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The Simple Faith of Mr. Rogers: Spiritual Insights from the World's Most Beloved Neighbor
Tom Brokaw of NBC Nightly News once said of the American icon Fred Rogers, "Mister Rogers was an ordained minister, but he never talked about God on his program. He didn't need to."
Eight years before his death, Fred Rogers met author, educator, and speaker Amy Hollingsworth. What started as a television interview turned into a wonderful friendship spanning dozens of letters detailing the driving force behind this gentle man of extraordinary influence. Educator? Philosopher? Psychologist? Minister? Here is an intimate portrait of the real Mister Rogers.
The Simple Faith of Mr. Rogers focuses on Mr. Rogers' spiritual legacy, but it is much more than that. It shows us a man who, to paraphrase the words of St. Francis of Assisi, "preached the gospel at all times; when necessary he used words."
236 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2005
About the author
Amy Hollingsworth
7 books62 followersAmy Hollingsworth is the author of the bestselling The Simple Faith of Mister Rogers and Gifts of Passage. Her new book, RUNAWAY RADICAL, coauthored by her son Jonathan, releases in February, 2015. Before writing books, Amy wrote for various magazines and was a television writer for eight years for CBN. In 2010, she was named one of USA Today’s Top 100 People for her influence on pop culture and was featured in the documentary by MTV’s Benjamin Wagner titled “Mister Rogers & Me.” Her television appearances include WGN’s Morning News, PBS’s A Word on Words, and FOX Morning News. A former psychology professor, Amy lives in Virginia with her husband and children.
You can email Amy Hollingsworth at [email protected].
You can email Amy Hollingsworth at [email protected].
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 829 reviews
February 1, 2009
I loved and still love Mister Rogers. Keep that in mind when I say that I didn't care for this book a lot. At first I was afraid that I'd become jaded and cynical, but then I realized, it's not Mister Rogers I don't like. It's the author. Here are 3 reasons that I didn't LOVE this book:
1) Amy Hollingsworth, the author, interviewed Mister Rogers twice in a professional capacity. As a result, they exchanged a few letters and phone calls. Yet she tried to make her relationship with him sound much cozier than it sounds like it really was. I felt like any number of people who knew Mr. Rogers more personally could have written a legitimately nice book about him. It just felt like for her to write it was reaching.
2) Toast Sticks: Hollingsworth introduces a story from Mister Rogers' life about toast sticks and then tries to integrate that story throughout the book, naming the gifts that Mr. Rogers gave to the world as "Toast Sticks" for the eyes, "Toast Sticks for the hands", "Toast Sticks for the heart,"...you get the idea. The story of the toast sticks didn't STICK for me (no pun intended). I was annoyed at all the toast sticks floating around through the book. It wasn't something I related to, nor really grasped. Just didn't like toast sticks.
3) If you want to write a nice book about someone, don't include all of the things that make you uncomfortable about that person. Don't quote those who mock him and ridicule him. Don't continuously bring up the fact that this open vulnerable man was a easy target to so many people. It felt mean and disrespectful for her to write about the mockery he was subjected to. We're supposed to be reading about his faith and insights. Not others' disrespect.
In summation: I did love Mister Rogers and I was happy to be reminded of what a great person he was in this book. I've been singing Mr. Rogers songs ever since I finished.
1) Amy Hollingsworth, the author, interviewed Mister Rogers twice in a professional capacity. As a result, they exchanged a few letters and phone calls. Yet she tried to make her relationship with him sound much cozier than it sounds like it really was. I felt like any number of people who knew Mr. Rogers more personally could have written a legitimately nice book about him. It just felt like for her to write it was reaching.
2) Toast Sticks: Hollingsworth introduces a story from Mister Rogers' life about toast sticks and then tries to integrate that story throughout the book, naming the gifts that Mr. Rogers gave to the world as "Toast Sticks" for the eyes, "Toast Sticks for the hands", "Toast Sticks for the heart,"...you get the idea. The story of the toast sticks didn't STICK for me (no pun intended). I was annoyed at all the toast sticks floating around through the book. It wasn't something I related to, nor really grasped. Just didn't like toast sticks.
3) If you want to write a nice book about someone, don't include all of the things that make you uncomfortable about that person. Don't quote those who mock him and ridicule him. Don't continuously bring up the fact that this open vulnerable man was a easy target to so many people. It felt mean and disrespectful for her to write about the mockery he was subjected to. We're supposed to be reading about his faith and insights. Not others' disrespect.
In summation: I did love Mister Rogers and I was happy to be reminded of what a great person he was in this book. I've been singing Mr. Rogers songs ever since I finished.
