Revisiting Mister Rogers' Neighborhood: Essays on Lessons of Self and Community

During its 33-season run, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood (1968-2001) left an indelible mark on millions of children and their caregivers. Perhaps no series in the history of children's television has done more to develop the identity and ethics of the child. More than a decade after Fred Rogers' death, he continues to attract an audience online. Yet despite the show's lasting impact it has been largely ignored by scholars.

This collection of new essays focuses on Rogers' contributions to children's lives, to the media and to American culture at large. The contributors discuss his stance on the individual and the perception of self, his ideas about meaningful participation in a community and his use of television. Clearly, Mr. Rogers' ideas still strongly resonate.

Kathy Merlock Jackson is a professor at Virginia Wesleyan College, USA where she teaches media studies and children's culture. She is the editor of The Journal of American Culture and a former president of the American Culture Association. Steven M. Emmanuel is professor of philosophy at Virginia Wesleyan College, USA where he specializes in the history of philosophy (East & West), with an emphasis on moral and religious thought. He lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia.