In a world increasingly divided by politics and social issues, we need Mister Rogers more than ever. For three decades, his presence was a healing balm to children of all ages. And though he is no longer with us, we can all adopt his attitudes and actions as models for our own lives. In this uplifting and informative book, Dr. Anita Knight Kuhnley shows us how to use the transformative psychological principles that Mister Rogers masterfully employed to make a difference in our own neighborhoods. Principles such as - listening for discovery - validating feelings - preserving white space - expressing gratitude - exercising empathy - practicing radical acceptance - using expressions of care Imagine a world where these seven principles guide our interactions with each other. Sound heavenly? Neighborly? It all starts with you.

Nov. 14 hearing was held in Redding, Calif.; Nov. 15 hearing was held in Klamath Falls, Oreg.; Nov. 16 hearing was held in Medford, Oreg.; Nov. 17 hearing was held in Roseburg, Oreg.; Nov. 18 hearing was held in Eugene, Oreg.; Nov. 21 and 22 hearings were held in Portland, Oreg.

The experience of growing up in the U.S. is shaped by many forces. Relationships with parents and teachers are deeply personal and definitive. Social and economic contexts are broader and harder to quantify. Key individuals in public life have also had a marked impact on American childhood. These 18 new essays examine the influence of pivotal figures in the culture of 20th and 21st century childhood and child-rearing, from Benjamin Spock and Walt Disney to Ruth Handler, Barbie's inventor, and Ernest Thompson Seton, founder of the Boy Scouts of America.