April 16, 2024
Being a Presbyterian minister who attended the same seminary as Fred Rogers (albeit many years later), I was intrigued by "The Simple Faith of Mister Rogers." When Mister Rogers passed away, I had scanned the newspapers and the internet about glimpses into his life of faith. I found little, and what I found were platitudes. All I really knew about the faith of Mister Rogers was that he took it seriously, and he was ordained in the United Presbyterian Church as an evangelist to children. Guessing that Mister Roger's faith did not fit the stereotypical protestant evangelical mold, I was even more intrigued when I discovered that the book's author, Amy Hollingsworth, worked eight years as a writer and researcher for the 700 Club.
The book is part eulogy and part devotional. It effectively plays on emotions although not in a manipulative way. Intellectual biography or systematic theology is not the intent. Don't expect it. Through the book, we take away simple lessons from the life of Fred Rogers on prayer, forgiveness, quietness, etc. In some ways, the book is really about the author as she struggles with these lessons. In fact, some of the best anecdotes are about her life, not Mister Rogers. Nonetheless, I met Mister Rogers in this book (after having met him countless times on television).
More importantly, I have a glimpse into his faith. That faith is profoundly influenced by the gospels, authors like Henri Nouwen and Madeleine L'Engle, books like the "Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, and his own studies of child development psychology. That faith is disciplined by prayer, scripture reading, the singing of hymns and times of quiet. I'm sure there are doctrinal issues with which Fred Rogers and I would disagree, but I cannot disagree with the kindness, compassion, and love of this gentle man. Someone once asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" It would be hard to do better than Mister Rogers.
The book is part eulogy and part devotional. It effectively plays on emotions although not in a manipulative way. Intellectual biography or systematic theology is not the intent. Don't expect it. Through the book, we take away simple lessons from the life of Fred Rogers on prayer, forgiveness, quietness, etc. In some ways, the book is really about the author as she struggles with these lessons. In fact, some of the best anecdotes are about her life, not Mister Rogers. Nonetheless, I met Mister Rogers in this book (after having met him countless times on television).
More importantly, I have a glimpse into his faith. That faith is profoundly influenced by the gospels, authors like Henri Nouwen and Madeleine L'Engle, books like the "Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, and his own studies of child development psychology. That faith is disciplined by prayer, scripture reading, the singing of hymns and times of quiet. I'm sure there are doctrinal issues with which Fred Rogers and I would disagree, but I cannot disagree with the kindness, compassion, and love of this gentle man. Someone once asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" It would be hard to do better than Mister Rogers.
July 21, 2019
Amazing Read
I usually don’t write book reviews, but this book left me thinking of all those, like Mr. Rogers, who played such an important part of my life.
I usually don’t write book reviews, but this book left me thinking of all those, like Mr. Rogers, who played such an important part of my life.
June 11, 2017
Ugh! Being born in 1967, I grew up watching Mr. Rogers and as a pediatric speech-language pathologist and pastor's wife have maintained my appreciation for his ministry and the way he relates to children. This book was so poorly written that I almost started to dislike Mr. Rogers until I realized that it was the author and not him that annoyed me so much.
She made a long, drawn-out metaphor about "toast sticks" throughout the whole book that was nonsensical and overworked (trust readers to get symbolism without repeatedly explaining it). As other reviewers have said, she seemed to make a professional relationship that was a bit deeper than an acquaintance -level into more than it was and wrote about herself at least as often as Fred Rogers.
The book was choppy and might have worked as a magazine feature article, but not a whole book. It also contained some "inspiration porn" ("Oh, look at these people with disabilities doing normal things, but because they are disabled I feel so 'inspired'"), which I have a knee-jerk reaction too. Here's an example of the awkward, contrived writing: "They comprised a bell choir, and their brightly colored bells, against the backdrop of their black-and-white attire, were not "just for decoration" (as are, I tell my kids, our bathroom guest towels)." What the heck?
Anyway, as of my writing, this book has 4.19 stars. I think that high rating is due to two things: (1) The natural affection most people feel for Mr. Rogers and feeling they are betraying him if they don't like the book, and (2) The fact that many Christian books and movies get highly rated by non-discriminating Christians who fear if they point out flaws that "Christian" books/movies will cease to exist, so they'll take what they can get.
Don't waste your time with this book. Just go to YouTube, watch an old episode of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, and sigh contently to yourself knowing that his show was a ministry and came from a place of deep faith.
She made a long, drawn-out metaphor about "toast sticks" throughout the whole book that was nonsensical and overworked (trust readers to get symbolism without repeatedly explaining it). As other reviewers have said, she seemed to make a professional relationship that was a bit deeper than an acquaintance -level into more than it was and wrote about herself at least as often as Fred Rogers.
