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Rating: 
Summary: This special book should go back in print!
Review: 'You Are Special' (YAS) is a 171 page compendium of Fred Rogers' wisdom in small doses gathered from his other books, newspaper columns, speeches, songs, and television programs. YAS consists of 11 short chapters of bulleted sayings, observations, and mini-essays, ranging from 1 sentence to a 15 line paragraph. The 11 topics are: You Are Special; Relationships; Childhood; Creativity and Play; Discipline; Learning; Difficult Situations (such as death and divorce); Communicating; Parenthood; The Partnership Between Parents, Child-Care Providers, and Teachers; and Growing in Adulthood. Each chapter opens with an original Mr. Rogers song. Although this book is dedicated to children of all ages, it is primarily a book for adults who want to improve the lives of children and their own lives. Roughly 80 of the material relates to children, even factoring in the sections on relationships and adulthood.It was fascinating to read Mr. Rogers' take on various topics one typically doesn't associate with Mr. Rogers such as children swearing, sex and violence on television, and even fitness. His take on fitness is that people need to love themselves enough to motivate themselves to exercise. Just about everything I read not only rang true, but filled me with a sense of peace and comfort. A couple samples: *'There is no normal life that is free of pain. It's the very wrestling with our problems that can be the impetus for our growth.' *'We want to raise our children so that they can take a sense of pleasure in both their own heritage and the diversity of others.' In addition to his own wisdom, Mr. Rogers, who was an avid reader, quotes from other sources including his grandfather, parents he had met, poets, and even scientist/theologian, Pierre Theilhard de Chardin. Often he adds his own interpretation to the wisdom of others. I was very impressed with the depth, compassion, and in some cases, the originality of Mr. Rogers wisdom. I gained a lot from this book, even though I don't have children. However, I think parents, grandparents, and other adults who regularly interact with children will gain even more. If you can find this book, it would make an excellent gift for new parents. My only complaint is that YAS doesn't have an index, so my copy is full of bookmarks. :-)
Rating:
Summary: You'll Feel Special
Review: Fred Rogers, the guiding voice of wisdom and love for many of us as we experienced childhood, has truly written a classic with You Are Special. Mr. Rogers lends his tendencies of warmth, compassion, and a sympathetic understanding of our society and how it relates to both children and adults alike. I began reading while curled in a giant easy chair that pocketed my body; the words of Mr. Rogers and the sensation of being cradled in a secure place returned me to days when I felt completely assured of myself as well as believing that there is a simple solution to nearly everything imaginable. Upon finishing his work, I simply sat, feeling complete and satisfied. One realizes that it truly is possible to find a place in this world, be happy about it, as well as realizing that you have the equipment to alleviate even the most tedious of situations in this world: patience, kindness, and a strong sense of self-worth. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys feeling good about themselves and the life that they lead. Also, if troubled for finding the perfect gift, this could not be a better choice.
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