Anyone—child or adult—who has watched Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
knows there's something special about the host of that long-running series, qualities of warmth and attentiveness that translate very well into this brief yet thorough parenting guide. "Parenting is about growing. It's about our own growing as much as our children's growing," writes Rogers in the introduction, and what follows pursues that understanding. Nobody's perfect, but parents can get better at their vital job, step by step; the best way to do that, Rogers suggests, is for adults to understand their own childhoods. Divided into Everyday Experiences (Choosing Playthings, Making Friends, etc.), First Experiences (Using the Toilet, Going to the Dentist, etc.) and Special Challenges (Tragic Events in the News, Stepfamilies, etc.), the book covers most of the major areas of concern to parents of young children and emphasizes that parenting can be a source of great joy. The advice is firm, practical and kind: "Let your child know that it's okay if he or she doesn't fall asleep right away, but that it's important to stay in bed." Each chapter runs four pages and begins with an encouraging anecdote from an anonymous parent. A brief boxed story by Rogers illuminates the chapter's lesson, which concludes with "Helpful Hints"; the presentation gains a touch of whimsy from the bold blue drawings scattered throughout. Parents can, and will, trust this wise and helpful book. $25,000 ad/promo; 75,000 first printing. (Nov.)