The book was choppy and might have worked as a magazine feature article, but not a whole book. It also contained some "inspiration porn" ("Oh, look at these people with disabilities doing normal things, but because they are disabled I feel so 'inspired'"), which I have a knee-jerk reaction too. Here's an example of the awkward, contrived writing: "They comprised a bell choir, and their brightly colored bells, against the backdrop of their black-and-white attire, were not "just for decoration" (as are, I tell my kids, our bathroom guest towels)." What the heck?
Anyway, as of my writing, this book has 4.19 stars. I think that high rating is due to two things: (1) The natural affection most people feel for Mr. Rogers and feeling they are betraying him if they don't like the book, and (2) The fact that many Christian books and movies get highly rated by non-discriminating Christians who fear if they point out flaws that "Christian" books/movies will cease to exist, so they'll take what they can get.
Don't waste your time with this book. Just go to YouTube, watch an old episode of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, and sigh contently to yourself knowing that his show was a ministry and came from a place of deep faith.
September 23, 2018
Not having grown up in the U.S., I didn’t know much about Mr. Rogers and have never seen a complete episode of his show. We recently saw the movie about him and it brought me to tears. If you haven’t yet seen it, I highly recommend it.
This was an enjoyable and quick read with some beautiful reminders as to how to live. The author shares what she learned from her friendship with Mr. Rogers.
Some of my favorite quotes:
“If you ever fall into quicksand, the most important thing to remember is this: take your time. Quicksand, unlike water, will not move out of the way to let you pass. Instead, it resists movement. Flailing about will only cause you to sink deeper. But slowly gets you safely to shore. It’s no accident that each episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood opens with a shot of a traffic light flashing in yellow caution mode.”
“‘Now, you know prayer is asking for something, and sometimes you get a yes answer and sometimes you get a no answer,’ he carefully explained. ‘And just like anything else you might get angry when you get a no answer. But God respects your feelings, and God can take your anger as well as your happiness. So whatever you have to offer God through prayer—it seems to me—is a great gift. Because the thing God wants most of all is a relationship with you, yeah, even as a child—especially as a child. Look how Jesus loved the children who came around Him,’ he told her.”
“‘Almost everybody gets angry once in a while, and certainly I do. There are times when maybe a light will go out, you know, or the microphone will go off, or something might happen at home. But do you know what I do when I’m angry? I like to swim, and so I swim extra hard when I’m angry. And also when I was a little boy, about five years old, I learned that I could go to the piano and play real hard on the piano, and that helped me; it really did. There are many things that you can do when you’re angry that don’t hurt you or anybody else.’”
“And so, for me, being quiet and slow is being myself, and that is my gift.”
“If there’s anything that bothers me, it’s one person demeaning another. That really makes me mad!”
“There is one thing that evil cannot stand, and that’s forgiveness.”
“If parents can remember what it was like to be a child, they are going to be much more empathic with their own children.”
This was an enjoyable and quick read with some beautiful reminders as to how to live. The author shares what she learned from her friendship with Mr. Rogers.
Some of my favorite quotes:
“If you ever fall into quicksand, the most important thing to remember is this: take your time. Quicksand, unlike water, will not move out of the way to let you pass. Instead, it resists movement. Flailing about will only cause you to sink deeper. But slowly gets you safely to shore. It’s no accident that each episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood opens with a shot of a traffic light flashing in yellow caution mode.”
“‘Now, you know prayer is asking for something, and sometimes you get a yes answer and sometimes you get a no answer,’ he carefully explained. ‘And just like anything else you might get angry when you get a no answer. But God respects your feelings, and God can take your anger as well as your happiness. So whatever you have to offer God through prayer—it seems to me—is a great gift. Because the thing God wants most of all is a relationship with you, yeah, even as a child—especially as a child. Look how Jesus loved the children who came around Him,’ he told her.”
“‘Almost everybody gets angry once in a while, and certainly I do. There are times when maybe a light will go out, you know, or the microphone will go off, or something might happen at home. But do you know what I do when I’m angry? I like to swim, and so I swim extra hard when I’m angry. And also when I was a little boy, about five years old, I learned that I could go to the piano and play real hard on the piano, and that helped me; it really did. There are many things that you can do when you’re angry that don’t hurt you or anybody else.’”
“And so, for me, being quiet and slow is being myself, and that is my gift.”
“If there’s anything that bothers me, it’s one person demeaning another. That really makes me mad!”
“There is one thing that evil cannot stand, and that’s forgiveness.”
