional clarity, and a sense of purpose, Reid tells Fred Rogers’ story in a meaningful, sometimes moving way. Phelan’s fluid pencil-and-watercolor artwork brings that story to life on the page . . . A beautifully crafted, heartfelt picture-book biography."
"The book has a gentle cadence that it’s easy to imagine Fred Rogers’ famous voice into . . . Phelan’s pencil and watercolor art, casually impressionistic in its details, beams with soft warmth."
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"The easy-to-read text is just right for those who may no longer watch Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood but who would nevertheless appreciate a reassuring encounter with an old friend."
**STARRED REVIEW** "Writing with simplicity, emotional clarity, and a sense of purpose, Reid tells Fred Rogers’ story in a meaningful, sometimes moving way. Phelan’s fluid pencil-and-watercolor artwork brings that story to life on the page . . . A beautifully crafted, heartfelt picture-book biography."
08/01/2019
PreS-Gr 2— A quietly moving picture book biography about the origin story of Mister Rogers. In straightforward language, Reid lays out the facts of Fred "Freddie" Rogers's childhood—bouts of sickness that forced him to remain inside for weeks on end, loneliness that laid the foundation for an expansive imagination, bullying, and a close relationship with his grandfather, who showed love and unconditional support and gifted young Freddie with the words that would shape his own philosophy: that he "was special and that, just by being himself, [he] made the day special, too." Phelan's soft pencil work and washes of watercolor give the artwork an appropriately nostalgic feel, while bright pops of green and red—Fred's iconic cardigans—draw the eye and underscore the unique power of Mister Rogers to inspire an almost instantaneous bond with his viewers. Young readers who may not be familiar with Mister Rogers' Neighborhood but who've likely enjoyed its successors, especially Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood , will learn about the man behind the creation of the original Neighborhood of Make-Believe and his path from shy boy to the visionary who revolutionized educational television for children. Back matter, including a brief biography, notes from Reid and Phelan, and a selected bibliography will help students understand the emotional impact Fred Rogers had—and continues to have—on generations of children. VERDICT With the popularity of Daniel Tiger and the recent Morgan Neville documentary (Won't You Be My Neighbor? ) and the upcoming biopic starring Tom Hanks, it is an ideal time to introduce the next generation to the pure magic of Mister Rogers and his legacy. His enduring message to children of all ages—that you are enough, just as you are—can never be overstated.—Kiera Parrott, School Library Journal
2019-05-26
"You are important. You are valuable. You are enough—just as you are." Freddie, as he was known as a child, spent quite a bit of time inside due to illness. Lonely, he turned to his puppets for comfort and entertainment, foreshadowing Daniel Tiger, Henrietta Pussycat, and other well-known characters who would later appear in Make-Believe. Fred's grandfather McFeely taught him to believe in himself, to trust that he was special. Fred learned how to handle difficult emotions by playing piano music that evoked how he felt in the moment. His mother played an important part, too, encouraging him to look for helpers around him. So many of these early strategies and philosophies would later form the ethos of the Emmy Award-winning Mister Rogers' Neighborhood , which ran for 895 episodes on PBS. Phelan's watercolor illustrations perfectly capture, through vivid colors, the rainbow of emotions that Freddie experienced. Phelan also employs both classic vignettes and graphic-novel elements, offering a unique portrayal of this remarkable individual. In one later image, he surrounds the sweater-clad white man with diverse children, including one who uses a wheelchair. Poignant notes from the author and illustrator explain the purpose, vision, and heart behind this book.
A simply written, thoughtful tribute worthy of the incomparable Mister Rogers. (Picture book/biography. 5-8)
