Library Journal Review

Fred Rogers (1928-2003) entertained children and adults for 30 years on PBS. These two excellent complementary films tell his story. It's You I Like is devoted to the shows Rogers created and his experiences with his very special guests and focuses on the public Fred Rogers through his inter-actions with children. Narrated by actor Michael Keaton (Mr. Mom), who worked as a stagehand on the show, it features a number of celebrities talking about what they learned from Rogers. Archival footage lets viewers relive visits with YoYo Ma and his son Nicholas Ma, Whoopi Goldberg, Itzhak Perlman, and at least a dozen more. This production might be more successful with public and classroom audiences that include children. Won't You Be My Neighbor? evokes Rogers's oft-repeated invitation to his neighborhood, a safe place, where children learned that they mattered and everyone was welcome. This film covers more aspects of Rogers's life, the show's backstage activities, the public's reaction to his work, and the man's influence on children's programming. It delves further into his background, as viewers hear from colleagues and family members. Also included are excerpts from episodes in which Rogers helped children react to such important issues as racism and death. VERDICT Two fine tributes to Fred Rogers, who worked to make life happy for millions of youngsters; enthusiastically recommended for public and classroom libraries, as well as college education, psychology, media studies, and sociology collections. Won't You Be My Neighbor? would be especially useful for beginning and advanced college students and teachers.--Ernest Jaeger, formerly with North Plainfield Schs., NJ © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.