A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

January 15, 2019
A collection of the lyrics to 75 songs composed by the beloved children's-television personality.Readers and listeners who've heard these words sung by their creator seem likely to be the most appreciative audience for the earnest messages, lighthearted flights of fancy, and familiar phrases found in the poems gathered here. Caregivers may wish to search out a specific song to introduce (or reinforce) a discussion about a typical childhood experience or difficulty. Poems encouraging a strong sense of self abound, as do those that reassure young children that they can manage their emotions as they continue to learn and grow. Because of the thematic emphasis on healthy development, however, this is more a resource than a collection that would invite casual browsing. Unfortunately, without the melodies, some of the poems lack obvious rhythm. And, as songs often do, some feature repeating phrases or verses. Both of these factors further weaken the book's potential appeal as a general poetry collection. Flowers' illustrations are energetic and feature characters from the iconic television show as well as vignettes of young children and spot drawings of everyday objects. The pictures tie the collection even more closely to their source and may spark some interest, but they do little to extend or expand the meaning of the text. This interesting attempt to make Mr. Rogers' wisdom broadly accessible may wind up mainly reinforcing the importance of his presence to its success. (index) (Poetry. 3-8)

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March 1, 2019
Grades K-3 Who can forget the now-iconic song, Won't You Be My Neighbor?, which started each episode of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood? Fred Rogers wasn't just the leading personality on the show; he also composed a plethora of original songs for it. This collection gathers 75 of these perennial favorites. Some, such as What Do You Do with the Mad That You Feel?, tackle how to handle anger, loneliness, sibling rivalry, and other feelings. Others, such as I Like You as You Are, celebrate friendship, love, and self-worth. But no matter the subject, Rogers' songs provide reassurance about the changes that come with growing up. The book does not include musical notation, however, so readers may wish to consult sites like www.misterrogers.org to learn the melodies and sing along. Colorful, expressive illustrations feature beloved Neighborhood characters, whimsical animals and objects, and children interacting with their world. The children also reflect the diversity Rogers strived to include on his show. A heartfelt and indeed beautiful collection for both older fans and a new generation to share.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)