A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: The Poetry of Mister Rogers

by Fred Rogers (Author) Luke Flowers (Illustrator)

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: The Poetry of Mister Rogers
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

The New York Times Best Seller For the first time ever, 75 beloved songs from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and The Children's Corner are collected in this charmingly illustrated treasury, sure to be cherished by generations of children as well as the millions of adults who grew up with Mister Rogers.

It's you I like.

It's not the things you wear, It's not the way you do your hair--But it's you I like.

From funny to sweet, silly to sincere, the lyrics of Mister Rogers explore such universal topics as feelings, new siblings, everyday life, imagination, and more. Through these songs--as well as endearing puppets and honest conversations--Mister Rogers instilled in his young viewers the values of kindness, self-awareness, and self-esteem. But most of all, he taught children that they are loved, just as they are. Perfect for bedtime, sing-along, or quiet time alone, this beautiful book of meaningful poetry is for every child--including the child inside of every one of us.

Select format:
Hardcover
$19.99

Kirkus

"Earnest messages, lighthearted flights of fancy, and familiar phrases [are] found in the poems gathered here...[and] Flowers' illustrations are energetic."--Kirkus Reviews

ALA/Booklist

"A heartfelt and indeed beautiful collection for both older fans and a new generation to share."--Booklist

Publishers Weekly

Delivering on the page the same reassurance they originally imparted on the TV screen, these 75 uplifting songs elucidate the late Fred Rogers's legacy of positivity and compassion. Through recurring themes considered from various angles, the author empathically validates children's changeable emotions, urging them to articulate their feelings and to realize they are not alone. The verse is never repetitive, however. Rogers puts different spins on the importance of looking beyond appearances, for example, in the whimsical "Things Are Different" ("When I put on a costume/ To play a fancy part/ That costume changes just my looks./ It doesn't change my heart") and in the more direct "It's You I Like" ("It's you I like./ It's not the things you wear/ It's not the way you do your hair/ But it's you I like"). Tackling childhood head-on yet gently, these poems embody Rogers's signature message: "You're a beautiful, marvelous, spirited, lovely, / Wonderful one of a kind!" His on-point vocabulary, cadence, and rhyming, in concert with the universal childhood experiences the poems address, give this compilation broad accessibility and appeal. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 6-8. (Mar.)

Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"This treasure trove of gentle wisdom and playful fun, complemented by the sunny charm of Luke Flowers' illustrations...speak[s] directly to children about communicating, recognizing and dealing with emotions, and self-acceptance."—Parents' Choice Foundation

"Perfect for bedtime, sing-along, or quiet time alone, this beautifully presented volume of meaningful, inspiring, entertaining poetry is nicely illustrated by Luke Flowers, making it unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, and community library poetry collections for children ages 6-8."—Children's Bookwatch

"The collection is the perfect read for young kids as well as the millions of adults who grew up watching Mister Rogers on TV."—Paste Magazine

"The poems in this fun collection range from silly to sensitive, uplifting to energizing, always keeping kids' feelings center stage."—Common Sense Media 

"Now we can remember the charm and love presented by this cherished personality with a collection of 75 of his songs presented as poetry in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: The Poetry of Mister Rogers."—Florida Times Union Jacksonville

"Illustrator Luke Flowers' vivid, cheerful pictures enhance this collection of songs presented as poetry. It is sure to convey to children that they are loved and treasured."—The Banner

"A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood will make everybody happy."—The Bookworm Sez

"This gorgeous book is like mainlining nostalgia for a more carefree time."—The Roar Bots

"This lovely book shares 75 of his delightful songs, all illustrated with familiar characters and settings that will bring joy to those who remember the happy times they spent in his neighborhood."—Story Monsters Ink

"Mister Rogers will remind you what it means to be an educator, and what it means to be a person in this world."—EdSurge
Fred Rogers
Fred Rogers was the creator of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood as well as the host of all 895 episodes, the composer of its more than 200 songs, and the puppeteer who imagined 14 characters into being. More importantly, he changed the face of children's television and transformed the way we think about the inner lives of young children. Throughout his career, Fred Rogers was a champion of children in general and PBS in particular.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9781683691136
Lexile Measure
550
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Quirk Books
Publication date
March 19, 2019
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF042000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Poetry | General
JNF053050 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Social Topics | Emotions & Feelings
JNF039040 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Performing Arts | Television & Radio
Library of Congress categories
American poetry
Children's poetry, American
Children
A 2019 Goodreads Choice Awards Winner
2019
A Red Tricycle Best Kids Book of 2019
A Parents' Choice Gold Award winner

Subscribe to our delicious e-newsletter!