“If parents can remember what it was like to be a child, they are going to be much more empathic with their own children.”
July 15, 2015
Re-Read. This book is not very well written. The author includes too much of her own journey and too much conjecture about what Mr. Rogers believed (and too much stretching to make him more gospel-centered than he was). It seems the author wanted to prove he was a real minister, yet she didn't need to. There is nothing wrong with a believer taking a secular line of work and doing it with excellence. Evangelicals need to come out of the idea that every Christian who is ever on television has an obligation to communicate the gospel from that platform. Creating something of love and beauty is valid in its own right.
However, I keep this book and re-read it because what it does contain of Mr. Rogers' life and thought is convicting. He was a powerful example of the fruit of the Spirit. He had strong convictions regarding respect, television, and the role of emotions and he defended those positions aggressively, with nothing but the utmost gentleness. I am again challenged to have and communicate more genuine love for my neighbor.
However, I keep this book and re-read it because what it does contain of Mr. Rogers' life and thought is convicting. He was a powerful example of the fruit of the Spirit. He had strong convictions regarding respect, television, and the role of emotions and he defended those positions aggressively, with nothing but the utmost gentleness. I am again challenged to have and communicate more genuine love for my neighbor.
April 8, 2008
I never knew Fred Rogers was a man of faith much less an ordained minister. I have looked back on all those shows I watched as a child with new eyes since I read this book. It has also changed my point of view when deciding what shows to allow my children to watch. Minister Rogers was an inspiring man to so many. How fulfilling to have left such a legacy!
January 2, 2018
I loved reading the quotes and anecdotes from Mister Rogers, but I wasn't a fan of the author or her extended metaphor of "toast sticks."
July 8, 2018
I liked this book. I wish I hadn’t have listened to the prologue or conversation at the beginning of the book. I was confused at how it started and then realized it was an interview given by the author. It gave away all the best parts of the book. Mr Rogers seemed a bit weird to me growing up but as I read this I realized his purpose behind the way he played and taught. Mr Rogers was such a pure soul. It seems as if someone with that meekness would have a difficult time in this crazy world. Mr Rogers did so much good! I respect and love the difference he made in this world. I can’t believe he woke up at 5am every morning, went to bed at 9:30pm and weighed himself and swam everyday! #goals
August 20, 2018
Listened to this on audio. 5stars for Mr Rogers and the way he inspired so many and lived his life. I was challenged in many ways listening to this. I didn't love the analogy of toast sticks which started with a story from Mr. Rogers' childhood. It was overwrought and simply annoying by the end. So, 3 stars overall.
April 25, 2018
I'm not crying, you're crying.
April 2, 2020
I requested this book from the library, but I didn't get a chance to pick it up before our library system shut down during the pandemic.
Then I found an audiobook of Simple Faith at Hoopla.
Amy Hollingsworth recounts her friendship with Mister Rogers, focusing on their common commitments to spiritual vocations, developed through a series of letters written to each other.
It's another side of Mister Rogers that not many people know about. It's a rich and deep faith that Hollingsworth describes, and it is also a simple one.
I loved the story Mister Rogers shared with Amy about the time he was convicted of a need to stop judging others. He attended a church service with a friend. The preacher, Rogers thought, was loud and trite and did a terrible job. Then he turned to his friend and saw she was crying. "He knew just what I needed today," his friend said.
This book added to my love of Mister Rogers. I may nominate Mister Rogers for sainthood.
Then I found an audiobook of Simple Faith at Hoopla.
Amy Hollingsworth recounts her friendship with Mister Rogers, focusing on their common commitments to spiritual vocations, developed through a series of letters written to each other.
It's another side of Mister Rogers that not many people know about. It's a rich and deep faith that Hollingsworth describes, and it is also a simple one.
I loved the story Mister Rogers shared with Amy about the time he was convicted of a need to stop judging others. He attended a church service with a friend. The preacher, Rogers thought, was loud and trite and did a terrible job. Then he turned to his friend and saw she was crying. "He knew just what I needed today," his friend said.
This book added to my love of Mister Rogers. I may nominate Mister Rogers for sainthood.
September 11, 2023
This quick read on audio had me in tears. I absolutely loved Mr. Rogers, having spent much time watching him with my daughter. His devotion to the good of others was a beautiful thing. This lovely little book includes many stories about how Fred Rogers lived out his faith.
Won’t you be my neighbor?
Won’t you be my neighbor?
October 7, 2019
I don't often read biographies but then I've always been curious about Mr Rogers. Who hasn't? My daughter used to watch him every morning in her preschool years. What a gentle man and so kind a personality. What makes Mr Rogers tick I wondered. I would notice all the biography books written about him and thought one of these days I want to read one of them. I finally did .
