LIFE CLUES

“What is true for children is true for all of us,” asserts the author, the co-creator of the Blue’s Clues franchise as well as the creator of the Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and Super Why! children’s television shows. In this book, Santomero outlines 20 “life clues,” concepts for adults to ponder while relating how these principles were weaved into her programs. A protégé of Fred Rogers, Santomero starts things off with Life Clue #1, “I Like You Just the Way You Are,” discussing how the venerable children’s show host’s affirming statement bolstered the author’s self-esteem as a child and ultimately inspired her future career. From there, Santomero takes readers through the remaining clues, including “Take a Moment,” “Always Try to Find Something Good,” “Cultivate Routines,” and “Be Like Daniel Tiger and Buddy Up,” sharing research studies, her own life experiences, and examples from her shows to convey the value of the behaviors under discussion. Each section concludes with “In Real Life” or “In the Real World” suggestions, such as complimenting someone to pay forward the “I Like You” idea and journaling daily observations to “Find Your Clues” and uncover passions and purpose. “Many of the things our adult minds are telling us are complicated really aren’t,” observes Santomero, who makes a convincing argument to follow the simple yet important precepts that play out in her children’s programming in adult life. While not all readers may take the time to piece together the bolded words that she has seeded throughout the text to “unveil a message to be shared with everyone,” the author offers plenty of serious self-development guidance, as well as pithy tips like “Don’t Say Fun—Be Fun.”