The Good Neighbor

The Life and Work of Fred Rogers

By: Maxwell King

Narrated by: LeVar Burton

Fred Rogers (1928-2003) was an enormously influential figure in the history of television and in the lives of tens of millions of children. As the creator and star of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, he was a champion of compassion, equality, and kindness. Rogers was fiercely devoted to children and to taking their fears, concerns, and questions about the world seriously.

The Good Neighbor, the first full-length biography of Fred Rogers, tells the story of this utterly unique and enduring American icon. Drawing on original interviews, oral histories, and archival documents, Maxwell King traces Rogers’s personal, professional, and artistic life through decades of work, including a surprising decision to walk away from the show to make television for adults, only to return to the neighborhood with increasingly sophisticated episodes, written in collaboration with experts on childhood development. An engaging story, rich in detail, The Good Neighbor is the definitive portrait of a beloved figure, cherished by multiple generations.

Download the accompanying reference guide.©2018 Maxwell King (P)2018 Oasis Audio

Critic reviews

"[Narrator LeVar] Burton joyfully offers rich glimpses of a man whose greatest concern was ensuring that all those he encountered knew they were important and valued. Enhanced by Burton's excellent narration, this exceptional audiobook honoring Fred Rogers is sure to encourage each listener to be a good neighbor." (AudioFile)

Just perfect.

So warm, informative, and well performed. Such a tribute and a joy. I highly recommend!

Must Read Biography

Such a wonderful read. I didn’t watch much of Mr. Rogers growing up but I feel his inspiration through this book. An amazing biography of this wonderful man.

Great for the young at heart

I first heard of The Good Neighbor at a trip to Costco. I always check their book section and I grabbed ahold of this book as quickly as a child would candy. However, having just gotten into audiobooks I decided to see who narrated it. LeVar Burton. My boyfriend and I looked at each other and I put the book down. How could I pass up the chance to hear LeVar Burton, host of Reading Rainbow read a biography on Mister. Rogers? As soon as my next Audible credit rolled around, The Good Neighbor was in my ears and it was love at first listen.

Having cried both times I saw the documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor? I was pretty sure my emotions would go through a similar roller coaster. I was right, this comprehensive biography brought on laughter, joy, sadness, and like the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, keeps the listener fully engaged.

The book was educational, refreshing, and nostalgic. It was a nice reminder that there are still kind helpers out there and I believe that many of Fred Rogers’ values still hold true today and are more relevent than ever.

The Good Neighbor is Chicken Soup for the Soul and upon LaVar Burton’s last word, I considered listening to the book over again. Like Fred Rogers, The Good Neighbor is special.

Fantastic book! He was an inspiration to us all!

Loved it! He was an inspiration to us all! I enjoyed the narration by another amazing educator!

Very Interesting

A little slow in parts but overall a great book to listen. He was a very smart man.

Beyond Excellent: Gives Hope in a Corrupt Trump World

Beyond Excellent: Gives Hope & guiding light to follow in a totally corrupt Trump World devoid of any kindness and/or integrity. The timing of the biography and movie seem prophetic.

A MUST READ OR LISTEN FOR ALL!!!!

I grew up with Mr. Roger's and as I got older became more jaded like we all do, I never believed he could be real, I always felt like there must be a different man behind the sweater or he had some horrible agenda, but the only agenda he had was love, kindness and compassion. this world we live in needs to have a little shot of Fred Rogers and wake up and love each other again. I'm a big, heavily tattooed so call it tuff guy and I cried multiple time in this book and not because of sadness, but because of how beautiful of a human being he was. please enjoy and may peace and love fill your life....Danny

A definitive biography

If you are at all interested in learning who Mr. Rogers was, then this is the book that you want to read or the audiobook do you want to listen to. While there have been several documentaries and movies, as of late, none of them are able to get into such detail about his early formative years or how they impacted the man we know as Mr. Rogers from TV.

Worth it!

Absolutely worth listening to. Felt like a kid again listening to a childhood hero read the biography of another childhood hero of mine. I cried and laughed and was just in awe of what an incredible life Fred Rogers had.

Beautiful book

This is one of those books that you can buy and give to parents and educators and just hope that they read it, and if they do it will be a service to children. Beautiful book. Must read.