Fred Rogers

A Spring Giveaway!

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I am visiting Vancouver right now, and my friend was showing me the city this weekend. We stopped into a local Indigo store where I was delighted to find my newest book, A World of Love, on a table at the front of the kids’ section as a suggested gift for Mother’s Day. I love the thought of families celebrating the occasion by sharing this story, which honors parental love!

I also recognize that many people in our lives who are not blood relations can serve as cheerleaders, supporters, and chosen family. I’m thinking of all the ways that people form community while I write this post. The friends with whom I’m staying have raised their kids alongside ours. We’ve swept up ground Cheerios and done dishes together. We’ve served as emergency contacts for school trips. We’ve passed along children’s clothing, celebrated holidays, and been there for birthdays, graduations, concerts, and many, many kid-created plays in our basements and living rooms. 

I’m grateful for our community of friends that has been an integral part of our children’s lives. As Fred Rogers, of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood says, “Anyone who does anything to help a child . . . is a hero to me.”

I wanted to offer a giveaway in honor of those people in our lives whose care has nourished us–moms, grandmas, aunts, and anyone whose support has made your life richer. The winner will receive a $50 gift certificate (CAD) to the bookstore of your choice. It could be a fun gift to offer someone special this weekend. I’d love to have you enter here: https://bit.ly/MayGiveaway2024 The giveaway runs until midnight EST on Friday, May 10th, and I’ll email the winner on Saturday, May 11th. (One entry per person.) 

If you are giving one of my books to someone this weekend and you’d like to make it a little extra special, just email me through the contact form on my website and let me know. I’d be happy to sign a bookplate and mail it to you or directly to the book’s recipient.

Welcome Home is perfect for new parents. First Morning Sun celebrates the milestones of a child’s first five years and also highlights the special role of older siblings. 

Animal Snuggles features animal and human parents showing affection through physical touch, and A World of Love showcases many ways that animal parents all over the world nurture their young. 

However you spend time this weekend, I hope you realize how irreplaceable you are.

I’m wishing you a world of love!
Aimee

Kindness in the Classroom Giveaway: Toast Sticks and Teaching

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Mama Bell Frampton and Freddie Rogers, as depicted by Matt Phelan

Mama Bell Frampton was a neighbor of the young Fred Rogers. Fred describes with fondness his visits to her home. Time and again, she welcomed him with a cheery greeting and the gift of a simple offering:  buttered toast. What’s more, she showed young Freddie how to make “toast sticks” all by himself. She had no way of knowing how deeply her everyday kindness would affect her young neighbor.

Mama Bell Frampton’s consistent, caring presence helped to form Fred’s vision of a healthy neighborhood—a place where all were welcomed and encouraged to grow. That sense of connection and warmth pervaded the television program that would bring Mr. Rogers into the homes and hearts of countless families over the decades it was on the air.

Fred recognized the transformative power of those who care for children, calling them his heroes. As a former teacher, I honor the vital work of educators. I’m cheering you on as you create communities that recognize the dignity of the students in your care. In honor of World Kindness Day, which is recognized on November 13th, I want to celebrate Kindness in the Classroom.

You Are My Friend cover

I am holding a giveaway for a special prize pack. It will include an online author visit and a signed copy of You Are My Friend: The Story of Mister Rogers and His Neighborhood as well as postcards and temporary tattoos featuring art from the book for every student in the winning teacher’s class.

If you are a teacher, you can enter the draw in four ways:

(1) comment on this blog post,

(2) comment on and share the corresponding World Kindness Day Classroom Giveaway post on my Facebook author page https://www.facebook.com/aimeereidbooks/,

(3) tag me on Twitter (@aimeereidbooks) and use the hashtags #WorldKindnessDay and #teaching, and

(4) tag me on Instagram (@aimeereidbooks), using the hashtags #WorldKindnessDay and #teaching. Each of the four options will give you an entry.  

I’ll hold a draw on Sunday, November 14th and be in touch with the recipient to find out how you’d like your book personalized and where you’d like me to send the book, postcards, and temporary tattoos. We’ll also set up a time for the online visit.  

All teachers who participate will receive a link for a downloadable booklet that expands on the themes in You Are My Friend and invites students to write or draw about their own uniqueness. I’d love to see pictures of the booklets your students create!

Special note: I’m also holding a separate giveaway of two signed books for individuals. Check out my blog post entitled World Kindness Day Giveaway: Neighbors, Helpers, and Everyday Goodness for those details. Teachers are welcome to enter both draws.

World Kindness Day Giveaway: Neighbors, Helpers, and Everyday Goodness

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  • from You Are My Friend, illustrated by Matt Phelan

I spent some time standing on my front lawn last night, listening to a neighbor. The stress of the pandemic had taken a toll. I didn’t have answers for the thorny questions that troubled this person, and that was okay. We lingered while my dog played until the growing chill nudged us back indoors.

At the end of the conversation, my neighbor expressed gratitude for an increase in front-lawn visits on our street over the past year or so. “It’s something good,” said my neighbor, who made sure that I knew this observation was not meant to diminish the loss and uncertainty of these months.

I agree.

You may know of Fred Rogers’ advice for children when they encounter frightening situations: “Look for the helpers.” Fred was passing along his mother’s words when, as a child, he had heard scary news on the radio.

One reason I admire Fred Rogers’ work is that he told the truth to children. Fred’s advice was not meant to simply distract them from the fact that the world contains sadness. It was rooted in equally deep and, I believe, more compelling truths: our world is filled with kindness and we have the power to choose our responses.

Good people are everywhere. Thoughtful acts are woven into the fabric of our society, and we can pay attention to them. Cups of tea poured, hands extended, neighbors shoveling walks: these ordinary decisions to care for one another deserve celebration.

You Are My Friend book cover

In honor of World Kindness Day, which is recognized on November 13th, I want to give away two signed copies of You Are My Friend: The Story of Mister Rogers and His Neighborhood. You can enter to receive one of the copies in four ways:

(1) comment on this blog post,

(2) comment on and share the corresponding World Kindness Day post on my Facebook author page https://www.facebook.com/aimeereidbooks/,

(3) tag me on Twitter (@aimeereidbooks) and use the hashtag #WorldKindnessDay, and

(4) tag me on Instagram (@aimeereidbooks), using the hashtag #WorldKindnessDay.

Each of the four options will give you an entry. I’ll hold a random draw for the two prizes on Sunday, November 14th and be in touch with the recipients to find out how you’d like your books personalized and where you’d like me to send them.

Holiday gifts

If you would like to order a personalized copy of You Are My Friend as a gift, let me know. You can reach me through the contact form on my website. I’ll be happy to personalize an inscription and send a copy out in time for the holidays.

Note for teachers and those who appreciate them: I’m also holding a special giveaway for teachers. Check out my blog post entitled Kindness in the Classroom Giveaway: Toast Sticks and Teaching. Teachers can enter both contests.

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