Each year Stark County residents come together to read a common book. In light of the pandemic, this year required creative minds to collaborate and redesign the seventeen-year tradition. Through a variety of new and engaging events, Stark County’s 2021 One Book One Community will explore the theme of kindness.
The 2021 One Book One Community selection – I’m Proud of You: My Friendship with Fred Rogers by Tim Madigan – tells how an assignment to write a profile of the preschool television series Mister Rogers' Neighborhood ended in an unlikely friendship. This story of the enduring legacy left to us by Fred Rogers challenges readers to create a culture of kindness and discover new ways to make it "a beautiful day in the neighborhood".
Children are included in the community event with their own suggested books – You are my friend by Aimee Reid and Fred’s Big Feelings by Laura Renauld (both available as read alouds on YouTube).