Starting September 12th, 26 favorite episodes of MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD will be a part of the national PBS KIDS® Saturday morning lineup (check local listings). These specially-selected programs include many all-time viewer favorites. While the program will no longer be available on a weekday basis, the weekend schedule ensures that MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD will continue to be available for today’s children. 

This season’s episodes include the highly popular visit to the crayon factory, an appearance by world-class cellist Yo Yo Ma, a visit to a pediatrician’s office, a field trip to see penguins, and two whimsical Neighborhood operas.  Other highlights include:

• Visits with world-famous artists Wynton Marsalis, The Dance Theater of Harlem, the performers of STOMP, author-illustrator Eric Carle (best known for The Hungry Caterpillar), and beloved folksinger Ella Jenkins
• Videos showing how people make everyday things like crayons,  construction paper, erasers, flashlights, macaroni, and zippers
• A ride on a school bus and field trips to a recycling center and the zoo  
• Two operas, “Windstorm in Bubbleland” and “Spoon Mountain”
• Songs, make-believe stories and conversations about dealing with anger, frustration, making mistakes and handling even the most difficult feelings surrounding divorce
• Many ways to express love, including using words and being helpful and kind.

As we start our 42nd year on PBS KIDS, we continue to hear from people of all ages telling us that MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD has made a lasting impact on their lives. Fred Rogers’ work emphasizing kindness, civility and reassurance has inspired many to strive towards being the best person they can be. 

There’s other news coming this fall, ranging from streaming MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD on pbskids.org to new MISTER ROGERS iPhone applications.  We’ll have more information in a future issue of this newsletter about this but for starters, we wanted to make you aware of the new Saturday morning feed for MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD.