The Good Guys Agency: Kind Like Fred Rogers

A sweet story that proves things “built with kindness are built to last!”

The Good Guys Agency is “here to make the world a better place.” The agency–made up of three boys named Lucky, Rudy, and Red–has an enviable treehouse, a fun Kid Cruiser go-cart, and a long list of aspirations, much like a scout law (“We Pledge To: Be Kind to Others …”). The agency must help Charlie, who’s frustrated by his little brother, Teddy, who keeps ruining his attempts to build a fort. So Lucky, Red, and Charlie go to Imagination Station, while Rudy stays connected to them via string-and-tin can “telephones.” The boys learn about Fred Rogers, who as a child was bullied but nevertheless always advocated for treating others with kindness. The boys meet an adult Mr. Rogers and witness highlights in his career: Mr. Rogers speaks “calmly and nicely” while testifying before Congress to ask for a $20 million allocation for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and cools off in a wading pool with Officer Clemmons, a watershed moment in 1969 when many swimming pools were still segregated. Back home, Charlie, having absorbed Mr. Rogers’ lessons, welcomes Teddy’s help building the fort. A mix of prose and colorful comic panels make for a fast-moving story affirming the power of kindness and empathy. Lucky, Red, Charlie, and Teddy are light-skinned; Rudy has a darker complexion and curly dark hair.

A warm tale that will have readers following the characters’ worthy examples. (brief biography of Fred Rogers, complete list of Agency pledges)(Graphic chapter book. 6-9)

Nick Esposito is an award-winning teacher and education consultant with a passion for bringing best practices of service learning into the classroom. Nick has travelled around the world, serving with different organizations for different cultures and peoples. Through these experiences he has developed the belief that educational experiences must sharpen the mind and embrace the heart. Nick has degrees from Villanova University (journalism, sociology, peace & justice), Johns Hopkins (masters in urban education) and the University of Pennsylvania (masters in education entrepreneurship). Nick is the ecstatic husband of the love of his life and “Habitat Crush,” Cynthia. He is also a long-time hockey player and Philadelphia sports fan. He is the proud teacher of hundreds of students, all of whom are impacting the world in their own exciting, unique, yet quirky ways.

Ricardo Tokumoto was born in Limeira, Brazil. He later moved to Belo Horizonte, where he attended the Faculty of Fine Arts at UFMG and graduated with a BA in animation cinema. Today, he works on webcomics, creates comics for authors and publishers, and also works as an illustrator and animator.

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