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.
