Customer Reviews

The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember

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If ever there was a man in contemporary America who should serve as a wonderful role model, it was the late Fred Rogers. Using love and compassion as a flag for his humanitarian endeavors on public television and elsewhere, Fred Rogers became a symbol of all that is best and right with this country. I first became hooked on him as my then toddling daughter watched him every evening on public television, and while he was hardly either macho or particularly masculine, there was an undoubtedly appealing aspect to his persona that literally would warm the room. Here we have a selection of essays from Rogers that illustrate his deep philosophical concern for children as well as his abiding human compassion for others, something in seeming short supply today. Preaching a Christian cant of charity and tolerance, he continually lit a veritable beacon of positive examples through his words as well as in his life.

The selection gathered here range from his acceptance speech when inducted into the Television Hall Of Fame discussing having the courage to be an individual to various songs on his program, and an abiding message of love, the value of learning, and the desperate need to center our society around the enduring needs of children. I remember being moved each time he would gaze into the camera and seemingly tell my entranced toddler that he was proud of her, that she was special, and that to be herself was okay. She didn't have to be first, or to do anything other than to be whoever she was. His program format as being your neighbor worked magic, and tended to calm down my daughter as she watched his program and giggled at many of the hilarious antics of the puppets. But Rogers delivered some important messages to our children, and it is no mistake his programs run still, as I am sure they will forever.

His writing style is straightforward and direct, written in simple language that even younger children will comprehend. But this is not to suggest the book is meant for children. Rather it is meant for the rest of us, dazzled as we are by his daring to be himself, and to leave behind such memorable treasures, as are these essays and other works he wrote along the way. For whether he is counseling children as to how the attack on the world trade center was a result of people being so angry they didn't know what else to do with it, or counseling us as to how to express our pent-up love, caring, and compassion, Fred Rogers was a remarkable human being, and one many of us can profit by reading and heeding. Enjoy!

This was a beautiful gift from one of my daughters. If you ever watched Mister Rogers and sensed his honesty and integrity and his open heart you will love this book. It is a collection of thoughts and ideas that Fred Rogers felt were important to know and remember in order to raise children to grow up into caring, responsible adults who will pass on those same traits to their children. It is a pure delight to read. It is encouraging, supportive and insightful. It is heartwarming and down to earth.
I n a world that at times seems to be full of gray areas Fred Rogers writes- "It's not the honors and the prizes and the fancy outside of life that ultimately nourish our souls. It's the knowing that we can be trusted, that we never have to fear the truth, that the bedrock of our very being is firm."
His observation about the scarey realities of life, particularly since September 11th, seem truly timeless. He wrote- "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." To this day especially in times of "disaster", I remember my mother's words., and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers-so many caring people in this world."
How appropriate in this new awareness of the world we live in.

That this was a gift from my daughter made it all the more wonderful and one of those rare "signs" a parent gets that all the hard work was very much worth it!!

This wonderful book reminded me how much I learned from Fred Rogers. He was my dad (I didn't know my real dad) and showed me what it takes to be a loving person. This book is a must-read. I also recommend Optimal Thinking: How To Be Your Best Self which showed my how to make the most of my thinking and feelings, deal with self-sabotage once and for all, and make the most of everything that comes my way.

Like many adults, i grew up on Mr. Rogers and remember his TV shows and characters. This book is aptly subtitled- "important things to remember" and is a great collection of stories, anecdotes and thoughts on topics that matter like Love, relationships, individuals, respect and honesty. It help us remember what its like to be a good neighbor.

There is a foreword written by his wife which is very touching and the book is easy to read--each short anedote/saying is printed on a separate page. It would be a good idea to read a page a day and use that as the basis for "a thought for the day."

This book would make an ideal present for the coming holidays, especially for kids and for those who grew up with Mr. Rogers and didn't we all??

This has to be one of the most beautiful and inspiring books that I have ever read. A gentle and beautiful soul, Fred Rogers lived what he taught not only to the children, but also to the entire world. This book will warm your heart as well as your soul and many of his heart-felt quotes will want to be written down and referred to often! An incredible legacy is left behind, yet those whose hearts he touched personally will be forever changed.

Fred Rogers was indeed in incredible role model for our children, teaching acceptance, love, value and worthiness. His words, so lovingly compiled by his wife, are a treasure to us all now and one cannot help but have tears spring to one's eyes by the sheer simple beauty of his sayings.

His love, acceptance, and compassion are true jewels in these turbulent times that we find ourselves living in. His grace is missed, but his spirit lives on.

An amazing gift for anyone at anytime - special occasions are not needed here!!!

This is a ten star in my library! Just amazing and beautiful!

... because I cried several times while reading this delightful little book, just because I still miss him. It seems odd, on one level, to grieve the death of a man I never met, and yet, on another level, he made viewers feel as if he personally cared about their needs. The book does the same thing. Also, the forward by his wife is lovely, and so informative. I enjoyed reading that he was *her* icon long before anyone else's! This is a pearl of a book from a man with a heart of gold.

I purchased the hardcover version of this book after reading a an empowering quote that someone left me, credited to Mr. Rogers.

It was enough to get me to actively seek and purchase it, with no disappointment after it was in my hands.

The book consists of quotes, categorized in sections anywhere from being neighborly, to the challenges of inner discipline, to understanding love, and the courage to be yourself.

It's words are soft like a big hug...and so serene...the reminders included in this book are gentle, and yet contain so much power.

On fond memories of observing his character during my childhood days of watching the TV show, looking at, and even owning this book is a positive 'trigger', and brings warmth and a smile to look at and hold.

The price of the book was a hurdle for me. Normally books of this nature don't run me as much as this one did, however, the aura about it and the feeling I get when I see it on my desk is was well worth getting over the cost for.

If you are looking for a good book to cheer someone up or for a graduate or other celebrant in need of some good, but simple advice then this is a great choice. There's some great advice inside, all told in Mister Rogers's simple, familiar style.

Be warned that the book is small, and fairly light on text. It is arranged with one quote for page, and most of the pages have a little bit of text and a whole lot of blank space. I read the entire book in about an hour before going to bed. I borrowed it from the library, and copied down a few quotes that I found particularly helpful, but otherwise I didn't feel the need to own this book.

having recently lost my wonderful husband of 25 1/2 years, i picked up this book which i had ordered a month or so before my 51 year old husband passed away. the wisdom and comfort that i found within its covers will be cherished by me for the rest of my life. i quote "when the gusty winds blow and shake our lives, if we know that people care about us, we may bend with the wind...but we won't break." wow - that means so much to me. thank you mr. rogers - oh by the way - say hello to my "del" for me will ya?

When you read this heart-warming book, you feel the compassion and wisdom of a rare soul. Mr. Rogers is a wonderful book, and a great read when you need to find comfort. This book joins my favorite, Optimal Thinking-How To Be Your Best Self which taught me how to overcome self-sabotage, deal with painful feelings correctly and make the most of every situation. With the comfort and insight gained from these books, I can say this is still a beautiful world.