Customer Reviews

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood - Adventures in Friendship

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On that terrible day in 2003 when Fred Rogers left this planet, I openly wept at his loss. I knew then and still believe that a man like Mister Rogers only comes along once in a lifetime. Sadly, there may never be another television show as influential and downright healthy for children to watch. The good news is that Anchor Bay has teamed up with Rogers' company, Family Communications, to begin releasing episodes of Mister Rogers Neighborhood on DVD. The two episodes featured on this disc and its companion disc, "A Day at the Circus" are in as good a shape as I've seen them. The bonus materials are also blessedly free of the fluff and commericialism that is so prevalent on children's videos today. Disney, I'm talking to you! My son is only fifteen months old, but already has fallen in love with Mister Rogers and his neighbors. The program not only captures his attention, but he responds to it in ways that show me that he is truly involved with the events on the screen. Mister Rogers was an important part of my childhood and I am so pleased that he will also be a part of my son's life. Thank you, Mister Rogers!

This DVD contains two full episodes of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, one from the early 1980's (when I was watching it every day) and the other from a decade later (when my father watched it for me while I was at school and reported back to me what we learned that day).

In the first episode, we get to visit a restaurant, and then in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, Henrietta Pussycat and X the Owl get angry with each other while making fruit salad.

In the second episode, the Neighborhood of Make-Believe comes first, which totally disoriented me since I ALWAYS remembered it the other way around--anyway, Lady Aberlin asks questions about what love is, and then in the real neighborhood we get to hear lullabyes played on a mandolin by a Ukranian guy with a mullet.

I had forgotten just how serious this show is. I tend to file it away with "happy childhood memories," but really, love and friendship and anger and all of that ARE serious topics for anyone, and Mister Rogers does not water down his themes just because his audience is very young.

The DVD extras are pretty cool--for adults, a video of Mister Rogers accepting his lifetime achievement award, which is touching in and of itself but also includes a neat video synopsis of his life (it doesn't mention his death though). The teddy bear assembly was interesting as well. My kid is still in the womb so I will have to get back with you about the effectiveness of the kid activities and games on the DVD. :)

My one disappointment was that Daniel Striped Tiger, who is totally my favorite, was not on either episode. I missed Corny, too, in his rocking chair factory--he wasn't even on the DVD extra.

Mister Rogers Adventure in Friendship is an excellent DVD. This is one of two Mister Rogers DVD's released to date and if you have young children you will be pleased with this purchase. This DVD is so much more than just two amazing Mister Rogers episodes on DVD. The program booklet and DVD extras assist you in really using this DVD as a teaching tool. Not only can it be used as a teaching tool, it can also be entertaining for your child because it includes many activities and suggested activities. This is the first childrens DVD that I ever had that came with a recipe. The Mister Rogers Adventures in Friendship DVD comes with a recipe for Pizza Bagels. The recipe is in the full color booklet and on the DVD. The activities included with the DVD are Making Paper Chains and Silly Folder Picture. The DVD book includes Care-Giving Tips, similar to those founds on the Mister Rogers PBS website. Another thing I really appreciated was that the book has suggested reading appropriate to the theme of the two episodes included on the DVD. The DVD includes the episodes "When Friends Fight," and "Love." The DVD also includes games. If you have a DVD Rom, it would be probably easier for a young child to play the games with the mouse or the arrows on a computer verses with the remote control for the DVD player. These are just a few of the special features included with this release, as there are many more. This is an excellent DVD release and it is quite clear that the DVD producers and people associated with the show put a lot of effort into making this a quality DVD release.

I'm so excited that Mister Rogers Neighborhood is finally coming to DVD. I loved this show when I was a little boy and I can't wait to share it with my own children. This was a show that really made me feel good. I have such amazing memories associated with it. Unlike the wave of horrible, quick cut, fast paced children's shows that are being made today, Mister Rogers was real and like any educator will tell you, made with children's needs in mind.

He was a major inspiration for me as he will be for my kids. Not only did he teach children to learn and have fun doing it, but he taught them how to cope with the world around them. And most of all he taught both children and adults alike how to be kind to one another and have respect for those people who might be your neighbor. We can all, young and old alike, learn something from this show.

DO YOURSELF AND YOUR CHILDREN A FAVOR, BUY THIS DVD.

When Fred Rogers passed away in 2003, I was surprised by the welling up of emotion I felt... I had, of course, watched him on TV when I was little and alwys liked him, although I intuitively knew the show was a bit babyish... Then, when "Sesame Street" came along, I switched my allegiance... I wanted to watch the more "grown-up" show...:-) but I always felt a lingering fondness for Mr. Rogers, and while an increasingly cynical popular culture made fun of his doting sweetness, I never did.

Now, a parent with a child of my own, in search of non-disturbing entertainment that won't insult the intelligence of a little kid, I've come back to Mister Rogers' neighborhood, and it feels like home. Sadly, amazingly, inexplicably, there are only three DVDs of Mister Rogers material to be found(!) and they are all from his later years, when his hair was grey and he tended to drop things a lot... But the sweetness, the sincerity, the earnest desire to make the world a better place still comes through loud and clear. Mister Rogers is a comforting presence, and his Land of Make Believe is still as magical as ever: we were hooked. It's a pity you can't see all the old stuff, too -- I imagine in a few years it will all be available online as downloads, but I'm sad that we will have to miss it, when the time is so right. Oh, well.

Anyway, these DVD editions are nice, although they do have their quirks. "A Day At The Circus" is one of the best because it has two stand-alone episodes, one about visiting the circus and another about making music. The footage of live animals and chats with various circus performers is nice, and as ever Mr. Rogers aims at making life easier for the littlest people: one of the messages he gives them is that it's okay to want to leave the circus if you feel you've "had enough", and that it's okay to say so to your parents.

The other discs are wonderful, too, though a little more problematic in that they tell whole stories, but in a fractured fashion. As longtime viewers will know, Mr. Rogers would continue plotlines from day to day, so that a story might begin on Monday but not be resolved until Friday... So for example, in one storyline two Make Believe characters get in a fight, but the resolution comes several days later. All very well and fine, except that there are only two episodes on each disc, so we see the beginning, and get the set-up, but when the next episode comes up there are references fto all many events that happened in the interim -- the lesson is still learned, but the gap in the narrative is disconcerting, and shows a surprising lack of respect for the audience. Nonetheless, this was a wonderful show, and if these discs are the only material available to households that do not watch "real" TV, they are still certainly worth watching. Hopefully the folks at Anchor Bay (Rogers' company) will open the vaults soon, and more Make Believe magic will be available again.

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood: Adventures In Friendship presents two episodes of the widely beloved children's television show, which gently introduces young people to positive attitudes and respectful behaviors. Two full color, 30-minute episodes, "Friends" and "Love", teach young people about life. In "Friends", Henrietta Pussycat and X the Owl have trouble cooperating, until Lady Aberlin helps them work together and realize that friends should not be afraid of being upset with each other. In "Love", Lady Aberlin sees King Friday and Queen Sara have an argument, and learns that people who love each other can also have angry feelings sometimes. Extra features on the DVD include a teddy bear factory tour, a "making friends" read-along, three games, activities, a section about Fred Rogers, and much more. A heartwarming and emotionally uplifting classic program to share with young viewers, highly recommended. 58 minutes, color.

This excellent DVD for young children includes classic Mister Rogers songs like "It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" and a geat sing-along of "You are special" with Mister Rogers. It includes the trolly to the Land of Make Believe and some great stories on friendship. Plus you also get a nice trolly toy.

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood is probably the best show ever made for children, because he understands the educational and emotional needs of young children ages two, three, four, and five; the little ones learning to count one-two-three-four-five, tie their shoes, and just beginning to understand themselves and their worlds. That's why Mister Rogers's Neighborhood is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics - your child's doctor.

Mister Rogers teaches young children to value themselves and respect others. He speaks to them directly on his show and encourages them to use their creativity. He brings them on field trips to interesting places, like a farm, bakery, barber shop, and balloon factory.

He is a good person - an educator - to invite into your home and share time with your child. His message is simple.

"You're special.

"I like you just the way you are.

"There's only one person in the whole world just like you."

Fred Rogers wrote over 150 songs, produced and wrote almost all of his shows, and staged most of his puppets himself. He collected four Emmy Awards, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Academy of Television and Arts Sciences, numerous honorary degrees, and other awards. One of his red cardigan sweaters is enshrined in the Smithsonian Institute. Despite his success, he refused opportunities to get rich off his fame and remained a humble man committed to his cause of quality entertainment for young children.

He became widely recognized as a trusted authority on early childhood education, testifying before Congress and interviewed frequently. In an Associated Press Interview he said, "We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It's easy to say `It's not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.' Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes."

Fred Rogers is one of the unsung heroes of our society, helping children to learn about themselves, learn about the world, like themselves, and respect other people. He was very special. Children love Mister Rogers.

My 2 and 4 year olds love Mr. Rogers. The four year old is very focused on where he goes and what he is teaching, whether it is feeling, manners, or making music. The two year old's first comment after watching one of the shows, was "again". She talks to the screen and waives goodbye at the end of the show. I'm just glad my kids have the chance to learn that they are special too, just like my brothers and sisters did.

I gave my best friend's daughter this DVD along with the other Mister Rogers DVD ("A Day At The Circus") for her birthday, and she LOVES them. Her favorite part is the Tour of The Teddy Bear Factory on the bonus material. I have to admit, I've watched it several times with her myself. It's so inspiring to watch her eyes light up when the 'choo choo' comes on the screen. She sits on my lap with 110% of her focus on that tv screen. I'm just glad its this and not some of the other garbage kids programs that are out today...

I have loved this show forever. This DVD includes 2 episodes of the show, Games, & lots of fun recipes. Enjoy!!!