Mister Rogers Familie

This encouraging, commonsensical look at the discord and joy of family life provides valuable insights into the child's world-view as well as guidance for frazzled parents. In compiling this book from their syndicated newspaper columns, the star of public television's Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and freelance writer Head use real-life situations, replete with amusing and poignant anecdotes, to teach without preaching. They evince children's feelings of ownership of their parents, for example, by telling of the three-year-old who, knowing her mother was pregnant, pointed to her mother's belly and asked, ``And who's going to be that baby's mother?'' The authors gently recognize that all parents love imperfectly and make mistakes, but don't mince words, however, where attitude changes are required: for instance, they suggest that parents who avoid discussing death with their young children reveal a need to protect themselves from their own feelings. Illustrations not seen by PW. (Nov.)