Fred Rogers' response: 

Dear Katie:

I can understand there can be lots of feelings about a younger brother,
and I wonder how you feel about the times when your brother copies what you do.
You might feel proud about that, but you might not like the way he copies you all the time.

Katie, copying what others do is one way children learn. You are important to your brother.
That's why he wants to do the things you do. He wants to learn from you.

You might want to talk with your brother and with the grown-ups in your family about how you feel
when he copies what you do. It often helps to talk about your feelings so that other people
can know how you feel.

________________________________________

Fred Rogers’ “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?" song was an invitation – an invitation to be close. To share thoughts and feelings. To talk about things that matter. That’s what he did for more than forty years on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. And in response to that invitation, we received many, many letters over the years. As Fred said ” … to me (it was) a way people have of saying, ‘Yes, I will be your neighbor…and here’s something I’d like to tell you that matters to me.”

The first thing he worked on when he came into the office each day was the viewer mail, and he gave his personal attention to every letter.

 We hope you’ll find the letters and responses enlightening and informative – and even funny or touching.  You may want to forward them on to others who might learn from them as well. 

Read last month's letter.

Neighborhood News  | Subscribe | Tell a Friend | Get our Free e-Calendar | Family Communications home |  Gift Shop