Cover Image: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Mr. Rogers' mission was to teach children new things about the world and about themselves. Although episodes of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" can be found on DVD and through streaming video, children don't have the opportunity to see Mr. Rogers on a regular schedules the way that previous generations did. By putting all of Mr. Rogers' best-loved and well-known songs and poems in one collection, "A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood" continues his lifelong mission of helping children.

While poetry critics may find some of the poems clunky or awkward, the poems deliver their messages about self-esteem, positive regard, and feelings to the intended audience. It's easy to forget that Mr. Rogers found ways to tackle tough topics with children. The poems cover everything from dealing with anger and loneliness to the age-old fear of going down the drain with the bathwater. Older readers who grew up with Mr. Rogers are likely to find this book a useful tool in having those tough conversations with their children while they rediscover old favorites like "It's You I Like" and old treasures that weren't quite as well-known but still carry a powerful message, like "Good People Sometimes Do Bad Things." Overall, this is a wonderful book that kids and parents will find interesting and helpful.

Was this review helpful?

Gorgeous illustrations, but I suspect that it would ultimately function better as an audio with music set to these lyrics, as Rogers intended them to be.

Was this review helpful?

Truly nostalgic!

Just looking at the cover took me back to childhood. Mister Rogers' Neighborhood was one of my favorite shows as a child. Something that I ALWAYS looked forward to watching. Not gonna lie: I had the show's theme song stuck in my head long after I was done reading this.

Fred Rogers was truly a one of kind person. One who brought so much joy to many of us. Also having a major impact on our childhoods, and who we are as human beings.

This is one book I will be heavily recommending to friends and family. ( Whether or not they have kids. 😊 )

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood by Fred Rogers. This was a cute picture book that took me straight back to my childhood.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you publishers and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy.

I love Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. His show was such a huge part of my childhood. It has been wonderful to share his kindness with my kids through Daniel Tiger's Neighboorhood.

This book is so sing-song lovely!! His poems are so true to the emotions of childhood. As a teacher, I am excited to share these poems with them.

Was this review helpful?

A sweet, fun trip down memory lane. There are a lot of songs in this collection, many of them I don't remember, but they read well as poems for the most part. The illustrations are bright and colorful, reminiscent of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. Parents will enjoy the nostalgia, children will enjoy the message of the poems- that they are loved no matter what, just the way they are.

Was this review helpful?

I never watched Mr. Rogers and I was not familiar with most of the songs. I did enjoy reading through them, but unless you have seen or heard them before there was not a way to hear how they sounded. I would have liked more background on when the songs were used and how they were used on the show. It was an interesting read, but not very entertaining for me.

Was this review helpful?

What a nice nostalgic collection of Mr. Roger's songs. I think that a lot of people would definitely enjoy taking a trip down memory lane with this book.

Was this review helpful?

This is a charming little collection, but I admit it does bother me a bit that these are SONGS, not poems. It doesn't come with the music, and doesn't really give much indication that they were written to be sung, not read. I am very happy to see more of Fred Rogers' work being published, but I do feel it takes something away from them to not set them to his music.

Was this review helpful?

This is a great children’s book that evokes nostalgia for longtime viewers and fans of Fred Rogers’ programs. Even those who are unfamiliar with Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood are in for a treat as they dive in to complex topics like identity, familial relationships, self-esteem, world-view, nature, etc in a winsome and child-centric way. The illustrations are stunning and the poetry very well written. I would highly recommend to educators and parents alike. If you are seeking to build understanding and empathy in your students/children, this book is a great, unitimidating way to do so!

Was this review helpful?

Fans of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood will love this collection of song lyrics from the show. Fred Rogers wrote many of them, although Josie Carey contributed lyrics for several. Fred Rogers earned a degree in music composition and lent his skills to the accompanying music, which is not included in this collection focusing on the lyrics. The art work by Luke Flowers seems to fit the lyrics although the illustrations reflect the twenty-first century rather than the era of the show. For example, one illustration shows a modern flat screen computer monitor in a doctor's office. As I read the book and looked at the accompanying illustrations, I often thought, "We need Mister Rogers' influence on today's children." I received an electronic copy from the publisher through NetGalley with expectation of an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I always loved this show on tv and I love that there is a book out. I recommend it to anyone who has children or grandchildren. The truth is that even adults could benefit from this book. Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy to read.

