Reviews

You Are My Friend: The Story of Mister Rogers and His Neighborhood by Aimee Reid, Matt Phelan

bhavani's review against another edition

5.0

You Are My Friend does what the best books do; speak to the human in all of us.

erine's review against another edition

5.0

I have been waiting for a long time for a picture book biography of Fred Rogers. This isn't quite it, but it's almost more than just a biography. The text and illustrations radiate gentle friendship and manage to capture the spirit of Rogers while offering up a narrative of a young boy who struggled with big feelings and who grew up to be a helper and a hero in his own right. Not everyone ends up able to see themselves as a hero or positive force, but although Rogers was shy he managed a quiet kind of confidence that too often is overlooked in favor of brash, over-exaggerated self-aggrandizement.

Just lovely.

mldavisreads's review

5.0

Childrens picture book biography. This is the story of Fred Rogers, of Mr. Rogers fame. I did not watch Mr. Rogers as a kid but am currently watching a lot of Daniel Tiger with my toddler, which is kind of a spinoff. Fred was a child that was often sick, which led to him spending a lot of time alone and also tobeing bullied. To cope with his feelings, he turned to puppets and playing the piano. He also listened to his mother's advice to "look for the people who are helping". He had a close relationship with his Grandfather McFeely, who the mailman on his show was named after. As an adult, he saw a show where people threw pie at each other and wondered if TV could be used to make a positive impression on people instead. So he started his show--which was filled with puppets, music, and lots of people helping. The watercolor illustrations are very calming and fit very well with the text.

tashrow's review

4.0

Celebrate the life of the person who became Mister Rogers, a beloved children’s television creator. As a child, Freddie was often sick and filled his days with puppets. He found it hard to make friends and was bullied sometimes. Freddie found that piano was a way he could express his feelings. His mother also told him to look for people around who were helpers, which made him feel safe and supported. His grandfather allowed Freddie to take risks as a child and know that he was adored. When Fred Rogers created his television show, he incorporated all of these childhood inspirations. His show had lots of helpers who shared their talents, talked about difficult subjects, and always told children that they were valued.

Reid draws clear parallels between Fred Rogers’ childhood experiences and the television show he eventually created. The use of his own childhood as inspiration resonates with the readers, allowing them to better understand the impetus behind the iconic show. Even his own talents with puppetry and piano which were highlighted on the show are shown as ways that he expressed himself in the darker times of growing up.

Phelan’s art is done in watercolor and pencil. Special small moments are created in the images such as Freddie Rogers wearing a cardigan or the simple images of Rogers on the television in a variety of situations.

A book that vibrantly captures one of the pioneers of children’s television. Appropriate for ages 5-8.

librarian343's review

5.0

Happy World Kindness Day.

In honor of this day I found this book at Target. I love how muted and simple the illustrations yet they’re absolutely beautiful in every way which matches Fred Rogers’ esthetic perfectly.