What I learned about Mr. Rogers I never knew before:
As a boy in school my Rogers was overweight and as a result he was bullied by his class mates.
Mr Rogers was an ordained minister who answered God's call to work with Children.
Mr Rogers believed in living his faith.
Mr Rogers' goal was to make people feel good about themselves. Not just children but adults too. Many young adults have fond memories of watching his show.
Mr. Rogers thought children that it was okay to get angry but to channel their anger in good ways. Mr. Rogers got angry but when he did he would play his piano. Maybe a little louder than he normally did.
What I feel I gained by reading this book.
Mr Rogers hosted a children's show on tv. Being a Christian he wanted to teach the Children the things Jesus taught us in the Bible, by his actions as he hosted his show. He taught them about love and treating others with kindness. Taught them to always try to make others feel good about themselves. Maybe they were from a broken home or other situations that made them sad. Mr. Rogers had a caring heart. He wanted to set examples for the Children while they were young. Before life had hardened them. He might not have been able to teach them from the Bible on public television but he acted out what he was taught from God's word in his shows in order that the Children might learn better values in life and learn how to better relate to their friends.
How the book spoke to me:
I have always found it hard to reach out in love to others as I should. God seemed to be telling me through this book that as a Christian I can love others through God. Trust Him that through the power of the Holy Spirit I can grow in love and then that love will shed its light to people around me.
Every once in a while I think it's good for readers to step out of their genres to read something different. I think this book has been a help to me in that God seemed to be speaking to me through the lines of print. It never hurts to try a different book than what you're used to . I always walk away feeling enriched by what I've learned when I try something different. Try it sometime. Maybe try what I did. Take that book and read it as you read something else. Maybe read a chapter in the morning after devotions.
I downloaded a Kindle ebook version from Amazon Prime reading library. A favorable review was not requested. All opinions expressed here are my own.
What I learned about Mr. Rogers I never knew before:
As a boy in school my Rogers was overweight and as a result he was bullied by his class mates.
Mr Rogers was an ordained minister who answered God's call to work with Children.
Mr Rogers believed in living his faith.
Mr Rogers' goal was to make people feel good about themselves. Not just children but adults too. Many young adults have fond memories of watching his show.
Mr. Rogers thought children that it was okay to get angry but to channel their anger in good ways. Mr. Rogers got angry but when he did he would play his piano. Maybe a little louder than he normally did.
What I feel I gained by reading this book.
Mr Rogers hosted a children's show on tv. Being a Christian he wanted to teach the Children the things Jesus taught us in the Bible, by his actions as he hosted his show. He taught them about love and treating others with kindness. Taught them to always try to make others feel good about themselves. Maybe they were from a broken home or other situations that made them sad. Mr. Rogers had a caring heart. He wanted to set examples for the Children while they were young. Before life had hardened them. He might not have been able to teach them from the Bible on public television but he acted out what he was taught from God's word in his shows in order that the Children might learn better values in life and learn how to better relate to their friends.
How the book spoke to me:
I have always found it hard to reach out in love to others as I should. God seemed to be telling me through this book that as a Christian I can love others through God. Trust Him that through the power of the Holy Spirit I can grow in love and then that love will shed its light to people around me.
Every once in a while I think it's good for readers to step out of their genres to read something different. I think this book has been a help to me in that God seemed to be speaking to me through the lines of print. It never hurts to try a different book than what you're used to . I always walk away feeling enriched by what I've learned when I try something different. Try it sometime. Maybe try what I did. Take that book and read it as you read something else. Maybe read a chapter in the morning after devotions.
I downloaded a Kindle ebook version from Amazon Prime reading library. A favorable review was not requested. All opinions expressed here are my own.
April 25, 2022
This book is filled with precious gold. Amy Hollingsworth was a personal friend of Fred Rogers. In this book, she pulls spiritual insights from their correspondence through letters over the years. I had to take notes on this book because of the rich truths and inspiring stories presented throughout. This is a must read!
January 7, 2019
Recently I read a review of the books that a Goodreads’ friend had completed this last year. She commented, “The books chose me.”
I would like to claim that about the bookThe Simple Faith of Mister Rogers: Spiritual Insights from the World's Most Beloved Neighbor; however, this particular book on Fred Rogers is a book club pick for me this month. I was eager to read it because I had already purchased a book on his life. What a great beginning this was to my reading experiences for this year.
