You Are My Friend

The Story of Mister Rogers
and His Neighborhood

Abrams Books for Young Readers
(pub. 8.6.2019) 
40 pages

A True Tale with

A Cherry On Top    

A uthor: Aimee Reid
       and illustrator:  Matt Phelan

 
C haracter: Mister Fred Rogers

O verview: 
     "A heartwarming picture book that celebrates the work of Mister Rogers and carries on his legacy of kindness.
      Mister Rogers is one of the most beloved television personalities, but before he was the man who brought us Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, he was just little Freddie Rogers. Though he was often sick and had trouble making friends as a child, his mom and grandfather encouraged him to ask for help and explore the world. With their support, he learned how to better say what he was feeling and see the beauty around him. 
      As he grew up, he realized he could spread the message of compassion, equality, and kindness through television. You Are My Friend is a gentle homage to Fred Rogers and shows how his simple message still resonates with us today: “There’s no person in the world like you and I like you just the way you are.”

T antalizing taste: 
"Fred created a television show for children.
He remembered all of the people who had 
helped him as he was growing up.
He thought of his neighbor, Mama Bell Frampton,
who was always glad to see him.
He wanted to share that good feeling with children everywhere ...

At first, Fred felt shy to be in front of the camera,
but he found out that his grandpa was right.
Just by being himself Fred made his show special."

And something more:  "A Brief Biography of Fred Rogers" at the back of the book explains that "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood ceased production in 2000 after taping 895 episodes... [and] The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History holds one of Mister Rogers' iconic zippered sweaters in permanent display."
     Aimee Reed touchingly writes in her Author's Note, "I hope that Mister Rogers' affirming message reaches you and your loved ones, too. No matter our ages or histories, our hopes or sorrows, we all need to hear it.
      You are important. You are valuable.  You are enough - just as you are."