The Good Neighbor

by Maxwell King

[lindsey]

I watched a lot of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood when I was growing up, and I remember loving it. Mr. Rogers always had such a calming presence as he imparted knowledge to his television friends, and the show was one of my favorites. I can still vividly remember watching certain episodes.

There was even a time when I attempted to make homemade bread as a seven-year-old with absolutely no cooking experience. Mr. Rogers had shared a recipe in that day's episode, and I dutifully wrote it down. Then, with my mother's supervision, I attempted it. I had no doubts about my ability to make it because Mr. Rogers had seemed so certain that it was possible. The bread didn't turn out well, which was to be expected, but I remember not being upset about failing because I knew Mr. Rogers would have been proud of me anyway. That's how much his kindness came through, even over the television.

And today, I'm proud to say, I make excellent homemade biscuits. :)

The lessons he taught were enduring and are still relevant today, and it's awe-inspiring to know that he filmed 895 episodes and composed all of the music for the show - more than 200 songs. The puppets were his own as a child, and were an extension of him by the time he filmed Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood.

This biography, while a little long, is an excellent tribute to a kind and generous man. Beginning with his youth, it follows his life, focusing on important milestones, and then working its way up to the point when he decided to create Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. It then continues until even after his passing. It's an incredibly well-researched biography, and it worked well as an audiobook.

My main reason for listening to the audiobook instead of reading it was because it was narrated by LeVar Burton, and I'm so glad I made that decision. Mr. Burton's narration was delightful, and the nostalgia brought on by the combination of Mr. Rogers and LeVar Burton from Reading Rainbow was perfect.

Mr. Rogers is an American television icon, and he won't soon be forgotten, his legacy continuing to educate children fifty-two years after his show first aired. If you were a fan of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood growing up, or you're interested in learning more about the man behind the show, I would highly recommend this book!