This is a book about relationships – relationships with one other and our personal relationship with God. Woven intermittently with insights about Mr. Rogers were personal stories and insights shared by the author, Amy Hollingsworth. Using an effective but somewhat overused metaphor of “toast sticks” which were literally long vertical pieces of toast offered to Fred as a young man by a caring elderly neighbor, Amy “sliced” the book into various parts. The “toast sticks” are: “looking inward with our hearts (inner disciplines affect how we see others), looking outward with our eyes (how we see others affects how we treat others), and using what we have learned practically with our hands.” The metaphor worked. This was a book about feeding our souls and spirits.
I admit, Mr. Rogers Neighborhood was a large part of my parenting era. Our oldest son was born in 1968 which is when the television broadcast started here in America. Yes, I could sing the songs with the children, and I always felt good about the time they spent watching this program. We limited television viewing when they were young, so this was a carefully chosen half hour block of time. They were gently led to learn about sharing and anger and how to express feelings. To say that the show was wholesome is an understatement. Puppets talked in a magic land and problems were solved.
When the current movie on Mister Rogers came out in theaters, I encouraged a friend to see it with me. “Really” she commented. “Yes”, I replied. She wasn’t sorry. I had watched a short piece on the internet recapping when Fred Rogers appeared before the U.S. Senate Sub-committee on Communications in 1969. A twenty-million-dollar grant was hanging in the balance. At this time his program had only been aired nationally for one year. He was basically an unknown appearing before Senator John Pastore, a democrat noted for being brusque and having an unyielding nature. I was totally enamored and captivated by Fred Rogers spirit, conviction and incredible skills as he spoke with Senator Pastore. Besides listening to what Fred Rogers had to say, I watched him convincingly soften a heart. It was magical. Mr. Rogers asked if he could just speak for a few minutes. He trusted the Senator to read his documented text.
He began, “This is what I give. I give an expression of care every day to each child, to help him realize that he is unique. I end the program by saying, ‘You’ve made this day a special day by just your being you. There’s no person in the world like you, and I like you just the way you are.’ I feel that we in public television can only make it clear that feelings are mentionable and manageable, we will have done a great service.” Fred then shared the words to a song he had written, “What Do You Do (with the Mad That You Feel)?” He concluded the song with the lyric “(You can) know that there’s something deep inside that helps us become what we can.”
Visibly moved, Senator Pastore awarded the twenty million dollars!
Fred Rogers firmly believed that the space between the television set and the viewer is holy ground. He honored children, respect, honesty, silence, growth, understanding, listening, friendship, love…and relationships. Fred once told Tom Junod, a writer who was doing an article on him for Esquire magazine, that, “The connections we make in the course of a life, maybe that’s what heaven is, Tom. We make so many connections here on earth.”
He definitely made a relationship with the author of this book, Amy Hollingsworth. They corresponded for eight years following her first interview and she considered him a second father. Her love and respect for him radiates throughout the book.
Fred Rogers was greatly influenced by Henri Nouwen and Frederick Buechner, both authors to whom I have been introduced by special Goodreads friends. I feel inspired to return to the works of both of these influential men.
I highly recommend this fast read. I savored it. I came away grateful that our children were exposed to such a fine individual and grateful that I can reflect on the importance of silence, slowing down, neighbors and what it means to be a “good neighbor”. Personally, I strive to be more like this exemplary, gentle man as I continue on my personal quest to deepen all of my relationships, especially heeding the influence of God in my life. I am grateful for the influence of this fine man on generations of television viewers and those with whom he came in contact. Yes, I want to be more like him.
I would like to claim that about the bookThe Simple Faith of Mister Rogers: Spiritual Insights from the World's Most Beloved Neighbor; however, this particular book on Fred Rogers is a book club pick for me this month. I was eager to read it because I had already purchased a book on his life. What a great beginning this was to my reading experiences for this year.
This is a book about relationships – relationships with one other and our personal relationship with God. Woven intermittently with insights about Mr. Rogers were personal stories and insights shared by the author, Amy Hollingsworth. Using an effective but somewhat overused metaphor of “toast sticks” which were literally long vertical pieces of toast offered to Fred as a young man by a caring elderly neighbor, Amy “sliced” the book into various parts. The “toast sticks” are: “looking inward with our hearts (inner disciplines affect how we see others), looking outward with our eyes (how we see others affects how we treat others), and using what we have learned practically with our hands.” The metaphor worked. This was a book about feeding our souls and spirits.
I admit, Mr. Rogers Neighborhood was a large part of my parenting era. Our oldest son was born in 1968 which is when the television broadcast started here in America. Yes, I could sing the songs with the children, and I always felt good about the time they spent watching this program. We limited television viewing when they were young, so this was a carefully chosen half hour block of time. They were gently led to learn about sharing and anger and how to express feelings. To say that the show was wholesome is an understatement. Puppets talked in a magic land and problems were solved.
