By Shauna Scott Rhone
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Millions of parents and their children have been his "neighbors" for more than three decades. His daily morality tales have enchanted and entertained generations on public television stations across the country.

Rogers

America's neighbor, "Mister" Fred Rogers, aired his last show from the neighborhood last year. But reruns continue to beam the 74-year-old Presbyterian minister's words of love and learning to young minds. Locally, the show is aired at 10 a.m. weekdays on WPTD (Channel 16), at noon weekdays on WCVN (Channel 54) and 6:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays on WCET (Channel 48.)

Far from hanging up his trademark sweater, Mister Rogers continues his work shaping young minds at his Pittsburgh-based nonprofit organization, Family Communications (www.fci.org). The company teaches parenting skills for families and the people who work with them.

Last year, he wrote Mister Rogers Playtime (Running Press; $12.95) to help parents and their children connect through play. In his new book released last month, The Mister Rogers Parenting Book (Running Press; $12.95) he offers anecdotes and answers on ways parents can help their little people (ages 2-6) discover the world.

We spoke with Fred Rogers by phone about his new book and what parents can learn from their children.

Question: Is the new book a result of what you learned while helping parents to raise generations of children?

Answer: I like the idea that we have tried to help parents know that there is no perfect child, there is no perfect parent, but there are human beings who are doing their best to grow with each other. No matter who we are, it's important to know that our own story is important. Not just for mothers and fathers, but also for baby sitters and grandparents and child-care workers. We did the Playtime book to encourage kids and their parents to grow and learn and enjoy.

Q: How did you choose the sections for the book?

A: The people I work with here (at Family Communications) got together and asked, "What are some of the most important challenges in parenting?" While they might not seem obvious at first, we came up with things like mealtime and sibling rivalry, making friends and having pets, dealing with disabilities and toilet training, going to the doctor and the dentist, adopting a child or introducing a new child in the family, separation and divorce and dealing with tragic events in the news.

We made public service announcements after 9-11 to children to help them understand it would be OK. We got a tremendous response to it.

This book sort of runs the gamut. I wanted to reach out my hand through this book and hold the hand of a parent. Now that I'm a grandparent (of two, with one on the way), I'm aware that many parents today grew up in the neighborhood. I just want to give them a hug, through the book, and tell them, "I'm right next to you and I'm still here for you." It's all a part of being a part of the neighborhood we live in. I feel blessed to be able to share it with them.

Q: Children have so much energy these days. How should parents handle a free-spirited child?

A: It's very helpful to give children limits. If we don't, they think we don't love them. We have a mad feelings workshop and a challenging child workshop at the center for child-care professionals and parents. We're about doing the best we know how to send information to today's parents.

Q: What can parents learn from children?

A: We can learn that we never have to give up who we've been or the fact that we can always continue to grow. I've learned so much from my children and grandchildren, that they have taught me to be grateful beyond measure. They helped me to be in touch with the person I've always been. They allowed me to revisit my childhood and grow right along with them.

E-mail srhone@enquirer.com