The best books by Fred Rogers, our favorite neighbor

Fred Rogers was well-known and beloved as the “favorite neighbor” of all American homes. A caring figure in children’s television, Mr. Rogers accepted everyone in his neighborhood. Throughout his career, his television show continued to entertain and, more importantly, educate kids on crucial childhood and life matters.

Besides the show, Rogers also authored numerous children’s books. Let’s look at the best titles from his opus.

Who was Fred Rogers?

Fred Rogers was born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Coming from a family of music lovers, Rogers enlisted in Rollins College in Florida, where he graduated in musical composition. After graduation, he lived in New York City for a while and was an employee at NBC.

Returning to his home state, Rogers went to Pittsburgh, where he found a job at the WQED television station. There, he wrote and produced The Children’s Corner, a puppeteering show for kids.

Of course, Rogers is best known for Mister Roger’s Neighborhood, which aired on PBS. During his career on public television, Rogers created around 200 original songs that appeared in more than 1,000 episodes. The show introduced other memorable characters like the friendly Officer Clemmons.

The final episode of Mister Roger’s Neighborhood aired in 2000, and Fred Rogers passed away in 2003. Keeping with his view on children’s education and entertainment, the series would see a revival in 2012 as Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.

A movie based on Rogers’ life came out in 2019, with Tom Hanks portraying the beloved show host.

Fred Rogers’ best books

Making a selection of the best books by Fred Rogers isn’t an easy task since most of his work provided an invaluable, fun source of knowledge for kids. Here’s our selection of the absolute must-reads to include in your book list.

The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember

The World According to Mister Rogers collects stories and anecdotes about the most important things in life: friendship, love, and honesty. The material comes from Rogers’ interviews, transcripts, speeches, and other books.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: The Poetry of Mister Rogers

This poetry book contains charming illustrations by Luke Flowers. The poems are derived from the songs appearing in the original show.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor: A Mister Roger’s Poetry Book

Intended for the youngest readers, Won’t You Be My Neighbor is a board book. The book is made according to the lyrics of the show’s opening song and is illustrated by Luke Flowers.

Let’s Talk About It: Extraordinary Friends

In Extraordinary Friends, Rogers teaches kids how to become friends with special needs children. The book explains that kindness and acceptance are universal values that can overcome stereotypes and misconceptions.

It’s You I Like

Another board book on this list, It’s You I Like, is adapted from the show song of the same name. With Rogers’ unique warm, joyful tone, the book conveys that every child should be loved and cherished.

Going to the Potty

If anyone could explain the details of going to the toilet with good measure and taste, it’s Mr. Rogers. Going to the Potty does just that.

You Are Special: Neighborly Wit and Wisdom From Mister Rogers

You Are Special is another collection of wisdom from Fred Rogers, similar to The World According to Mister Rogers.

Mister Rogers Neighborhood: Henrietta Meets Someone New

Mister Rogers explains how to accept new people in our lives. By extension, the book also deals with accepting change in life.

Let’s Talk About It: Adoption

Tackling a sensitive subject in the unaffected yet warm style of Mr. Rogers, this book is intended for entire families. It provides valuable lessons about how to talk about adoption and reinforces the sense of belonging.

Let’s Talk About It: Divorce

Another book on a difficult subject, Let’s Talk About It: Divorce, guides kids to explore and share their feelings. Simultaneously, the book provides reassurance that the kids still have a loving family even if their parents are apart.

Honorable mentions

Since the previous list couldn’t encompass all of the books worth reading, here are some honorable mentions:

• Making Friends
• Many Ways to Say I Love You
• First Experiences: The New Baby
• The Mister Rogers Parenting Book Helping to Understand Your Young Child
• Mister Rogers’ Playtime
• The Giving Box: Create a Tradition of Giving with Your Children
• First Experiences: When a Pet Dies
• Fred Rogers: The Last Interview: and Other Conversations

In addition, several books about Mr. Rogers feature his kind and understanding words of wisdom, furthering his legacy:

• Peaceful Neighbor by Michel G. Long
• Kindness and Wonder by Gavin Edwards
• Everything I Need to Know I Learned from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood by Melissa Wagner
• Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood: A Visual History by Melissa Wagner
• A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: Neighborly Words of Wisdom from Mister Rogers—A movie tie-in book by Tom Junod

Find books by and about Fred Rogers on Speechify Audiobooks

If you want to listen to books by Fred Rogers, you can do just that with Speechify. As a growing audiobook service, Speechify has a vast selection of titles, including books by Mr. Rogers.

You can sign up for the service quickly, download the free app, and start listening right now, wherever you are. Plus, the first audiobook you choose is free. Visit the official Speechify website and get the best Fred Rogers audiobooks today.

FAQ

Did Fred Rogers write any books for adults?

Many of Mr. Rogers’ books can be enjoyed by both children and adults. However, Mister Rogers Talks with Parents and The Mister Rogers Parenting Book are specifically intended for grown-ups.

What reading level was Mr. Rogers?

Written primarily for children, including early readers, most of Mr. Rogers’ books are reading levels 1-8.

Why did Mr. Rogers say, “I’m feeding the fish”?

Mr. Rogers made a habit of announcing whenever he was feeding his fish due to a touching viewer request. Namely, a blind girl who was a fan of the show wrote him a letter asking Mr. Rogers to say out loud when the fish were fed because she was concerned they might be hungry. After receiving the letter, Mr. Rogers took great care to appease the worried audience member.

What is the best Mr. Rogers biography?

The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers by Maxwell King is the first biography book about Fred Rogers. This New York Times bestseller remains a valuable source, citing documents and interviews with Rogers’ contemporaries.

What was Mr. Rogers’ favorite book?

Mr. Rogers provided a list of his book recommendations, with The Little Prince taking the No. 1 spot. He noted, however, that he considers the Bible the greatest book.

What was the first book Mr. Rogers wrote?

The first title by Mr. Rogers was The Matter of the Mittens, published in 1973.

What is the most popular Mr. Rogers book?

While many of Mr. Rogers’ books are widely popular, The World According to Mister Rogers may be his most well-known title.

What is the name of the Mr. Rogers museum?

While there are several exhibits dedicated to Mr. Rogers, Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, houses the closest thing to an actual museum. The Fred Rogers Center there includes numerous original objects from the TV show. The center is located in Mr. Rogers’ birthplace.