When the current movie on Mister Rogers came out in theaters, I encouraged a friend to see it with me. “Really” she commented. “Yes”, I replied. She wasn’t sorry. I had watched a short piece on the internet recapping when Fred Rogers appeared before the U.S. Senate Sub-committee on Communications in 1969. A twenty-million-dollar grant was hanging in the balance. At this time his program had only been aired nationally for one year. He was basically an unknown appearing before Senator John Pastore, a democrat noted for being brusque and having an unyielding nature. I was totally enamored and captivated by Fred Rogers spirit, conviction and incredible skills as he spoke with Senator Pastore. Besides listening to what Fred Rogers had to say, I watched him convincingly soften a heart. It was magical. Mr. Rogers asked if he could just speak for a few minutes. He trusted the Senator to read his documented text.
He began, “This is what I give. I give an expression of care every day to each child, to help him realize that he is unique. I end the program by saying, ‘You’ve made this day a special day by just your being you. There’s no person in the world like you, and I like you just the way you are.’ I feel that we in public television can only make it clear that feelings are mentionable and manageable, we will have done a great service.” Fred then shared the words to a song he had written, “What Do You Do (with the Mad That You Feel)?” He concluded the song with the lyric “(You can) know that there’s something deep inside that helps us become what we can.”
Visibly moved, Senator Pastore awarded the twenty million dollars!
Fred Rogers firmly believed that the space between the television set and the viewer is holy ground. He honored children, respect, honesty, silence, growth, understanding, listening, friendship, love…and relationships. Fred once told Tom Junod, a writer who was doing an article on him for Esquire magazine, that, “The connections we make in the course of a life, maybe that’s what heaven is, Tom. We make so many connections here on earth.”
He definitely made a relationship with the author of this book, Amy Hollingsworth. They corresponded for eight years following her first interview and she considered him a second father. Her love and respect for him radiates throughout the book.
Fred Rogers was greatly influenced by Henri Nouwen and Frederick Buechner, both authors to whom I have been introduced by special Goodreads friends. I feel inspired to return to the works of both of these influential men.
I highly recommend this fast read. I savored it. I came away grateful that our children were exposed to such a fine individual and grateful that I can reflect on the importance of silence, slowing down, neighbors and what it means to be a “good neighbor”. Personally, I strive to be more like this exemplary, gentle man as I continue on my personal quest to deepen all of my relationships, especially heeding the influence of God in my life. I am grateful for the influence of this fine man on generations of television viewers and those with whom he came in contact. Yes, I want to be more like him.
December 27, 2022
"When your heart can cry another's sadness, then your heart is full of love."
What can I say about Mr. Rogers that hasn't been said already? Except this book shines a brighter light and a clearer picture on a soul so filled with love for others he truly understood what St. Francis of Assisi meant when he said, "Preach the gospel at all times. If necessary, use words."
Amy Hollingsworth shares her personal and moving relationship with Mr. Fred Rogers, sharing vulnerable, insightful, not necessarily well known truths about this quiet, peaceful, unassuming man.
My eyes teared up so many times.
One of my cherished pictures in my room has whom I lovingly refer to as the Holy Trinity, Mr. Rogers, Steve Irwin, and Bob Ross. Mr. Rogers lived his life teaching us to love others. Steve Irwin lived his life teaching us to love the planet and the animals we share it with, and Bob Ross lived his life teaching us to love ourselves.
I am STILL learning from Mr. Rogers, even at almost 49 years old, what to do with the mad that I feel, how to forgive, and what it means to be a goid neighbor.
I firmly believe that any one who has contact with any other person in any way should take the day or two needed to sit down, and read this book. And slow down. And spend some time with Mr. Rogers in His Neighborhood.
What can I say about Mr. Rogers that hasn't been said already? Except this book shines a brighter light and a clearer picture on a soul so filled with love for others he truly understood what St. Francis of Assisi meant when he said, "Preach the gospel at all times. If necessary, use words."
Amy Hollingsworth shares her personal and moving relationship with Mr. Fred Rogers, sharing vulnerable, insightful, not necessarily well known truths about this quiet, peaceful, unassuming man.
My eyes teared up so many times.
One of my cherished pictures in my room has whom I lovingly refer to as the Holy Trinity, Mr. Rogers, Steve Irwin, and Bob Ross. Mr. Rogers lived his life teaching us to love others. Steve Irwin lived his life teaching us to love the planet and the animals we share it with, and Bob Ross lived his life teaching us to love ourselves.
