Take a photo of a barcode or cover
scottsterpa 's review for:
The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers
by Maxwell King
I'm sure that most people who care enough about Fred Rogers to read this biography can tell their own story of how his program and words have helped chart the course for their lives. I won't go into great detail, but suffice it to say that I grew up watching him daily, and that his example continues to inspire me today in my career and relationships with people.
I truly appreciated this book. It was skillfully written, and did so much to humanize (in the best ways possible) a man who to many seemed too good to be true. He grew up in a remarkably affluent family. The cynically-minded would dismiss him on that basis, with the objection that of course he could be so noble--he could afford to be. While I will allow that his background did clear away many of the imperatives of surviving and making do, his choice to give his life in service to children says a lot for him. He could have enjoyed the family fortune and amassed yet more. He could have used his impressive composing and performing skills to parlay worldwide fame as a classical artist. He chose to live simply, seriously, and out of real love and kindness.
Despite the many advantages of his upbringing, he was an only child in the early years, and plagued with sickness that confined him to his room for long days. This isolation formed the seedbed for his fertile imagination and work with puppets. This, and the fact that he was bullied, led to his compassion for children. I think that by showing kindness to other children, he was healing the child within himself. Of course, his whole family was supportive, particularly his mother and grandparents. Of these, the story of his grandfather was very touching, the man who didn't have any preconceived demands for Fred--he cemented in his mind the idea that he made life special for those around him, just by being himself.
It made Mr. Rogers seem more real to learn of his self-doubt, his anxiety, as well as his keen sense of humor that came out when the time was right. Though he lived a scrupulously moral life, he could laugh with and embrace those who were salt-of-the-earth types.
Though I grew up with Mr. Rogers, I never understood the depth of research and study that went into every word and image he put before children. With Dr. McFarland, he combed through the tiniest details and crafted shows that were masterpieces in early childhood education, social and emotional as well as cognitive. I was also intrigued to learn how unyielding he was in the core convictions of helping children without any sort of deception or exploitation. The integrity with which he pursued his life's calling is most inspiring.
I could go on and on about the things I learned that made me appreciate Mr. Rogers even more after reading this book. But suffice it to say, his knack of calling forth and appreciating the best in people is something I want to cultivate more and more.
I truly appreciated this book. It was skillfully written, and did so much to humanize (in the best ways possible) a man who to many seemed too good to be true. He grew up in a remarkably affluent family. The cynically-minded would dismiss him on that basis, with the objection that of course he could be so noble--he could afford to be. While I will allow that his background did clear away many of the imperatives of surviving and making do, his choice to give his life in service to children says a lot for him. He could have enjoyed the family fortune and amassed yet more. He could have used his impressive composing and performing skills to parlay worldwide fame as a classical artist. He chose to live simply, seriously, and out of real love and kindness.
Despite the many advantages of his upbringing, he was an only child in the early years, and plagued with sickness that confined him to his room for long days. This isolation formed the seedbed for his fertile imagination and work with puppets. This, and the fact that he was bullied, led to his compassion for children. I think that by showing kindness to other children, he was healing the child within himself. Of course, his whole family was supportive, particularly his mother and grandparents. Of these, the story of his grandfather was very touching, the man who didn't have any preconceived demands for Fred--he cemented in his mind the idea that he made life special for those around him, just by being himself.
It made Mr. Rogers seem more real to learn of his self-doubt, his anxiety, as well as his keen sense of humor that came out when the time was right. Though he lived a scrupulously moral life, he could laugh with and embrace those who were salt-of-the-earth types.
Though I grew up with Mr. Rogers, I never understood the depth of research and study that went into every word and image he put before children. With Dr. McFarland, he combed through the tiniest details and crafted shows that were masterpieces in early childhood education, social and emotional as well as cognitive. I was also intrigued to learn how unyielding he was in the core convictions of helping children without any sort of deception or exploitation. The integrity with which he pursued his life's calling is most inspiring.
I could go on and on about the things I learned that made me appreciate Mr. Rogers even more after reading this book. But suffice it to say, his knack of calling forth and appreciating the best in people is something I want to cultivate more and more.