Maxwell King

Drawing on original interviews, oral histories and archival documents, the author traces the iconic children's program host's personal, professional, and artistic life through decades of work.

The Life and Work of Fred Rogers

The Good Neighbor

Emily Burns

This was a beautiful book about a remarkable man. I am so sad to be finished with it, and am already thinking about all of the people I want to recommend it to. What a balm to a weary world.

Jonathan Tysick

A very informative look at Rogers' life and work, although I wish it discussed his marriage a bit more. By all accounts Rogers was an integrous, gentle, Christ-like man. The real deal. If anything, I think his show is underrated after reading about how every word of the script was written in consultation with a child development specialist. I've been showing it to my toddler and he loves it!

Pax Nova

This book was much more academic than I was expecting and read a lot like a college essay, but nonetheless I still enjoyed reading and learning about the life and work of the incredible Mister Rogers.

Caroline Lewicki

Fred Rogers was a beautiful person and there will never be another human being like him, you cannot change my mind. The depth that King goes into Mr. Rogers' story makes you feel like you knew him personally, if you didn't already feel that way from watching his show. He had such an incredible outlook on life and I truly feel that anyone who works with kids or has children of their own should read this book. I just want to employ everything Mr. Rogers did into my own work. The detail and chronology of "The Good Neighbor" was fantastic and so thorough, I was seriously impressed.

Meredith Rose

I've read some outstanding nonfiction books over the past two years, some of which include The Diary of Anne Frank, The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, Anne Frank Remembered by Miep Gies, Why We Can't Wait by Martin Luther King Jr., and Some Writer! by Melissa Sweet.

I can now confirm that The Good Neighbor by Maxwell King is just as moving, thought-provoking, and enlightening as any of these books. Before seeing the 2018 documentary Won't You Be My Neighbor?, I had never even heard of Fred Rogers. Now, after delving even deeper into his life and work through this biography, he has become a pivotal role model in my life. 

This book is a must-read for anyone who works with children or has children of their own. If more parents, educators, volunteers, and minsters would put in the time and effort to practice Fred Rogers' model of communication, I truly believe we could affect so many lives for the better! Despite the fact that I am not yet a parent, this book has inspired me to model my every interaction with a child after the Fred Rogers model of love, patience, and attentiveness.

Rogers (1928-2003) was an enormously influential figure in the history of television and in the lives of tens of millions of children. This engaging, heartfelt work is the first full-length biography of Rogers and tells the story of this utterly unique and enduring American icon.

Kate Gravelle

I had higher hopes for this book but it read like a very long essay.

Sarah Selden

5 stars for Fred Rogers, 3 stars for organization

Adam

I didn't watch Mr. Rogers Neighborhood when I was a kid. I have no idea why – it seems like an amazing show. I've watched a few episodes since as an adult and have been amazed. Reading this had me tearing up in places at the empathy displayed by Fred Rogers throughout his life. There's something to just listening to people and telling them they're important just the way they are.

Emma D

Juliana

Madeline Adams

Mira McMahon

KADY BURNS

Mandi Jayne

Ryan B Harvey

Rebecca Laparra

Fred Rogers (1928–2003) was an enormously influential figure in the history of television and in the lives of tens of millions of children. As the creator and star of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, he was a champion of compassion, equality, and kindness. Rogers was fiercely devoted to children and to taking their fears, concerns, and questions about the world seriously. The Good Neighbor, the first full-length biography of Fred Rogers, tells the story of this utterly unique and enduring American icon. Drawing on original interviews, oral histories, and archival documents, Maxwell King traces Rogers’s personal, professional, and artistic life through decades of work, including a surprising decision to walk away from the show to make television for adults, only to return to the neighborhood with increasingly sophisticated episodes, written in collaboration with experts on childhood development. An engaging story, rich in detail, The Good Neighbor is the definitive portrait of a beloved figure, cherished by multiple generations.

The Good Neighbor The Life and Work of Fred Rogers

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