Title: Fred Rogers: The Last Interview and Other Conversations
Book Beginnings quote: From the Introduction by David Bianculli---
Fred Rogers.Is there another name you could mention, especially in the field of popular entertainment in general and television in particular, so guaranteed to generate a wistful smile and a fond memory?
Friday56 quote: From "I've Got the Greatest Job in the World" interview with Karen Herman, pg 54---
Herman: What is television's responsibility to children?
Rogers: To give them everything that we possibly can to help them grow in healthy ways and help them to recognize that they can be angry and not have to hurt themselves or anyone else. That they can have the full range of feelings and express them in very healthy, positive ways.
Summary: This small gem is a collection of six interviews with Fred Rogers over the years, extending from the first before the Senate Subcommittee on Communications in 1969 to his last interview with Diane Rehm in 2002 before his death in 2003.
Review: I love Mr. Rogers so much and admire every aspect of his television "ministry." When my girls were little and while they watched the show I'd be sitting in the background weeping. Every message he shared with the children of his television audience was so precious and spot on. That is the way I felt about this book, a collection of his last interviews. I want to memorize everything that Mr. Rogers said and emulate him in everything I do. What a wonderful person.
I confess to laughing out loud as a tough Senator grills Rogers about the need for funds for public TV back in the late 1960s. After listening to Mr. Rogers' passionate words from one of his songs, Senator Pastore sighs and says, "Looks like you just earned the twenty million dollars. [Laughter and applause.]
What an inspiring collection of interviews and conversations.
-Anne
I had an 8th grader read a book about Mr. Rogers, and he came back and said "If you could be any famous person from history, who would you be? I would be Fred Rogers." I, too, cry frequently when thinking about his great work.
ReplyDeleteAs a South African, we have never had the luxury to have Fred Rogers on our TV screens. But at least I know who he was. The collection seems lovely and as if it's worth having it on your shelf.
ReplyDeleteHope you will have a good weekend ahead!
Elza Reads
Similar to Elza I didn't grow up with Mr. Rogers but I have grown kind of familiar with him through the internet and he seems like such an important person for children to have! Especially what he says about learning you can be angry and deal with that productively instead of hurting yourself or others is so important! I hope you have a lovely weekend and do drop by my Friday post if you have the time! - Juli @ A Universe in Words
ReplyDeleteWhat a hero! Sounds like a great book about a great man. This week I am spotlighting Amaryllis by Jayne Castle which is a "paranormal romantic suspense." Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteI would love to read this!! Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteI love Mr. Rogers, too!
ReplyDeleteMy brother was more a Mr. Rogers fan than I was growing up, although I always liked him and admire him even more now as an adult and the impact he had on kids lives. I'll have to look for this book. I hope you have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteI would like to nominate Mister Rogers for sainthood. What an inspiring person!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love those quotes you picked! Mr. Rogers was a big part of my childhood :)
ReplyDeleteI grew up on Mr. Rogers. I loved learning more about him in that documentary they a couple of years ago. I really enjoyed the movie with Tom Hanks as well. I need to read some more on him soon. Thanks for sharing. Truly an inspiring human!
ReplyDeleteFred Rogers really does seem like he was a great guy. I like that he advocated for the things he cared about and wasn't juts a "TV guy."
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