Was this review helpful?

Heartfelt poetry and lyrics from Mister (Fred) Rogers. This book will provide a basis for many hours of discussion with your children, family, or class. Fred Rogers masterfully leads us through the awareness and development of the social conscience and caring about ourselves and others. This is a must-read and must-have for every family with children ages 2-10. Parents and teachers NEED this.

Was this review helpful?

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quirk Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are 100% my own and independent of receiving an advance copy.

No matter what neighbourhood you live in, you are bound to have heard of Mr. Rogers. Fred Rogers was an incredible man, musician, puppeteer, writer, composer and children’s educator that was most famous for his television show Mister Rogers’ Neighbourhood. He revolutionized the way children’s shows reached children. He didn’t believe in turning into a different character but being realistic and speaking to children as your authentic self. He tackled many difficult subjects like racism, divorce and children with disabilities. He wrote hundreds of songs and created a whole land of make believe.

This book takes the lyrics to many of his most recognizable songs and turns them into poems, with illustrations by Luke Flowers, reminding us of Mr. Rogers’ ability to find the beauty in the most simple things. At the back there is an index of subjects that the songs/poems deal with like manners, friendship, and positivity. Some of them are so familiar I could hear the tune as I read them. Others just take you back to feeling you had when you watched him. He was a friend, a confidant, someone who knew all sides of you, the silly side, the angry, sad, and happy side. This book will introduce him to a whole new audience. It’s a timeless keepsake that you could read to your children and your grandchildren.

Was this review helpful?

This is a definite read for any fan of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. It's a book of poetry (songs). The illustrations are delightful. They show regular kids of all nationalities as well as characters from the Neighborhood. Daniel Tiger, King Friday, Lady Aberlin, Lady Elaine... Oh and Mister Rogers himself puts in an appearance!

This book includes his famous songs, like "What Do You Do With the Mad that You Feel", "Many Ways to Say I Love You", and "It's You I Like". Others that I personally really enjoyed were: "Fences" and "Can You Hear".

This would make for a nice, calm bedtime read. (I didn't count them all, but there have got to be close to 75 poems in this book!)

**I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Was this review helpful?

This darling book would be a great addition to anyone's library, young or old. While reading through the poems and lyrics, I could imagine Mr. Rogers voice reading them to me. The illustrations are perfect, giving a feeling of whimsy as you read along, as well as something for children to observe while being read to. This is a lovely book and honors Mr. Rogers belief about children and the world.

Was this review helpful?

The illustrations and collected poems in this book were lovely. Mr. Rodgers had a heart of gold, and I loved him as a child. He was an ordained Presbyterian minister, so his love of children was a natural outpouring of his faith. I have been watching a documentary about Mr. Rodgers as I browsed through these poems. This book is a gem. The only criticism that I have is that the font is on the boring side, especially when compared with the pictures. There could have been more creativity in the font type, word designs, and letter size. I do wish I had a physical copy of the book because it really is one that is meant to be held in your hands for nostalgia.

Was this review helpful?

This is just so so pure. There are few instances that feel dated (like the poem I’d Like to Be Like Mom and Dad- “And Mommy likes the things he does/The way he looks, and gee!”) but most of these poems still feel very appropriate. Some are just fun and silly but many tell important messages like how it’s ok to be angry or have bad feelings or to have a day when you need extra hugs. And I love the illustrations. They’re modern but very much evoke the warmth of the television show. My nostalgia may be speaking for me, but I loved this.

Was this review helpful?

Love Mr. Rogers and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. Will definitely purchase for my library. Great book to gift.

Was this review helpful?

This was a cute book with songs and poems written by Rogers himself, some of which are noted as having been used on the television program! These poems are all so sweet and wholesome, they made me feel so happy on a day where things weren't really going in my favor. The book as a whole brings back so many nostalgic feelings and memories of watching the show at my grandmother's house every morning during the summers... I just loved it! It may be something I consider purchasing for my younger nieces and nephew.

Was this review helpful?