Watch Reading Rainbow Stories
Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace
This Reading Rainbow episode features Amazing Grace by Alice Hoffman, a story about a little girl who wants to be Peter Pan in her school play. She refuses to give up her dream even though she’s a different race and gender than the traditional Peter Pan. LeVar explains that being in the spotlight can be exciting, but also scary. The featured book is read by actress Tyne Daly. Whoopi Goldberg talks about the importance of following your dreams and celebrating our differences.
Bread is for Eating
Bread is for Eating
This Reading Rainbow episode features Bread is for Eating by David and Phillis Gershator, explains the process of making bread— from growing the grain to baking it — in a song sung in both English and Spanish. LeVar demonstrates how to make bread from scratch and talks about how each culture has its own unique bread traditions. After the story, a Hopi woman from Arizona shows how to make traditional blue cornmeal bread.
Enemy Pie
Enemy Pie
This Reading Rainbow episode features Enemy Pie by Derek Munson, a story about overcoming differences and the importance of friendship. LeVar visits a playground and talks about how misunderstandings can impact relationships. The featured book is read by actor Ed Harris. After the story, LeVar invites viewers to think about how they can make friends with people from different backgrounds.
Follow the Drinking Gourd
Follow the Drinking Gourd
This Reading Rainbow episode features Follow the Drinking Gourd by Jeanette Winter, a story about how a song helped a family escape slavery and travel north along the Underground Railroad. LeVar explains the significance of the drinking gourd and celebrates the road to freedom paved by the Underground Railroad. The featured book is read by actor Keith David. After the story, LeVar discusses the different roles music has played in the lives of African Americans.
Germs Make Me Sick!
Germs Make Me Sick
This Reading Rainbow episode features Germs Make Me Sick! by Melvin Berger, a book that explains what germs are, how bacteria and viruses affect the human body, and how the body fights against them. We share our world with millions of microorganisms, and although most of them are harmless, some make people sick. LeVar visits a laboratory. After the story, LeVar explains that scientists study germs in labs to prevent illnesses.
Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message
Giving Thanks A Native American Good Morning Message
This Reading Rainbow episode features Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message by Chief Jake Swamp, a story celebrating the precious and rare gift of the natural world and the resources of the earth. LeVar stops on a fall day to show his appreciation for the season and all that it brings. After the story, LeVar visits a family farm to learn how cranberries are grown and harvested.
Visit the Reading Rainbow website at https://www.readingrainbow.org/watch/ to find family activities you and your child can do together after watching this episode. Activities for this video are available in both English and Spanish.
How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World
How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World
This Reading Rainbow episode features How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman, a story about a baker who discovers the market is closed and travels around the world to gather ingredients for a pie. LeVar prepares apple raisin muffins and talks about the importance of quality ingredients. The featured book is read by actress Helen Mirren. After the story, LeVar explains how to balance ingredients while finishing his muffin recipe.
Lemonade for Sale
Lemonade For Sale
This Reading Rainbow episode features Lemonade for Sale by Stuart J. Murphy, a story about a group of friends who start a business together. The Elm Street Kids’ Club needs money to fix up its clubhouse, so the kids decide to sell lemonade and monitor their success by tracking daily sales. LeVar visits Wall Street and talks about what it means to be an entrepreneur. The featured book is read by singer Andrea McArdle. After the story, LeVar explains how a stock exchange works.
Little Nino’s Pizzeria
Little Nino's Pizzeria
This Reading Rainbow episode features Little Nino’s Pizzeria by Karen Barbour, a story about a family restaurant. Tony loves helping his dad make pizza until one day his dad decides to open a fancy new restaurant and everything changes. LeVar talks about yeast and how it is used to make pizza dough. The featured book is read by actor Josh Saviano. After the story, LeVar demonstrates how to shape and toss pizza dough while preparing a meal for his friends.
The Lotus Seed
The Lotus Seed
This Reading Rainbow episode features The Lotus Seed by Sherry Garland, a story about how a Vietnamese family preserves their heritage. When forced to leave her country, a young Vietnamese girl takes a lotus seed with her as a reminder of her past. LeVar talks about the beauty of the lotus flower and the longevity of its seeds. The featured book is read by actress Rona Figueroa. After the story, a girl who was born in Vietnam and immigrated to America shares her experience.
Math Curse
Math Curse
This Reading Rainbow episode features Math Curse by Jon Scieszka, a zany and hilarious story about how almost everything in our lives is math-related. Math is such an integral part of our lives that we often don’t realize we are using it. LeVar talks about how math helps us find solutions for our problems. The featured book is read by actress Michelle Trachtenberg. After the story, LeVar finds a mathematical “cure” to his packing problem.
Mummies Made in Egypt
Mummies Made In Egypt
This Reading Rainbow episode features Mummies Made in Egypt by Aliki, a book that describes the techniques and the reasons for the use of mummification in ancient Egypt. LeVar talks about the importance of distinguishing mummy facts from fiction. The featured book is read by actress Corinne Orr. After the story, LeVar visits the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston to see their extensive mummy collection.
