By Thomas Moll
Director of Content & Innovation
Dr. Mary Manz Simon has a journey that is nothing short of inspiring. Born and raised on the streets of Chicago, Simon’s story as a self-proclaimed “street kid” who grew and developed into a bestselling Christian author is a testament to her resilience, hard work, and faith. In all her achievements, she points to the work of her Savior, Jesus Christ, in guiding each of her steps.
Growing up in Chicago was not easy, particularly as a pastor’s daughter in a family that wasn’t “rolling in dough,” as she explained. However, Simon views her upbringing as an enriching experience that instilled in her an appreciation for diversity and respect for other faiths. She attended Chicago public schools—where she was often one of the few Christian students present during Jewish holidays. This exposure to different cultures and practices fostered an understanding and respect for various faith communities, a value that she carries to this day.
After getting married and moving to Saint Louis, Simon pursued her doctorate at Saint Louis University, a demanding institution. As she worked on her advanced degree, she encountered an unexpected challenge—the lack of appropriate devotional materials for her young children. In the midst of working hard to balance her roles as wife, mother, and student, Simon began writing her own devotions for her children, scribbling down reflections on God’s work in their daily lives on envelopes, post-it notes, and even McDonald’s napkins. These notes evolved into a nightly devotion ritual for her family.
Simon never intended to become a writer. Yet, she found herself with a drawer full of these notes that eventually became her first book, “Little Visits with Jesus,” which made it to the Christian bestseller list. And through this experience, she began an exciting new chapter in her life.
Since that first book that was born out of a need for her own children, Simon now has many books in the Library of Congress. She’s had the opportunity to work with the Berenstain Bears, VeggieTales, and has consulted on many projects such as the “Prince of Egypt,” an animated film from DreamWorks Animation.
“I was just so overcome by the moment of thinking there are 88 books of mine on these shelves, and I’m in the Library of Congress. It’s incredible,” she said. “Clearly, God had a better idea for my life than I did. I could have never dreamed it.”
A significant part of Simon’s journey includes her interactions with Fred Rogers, better known as Mr. Rogers, the beloved children’s television host. Simon remembers fondly her interactions with Mr. Rogers, who she had the privilege of interviewing for Christian Parenting Today magazine.
During the course of their conversation, she was deeply moved by the genuine warmth and kindness that Mr. Rogers exuded, traits that had endeared him to millions of children and adults across the world. She recalls how Mr. Rogers, with his trademark compassion and understanding, spoke about the importance of nurturing children’s self-worth and fostering an environment of love and acceptance.
In her interviews with Mr. Rogers, she was struck by his commitment to treating children with respect and honesty. He was a strong believer in the power of kindness and the importance of making children feel seen, heard, and valued.
Simon has preserved the cassette tapes from her interviews with Mr. Rogers, a treasure trove of wisdom and insight from one of television’s most iconic figures. These tapes, now converted to CDs, serve as a reminder of the profound effect that Mr. Rogers had on children’s television and his enduring impact on the lives of countless children and adults.
“I wrote about the listening thing because Fred (Rogers) listened,” she said. “He paused, and he listened. He paid attention. And I think in this world, that’s really what kids especially want.”
One of the lessons Simon took away from her interactions with Mr. Rogers was his approach to dealing with difficult topics. He didn’t shy away from addressing tough issues on his show. Whether it was divorce, death, or even war, Mr. Rogers was committed to helping children navigate these challenging topics with grace and empathy.
Inspired by her interactions with Mr. Rogers, Simon has strived to incorporate the same level of compassion and understanding in her own writing. She understands that just like Mr. Rogers, she has a responsibility to her young readers to provide them with content that is not only engaging but also helps them navigate the complexities of the world around them.
“When you’re at the end of one thing, you might be at the beginning of something new,” Simon said in quoting Mr. Rogers.
A new thing that Simon explored was the concept of faith stories. The work on her own faith story allowed her to look back at the amazing life experiences God had given her. Time and time again, she saw God at work. As she reflected on the things that didn’t work out the way she planned, she saw the doors that opened for her to do even more exciting things. She encourages us all to look back at how God gets us through these tough times in order to give us the courage to move forward. God will be with us in the future, with every step we take.
But in planning for the next generation, she recognizes how overwhelming it can be to fathom leaving a legacy for the future.
When we sort through all our things we could leave to others, she encourages us to reflect on all that God has given us that we can freely pass on to our family. This is a gift they desperately need in order to navigate the challenges they’ll face.
Simon is acutely aware of the changing times. Children’s reading habits have shifted dramatically from physical books to screens. To meet her grandchildren where they consume their media, she recorded her faith story in video form as a lasting gift to her children, grandchildren, and future generations.
Simon invites others to reflect on their own faith stories. She encourages everyone to leave a legacy that transcends material possessions—a legacy of faith, hope, and love, passed on through stories that testify to God’s enduring faithfulness.
“We have all these little bits and pieces that we can’t see, but God does because he’s already been there, and that’s where he’s leading us,” she said. “That’s why we have to be sure that we’re walking with him. That’s why we have to go through the door as he opens it because we don’t know what great things he has planned.”
Simon’s legacy is one of faith—a faith that has been tested, refined, and proven true through the trials and triumphs of her life. Her many written works, her influence on massive media projects, and the impact she’s had on the faith of her own family calls us all to “tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.” (Psalm 78:4 ESV).