Exactly as You Are: The Life and Faith of Mister Rogers

Exactly As You Are: The Life and Faith of Mister Rogers explores the life of Fred Rogers from when he was a young, shy, and bullied child, to the end of his life when he had achieved the creation of a children’s show that was not only educational but also filled with moral and less-than-obvious references to Christianity. Many people throughout the years have wondered who the real Fred Rogers was, especially when his televised persona made such an impact on children and adults alike. Shea Tuttle breaks down Fred Rogers’ behavior and reasoning for many of his memorable songs and talks on his hit show, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and how they all had a connection to Christianity and his need to let the children know that, like Jesus, Mister Rogers liked everyone “exactly as you are.”

Even if you’re not a religious person, you will still find this book fascinating as you learn much about this inspirational man. Being a religious person, I found this book to be inspiring to my faith and a testimony to how God works in us humans for the betterment of others. Tuttle writes with experience and includes cited sources as well as some assumptions in her text to make it read as an enjoyable, light read.