The Patchwork Quilt
The Patchwork Quilt
This Reading Rainbow episode features The Patchwork Quilt by Valerie Flournoy, a story about a girl who learns the secret ingredient in her grandma’s special quilt of memories. Coming in all sizes, shapes, and colors, families are as varied as patchwork quilts. LeVar discusses recycling while visiting the Boston Children’s Museum. The featured book is read by actress Isabel Sanford. After the story, LeVar explains that the secret ingredient in Tanya’s quilt was love.
Rechenka’s Eggs
Rechenka's Eggs
This Reading Rainbow episode features Rechenka’s Eggs by Patricia Polacco, a story about a woman who rescues an injured goose. LeVar shows viewers several examples of artwork inspired by eggs, including a traditional Ukrainian painted egg or “pysanka.” The featured book is read by actress Viveca Lindfors. Author and illustrator Patricia Polacco talks about the importance of drawing in her life.
Ruth Law Thrills a Nation
Ruth Law Thrills a Nation
This Reading Rainbow episode features Ruth Law Thrills a Nation by Don Brown, a book based on the true story of a record-breaking flight by a daring female pilot in 1916. LeVar discusses the history of aviation and shows viewers the inside of a biplane. The featured book is read by actress Linda Lavin. After the story, LeVar talks about how early plane travel required great courage.
The Shaman’s Apprentice
The Shaman's Apprentice
This Reading Rainbow episode features The Shaman’s Apprentice: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest by Lynne Cherry and Mark J. Plotkin, a story about knowledge and tradition. A fatal disease comes to a Tirio village in the Amazon leaving only a few villagers with faith in the shaman’s abilities. LeVar travels to the Amazon by plane. The featured book is read by actress Susan Sarandon. After the story, LeVar visits the village with author Mark Plotkin.
Stellaluna
Stellaluna
This Reading Rainbow episode features Stellaluna by Janell Cannon, a story about a baby bat who falls into a nest and is raised in a most peculiar way by a family of birds until she is reunited with her mother. LeVar discovers the mysterious and fascinating world of fruit bats. The featured book is read by actress Anne Jackson. After the story, LeVar highlights several other species of bats.
Tar Beach
Tar Beach
This Reading Rainbow episode features Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold, a story about a young girl who dreams of flying above her Harlem home. Everyone needs a special place where they can think and daydream. LeVar takes viewers up on the roof to a “tar beach,” an urban oasis in the sky. The featured book is read by actress Ruby Dee. After the story, LeVar talks about the beauty of the George Washington Bridge.
Uncle Jed’s Barbershop
Uncle Jed's Barbershop
This Reading Rainbow episode features Uncle Jed’s Barbershop by Margaree King Mitchell, a story about a black barber who dreams of opening his own barbershop and overcomes many setbacks while working to save enough money. LeVar visits his favorite barber for a haircut. The featured book is read by actress Regina Taylor. LeVar talks about the importance of determination and pursuing your dreams.
Zin! Zin! Zin! a Violin
Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin
This Reading Rainbow episode features Zin! Zin! Zin! a Violin by Lloyd Moss, a story about how musicians use rhyming, melodies, and mathematics to create beautiful music. LeVar talks about how an orchestra combines the sounds of many different instruments. The featured book is read by dancer Gregory Hines. After the story, LeVar attends a rehearsal at the Juilliard School and the conductor shares insights about his job.
Reading Rainbow | The Tin Forest | Remembering 9/11
Reading Rainbow
The Tin Forest
Deeply affected by the events of September 11, LeVar spends the day with the students.
Two stories, one fictional and one real-life, demonstrate the healing power of the human spirit. In Helen Ward's book The Tin Forest, a sad old man decides to change things and gradually transforms his surroundings from gloomy and lonely to lush and full. Jeff Bridges reads the story, and LeVar relates the book's theme to what happened in downtown Manhattan following the 9/11 attacks.
LeVar then visits P.S. 234, a New York elementary school just blocks from Ground Zero, and talks to the students about how they have dealt with the tremendous upheaval in their lives since the September 11 attack. Together, they make a music video expressing their message of hope and gratitude. Twenty years later, these lessons are as important and powerful as ever.
This episode of Reading Rainbow originally aired on PBS September 3, 2002.
Activities and Educational Resources
This episode of Reading Rainbow is poignant as we reflect on the attacks of 9/11 twenty years later. The messages of hope and gratitude are especially relevant for today’s youth, many of whom have experienced trauma and learning disruption due to the pandemic.
Below are several activities educational resources you and your child or class can do together after watching this episode.
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Reading Rainbow
Pete Seeger Reads 'Abiyoyo' on Reading Rainbow
Pete Seeger joins host LeVar Burton to read (and sing) the classic African folktale 'Abiyoyo' on Reading Rainbow. In this complete Reading Rainbow segment from 1986, legendary American folk singer Pete Seeger sings and tells us the story of a fearsome giant named Abiyoyo. Watch as a father and son use music and magic to battle a mighty giant.
Reading Rainbow
Fairytales - Classic Reading Rainbow
In this Classic Reading Rainbow segment, LeVar Burton heads to a Renaissance Faire and learns about the entire process of making garments in days of old, from sheering, to spinning, to weaving, to dyeing.