“Many Ways to Say I Love You,” by Fred Rogers was a beautiful little book filled with encouragements from a man who spent his life talking to children through his daily show on PBS, “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” This book is the many thoughts he has for their parents.

Mr. Rogers speaks of the parent’s history growing up that those childhood difficulties and insecurities may also be a part of their parenting experience. The old issues appear again with new chances to deal with them to be more whole for your child’s wholeness. Just as a child grows from the day it enters the world, the parent too grows in what it means to be a parent each new day with that child. He isn’t cramming down new rules and requirements to be a good parent, but just as he did for children for so many years, Fred is speaking to the heart of the parent with love and empathy, encouraging them not to be perfect, but to give themselves grace, not to know all the answers, but to be a learner from your child, to listen to them, to be present. These things every parent can do.

Mr. Rogers talks about the need to be yourself with your child, bring them in to your own life and your interests. You don’t need to make up a persona of yourself that you want them to be, but being yourself lets them too, be themselves.

This little book of parenting axioms and encouragements is a treasure for both the new parent and the old. It is a perfect gift for a baby shower or for a friend who is having a tough time in their parenting role. It would make for a good coffee table centerpiece too, that you revisit regularly when you are pulling your hair out as a parent.

From the days growing up watching his beautiful show, to the biographies others have shared, to the recent film about his life, the more I learn about Mr. Rogers, the more enchanted I become. This volume speaks to a different side of who Fred was and what he valued most. It is a worthwhile addition to every parent’s library.

The latest edition of this book is set to be published on September 3, 2019 by Hachette Books.

I received this eBook free of charge from Hachette Books via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I did not receive any fiscal compensation from either company for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.