Mister Rogers tells kids, ‘I like you just the way you are’

Fred’s Big Feelings: The Life and Legacy of Mister Rogers

Written by Laura Renauld and illustrated by Brigette Barrager

Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2020

It is a good time for the publication of this picture book biography, “Fred’s Big Feelings,” about Fred Rogers, host of a popular preschool children’s television show, “Mister Rogers Neighborhood,” which aired from 1968 to 2001.

A critically acclaimed movie starring Tom Hanks as Mister Rogers, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” is in theaters now. In 2018, celebrations of the fiftieth anniversary of “Mister Rogers Neighborhood” included a commemorative U.S. postage stamp and the release of a well-received documentary about Mister Rogers called “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”

Freddy Rogers was a shy boy who had trouble making friends. Bullies taunted him about his weight. Asthma kept him indoors for much of the summer, making him feel even lonelier. He stayed at home, playing with his puppets.

He found consolation in music, learning to play the piano and enjoying many hours at the keyboard.

Also, his grandfather Fred Brooks McFeely helped him feel better about himself with his message of unconditional love. “You made this day a really special day just by being yourself,” he told Freddy, “and I happen to like you just the way you are.”

In high school, Fred was kind to a popular athlete who was in the hospital with a football injury. He brought Jim his homework, and a strong friendship grew between the two of them. Jim encouraged Fred and Fred’s confidence skyrocketed and he became a leader.

When Fred saw a children’s show on his parents’ new television, he was shocked and disgusted by the endless pranks, jokes, and gags. He thought a television show for children could help them feel welcomed, loved, and special. In 1954, he would help create “The Children’s Corner” on a community-supported television station. The show was a hit.

When it went off the air, he began hosting a new show, “Mister Rogers Neighborhood” in 1968 on public television. He welcomed children with his songs, encouraged their curiosity, and honored his grandfather by naming a character after him, Mister McFeely, the Speedy Delivery man.

Mister Rogers taught preschoolers that it was OK to have feelings of shyness, playfulness, joyfulness, and even negative emotions like sadness, anger, and selfishness. But he told them there were good ways to express their emotions.

When the show was only one year old, the government threatened to cut off funding to public television. Mister Rogers went to Washington and testified in front of a Senate committee. He said he tried to teach children about how to express their emotions constructively. He sang a song he’d written for his show, “What Do You Do with the Mad that You Feel?”

A hush fell over the room and the chairman of the committee, Senator Pastore, said he’d gotten goose bumps. “Looks like you just earned the twenty million dollars,” he said.

In over three decades, Mister Rogers was a friend to his preschooler viewers. He showed them affection, compassion, and respect. His message was that it is normal to have feelings, good to talk about feelings, and important to share feelings.

The book closes with a friendly, supportive message from Mister Rogers, “You always make each day such a special day. You know how? Just by being you! There’s only one person in the whole world like you, and people like you exactly as you are.”

Barrager’s lively, cartoon-style gouache paintings bring this story to life. Sometimes she uses streams of hearts to show Mister Rogers' love and warmth toward his viewers.

About the Author

Laura Renauld also wrote “Porcupine’s Pie,” Beaming Books, 2018. She lives in northern Virginia with her husband and their two sons. Visit her online at LauraRenauld.com.

About the Illustrator

Brigette Barrager is an artist, designer, writer, and the illustrator of “Pocket Full of Colors” by Amy Gugliellmo and Jacqueline Tourville as well as the New York Times bestselling “Uni the Unicorn” by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, dog, and cat. Visit her online at BrigetteB.com.