Mister Rogers' Neighborhood 1979 - 2001

Mister Rogers plays with toy cars and shows a video about how people make them. Playing with toy things can help children get ready for real grown-up things. In Make-Believe, there's news of a mysterious "Big Thing" that's on its way.

Mister Rogers goes to a conservatory to see different plants growing there. He plants a bean seed and reminds children that even though we can't see it, all living things grow. In Make-Believe, the neighbors wonder about the "Big Thing."

Mister Rogers talks about children growing to be adults. He shows how a cat grew from a little kitten and a photo album of babies and toddlers and the different ways they are growing. In Make-Believe, the "Big Thing" finally arrives.

Mister Rogers goes to his own barber to get his hair cut and helps children know that the barber cuts only hair and that it doesn't hurt. In Make-Believe, the mysterious "Big Thing" that has come to visit is starting to grow.

Mister Rogers visits with an old friend, Francois Clemmons, who performs with his Harlem Spiritual Ensemble. In Make-Believe, the "Big Thing" sprouts a big flower. It's great to know that everyone is growing in some way.

Mister Rogers shows how to make a simple mask out of a paper bag, assuring children that dressing up doesn't change us inside. Dancers wear masks in "The Raccoon Ballet," and In Make-Believe, the school children prepare for a dress-up play.

Mister Rogers visits the library for story hour where children play charades, guessing people's jobs. In Make-Believe, the school children get costumes for their play. Prince Tuesday plays dress-up with his father's crown - and loses it!

Mister Rogers puts on wigs and glasses and says, "You can dress up in the fanciest of things, but the best style comes from inside." He shows a video of how people make sneakers. In Make-Believe, everyone looks for the King's lost crown.

Mister Rogers visits the Boys' Choir of Harlem, meeting young singers with disciplined voices who dress in fancy choir robes to perform. In Make-Believe, King Friday's crown is found after the Neighborhood is literally turned upside-down.

At the dress-up play at the school In Make-Believe, the children learn they're more important than costumes they wear. Neighbor Maggie Stewart visits Mister Rogers dressed up as "Mr. McFeely," bringing a video of how people make sweaters.

Mister Rogers helps children know that there's art inside each of us and many ways to show it. He watches his friend Bob Trow paint a portrait of Mr. McFeely. In Make-Believe, the King proclaims that everyone make a portrait of him.

Mister Rogers listens to the lively music of the Spanish Singing Bakers. He shows famous portraits by Picasso. In Make-Believe, the neighbors are making portraits of the King, but Lady Elaine decides to offer a Picasso instead.

Mister Rogers shows a toy plane and reads a book about going on an airplane. He visits a skywriter who shows him how she creates images in the sky. In Make-Believe, the neighbors are making all kinds of different portraits of the King.

Mister Rogers visits with a potter at the community art center where they make a pot together using a potter's wheel. In Make-Believe, Lady Elaine is angry and uses her boomerang magic to cover all the portraits of King Friday with clay.

Mister Rogers visits Eric Hill, creator of the "Spot" books, and helps children know that in art you can make things any way you want. In Make-Believe, the neighbors have found lots of different ways to express themselves.