I am STILL learning from Mr. Rogers, even at almost 49 years old, what to do with the mad that I feel, how to forgive, and what it means to be a goid neighbor.
I firmly believe that any one who has contact with any other person in any way should take the day or two needed to sit down, and read this book. And slow down. And spend some time with Mr. Rogers in His Neighborhood.
December 27, 2021
Loved it so much.
September 1, 2018
It was great to hear Mr. Rogers’ “back story”! What an important figure of my childhood that I feel is missing in children’s TV today. I mourned when Mr. Rogers died, as I felt he was like a dear uncle or grandfather.
January 13, 2019
Listening to this in the car while driving to Redlands Hospital to see my sister. It is the perfect audio for right now and really calms my spirit and racing thoughts. So glad I got to watch Mr. Rogers when I was a kid but I wish I would have let my children watch it more. I think they only saw 1 or 2 programs. Thinking of putting it on while my sister is at my house on hospice...krb 1/6/19
August 23, 2022
I wanted to like this book more. I love Mister Rogers, so I wanted to like it for him. I just didn’t enjoy the way it was written. I also went in thinking this was more about Mister Rogers, and less about the author.
April 6, 2023
What an inspiring man. It was interesting to see Fred Rogers through the authors eyes and interactions over the years. Sometimes, she focused more on her stories than about him and while intersting, it wasn't really why I had chosen to read the book.
February 13, 2012
I miss Mister Rogers.
September 5, 2018
Excellent. I listened to this via Hoopla and really enjoyed it. It was all I wanted it to be. More to follow.
August 20, 2018
3 - 3.5 Stars. This is a spiritual biography about Mr. Rogers' Christian faith, but you don't need to be a Christian to enjoy and appreciate the stories the author shares. Just like Mr. Rogers, the author does not bash the reader over the head with religion, but lets his faith story unfold naturally. Overall, reading this felt like one big hug from my favorite neighbor, which I absolutely loved.
The reason I didn't give this a higher rating was I felt the organization was choppy. The author seemed to jump around quite a bit and it was confusing. The "toast stick" theme she started with kind of faded as the book went on and just didn't feel cohesive.
The reason I didn't give this a higher rating was I felt the organization was choppy. The author seemed to jump around quite a bit and it was confusing. The "toast stick" theme she started with kind of faded as the book went on and just didn't feel cohesive.
April 5, 2022
Oh my. I loved this little book about Mister Rogers and how he exemplified this quote from Saint Francis of Assissi: “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary." I loved the emphasis on allowing all people to feel their feelings. No feeling is “bad” or “off limits”. But, there are appropriate ways to act on those feelings. The idea of heart, eyes and hands. It has given me a lot to think about and talk about. Definitely recommend.
September 29, 2021
I read this all in one gulp yesterday and spent a good part of the day in tears as a result. I just love this man and all he has done for so many people.
September 3, 2019
Kind of feel like this should be required reading for all new parents. The world needs more people like Mister Rogers. See full review at: http://mandigrasmeyer.com/book-review...
April 1, 2021
To love your neighbor as yourself. The life of Fred Rogers exemplified this both on and off screen, and through this beautiful book, we are reminded of what that love looks like in our every day lives. Growing up, I adored Mister Rogers, and have so many fond memories of taking a trip to the neighborhood. Reading this book felt like another trip to the neighborhood, where we are reminded that "how we see ourselves affects how we see others" and that it is so important to "see the face of God in one another." To be a neighbor is to show up for one another in both beautiful times and seasons of loss. Highly recommend this book! I read it in one sitting as I couldn't put the book down. It is definitely a book that I will return to time and time again.
December 11, 2022
Fred Rogers is a modern-day saint, and my personal hero.
Like the author and many other mothers, I too came to love Mr Rogers when my children were small. I would put Mr Rogers on the TV with the intention of having a half hour to do household chores or cook a meal, only to end up glued to the TV along with my toddler. After a while, I simply made time in the late mornings to watch Mr Roger's Neighborhood. It was the highlight of my day.
These stories seem to keep coming from people who met him and went on their way, only to discover that once you met Fred, he was going to be your friend forever. What a role-model for our children, and especially for us adults.
Like the author and many other mothers, I too came to love Mr Rogers when my children were small. I would put Mr Rogers on the TV with the intention of having a half hour to do household chores or cook a meal, only to end up glued to the TV along with my toddler. After a while, I simply made time in the late mornings to watch Mr Roger's Neighborhood. It was the highlight of my day.
These stories seem to keep coming from people who met him and went on their way, only to discover that once you met Fred, he was going to be your friend forever. What a role-model for our children, and especially for us adults.
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