Mister Rogers' Neighborhood

- Season 16

(1985)

While planting a seed, Mister Rogers talks about how long it takes for plants to grow and that learning to wait is important. He shows a video about how people make orange juice. In Make- Believe, Cousin Mary is planning a visit.

Mister Rogers shows a film of a bird family, and an origami artist shows how to fold paper birds. In Make-Believe, puppet couple Betty and James adopt a baby daughter. Mister Rogers says there are many different ways to be a family.

Mister Rogers visits a pediatrician to help children know what to expect during a routine check up. In Make-Believe there are plans for a cousin reunion. Mister Rogers helps children know that one thing all families have in common is love.

Robert Trow shows two puppies in the yard outside Rogers' television house. He then delivers a film of different families in the neighborhood. With the Neighborhood of Make-Believe's cousin reunion nearing, Bob Dog and Ana Platypus adopt each other as cousins.

Mister Rogers takes a field trip to Sea World to see the penguin families there. He talks about how every person in the world is different from everybody else. In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, the cousin reunion takes place.

Mister Rogers shows a video of some of the many ways children like to play and plays at his sand table. In Make-Believe, the Trolley has a cover that makes it looks like a car. Mr. McFeely and Mister Rogers play a game of miniature golf.

Mister Rogers goes to Chef Brockett's bakery to see a neighbor make Chinese dumplings. In Make-Believe, the neighbors are creating different kinds of covers, and there's a "rocking chair horse" that flies but won't come down.

Mister Rogers talks about different kinds of things to sit on. He shows Mr. McFeely's visit to a factory where people make wooden rocking horses. In Make-Believe, there are all kinds of covers - even a mask that looks like King Friday.

Mister Rogers shows a video of kittens being born. Poet May Sarton visits. In Make-Believe, Daniel is frightened by someone in a mask. He's afraid he might grow into a big ferocious tiger. Playing is a way of thinking about our feelings.

Mister Rogers visits a new playground designed and built by adults and children together. He tries out the swings and slides. In Make-Believe, shy Daniel Tiger becomes a hero, even though he doesn't always feel brave.

Mr. McFeely visits a trumpet-making factory to see how people make trumpets. In Make-Believe, there's a visiting trumpeter, and King Friday declares that an approaching comet belongs to him and decrees a week of celebrating.

Mister Rogers takes a field trip to a planetarium where he sees a sky show. He and Chuck Aber play basketball in the backyard, and remind viewers that trying, not just succeeding, deserves to be celebrated.

World-renowned trumpeter Wynton Marsalis visits to play with the Neighborhood trio and talk with Mister Rogers about his music. It's nighttime in Make-Believe, and Henrietta is sad because she thinks her friends have forgotten her birthday.

Friday's Comet arrives in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, bearing a note that neither King Friday nor anyone else will forget. They all go to the Museum-Go-Round for Henrietta's surprise birthday party. After the party, Henrietta is surprised to hear that Reardon is making a new opera that will air the next day.

This Mister Rogers opera, with charming sets and costumes and an enchanted night sky, tells the story of a Kitty (Betty Aberlin) who wishes for a star of her own for her birthday. Her friends help her learn nobody can own anybody else.