Children's DVD Features - R-S
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- DirectorAndré F. NebeStarsNiamh McGirrSusan LynchColm MeaneyThe story of an 11-year-old girl from a poor rural community who dreams of becoming a racing driver.
- DirectorEdward FuStarsFann WongDennis Chong Kheng ChewJamie YeoFollow pals Ringo the rat and Oriole the ox as they work together battling the elements and their opponents to compete in the ultimate animal race, where only one can be crowned king.
- DirectorSean McNamaraStarsAlex D. LinzWilliam AthertonJames WoodsIn the 1960s a young woman works at NASA as an animal trainer responsible for the chimpanzee who will go into space.
- DirectorAndy FickmanStarsDwayne JohnsonCarla GuginoAnnaSophia RobbA Las Vegas cabbie enlists the help of a U.F.O. expert to protect two siblings with paranormal powers from the clutches of an organization that wants to use the kids for their nefarious plans.
- DirectorFrederik Du ChauStarsFrankie MunizDavid SpadeSnoop DoggAn abandoned zebra grows up believing he is a racehorse, and, with the help of his barnyard friends and a teenage girl, sets out to achieve his dream of racing with thoroughbreds.
- DirectorPeter HowittStarsDebby RyanSarena ParmarAdam DiMarcoTara, a painfully shy high-schooler, has a secret: she is also a confident DJ known as Radio Rebel, who lends her voice to others.
- DirectorLionel JeffriesStarsDinah SheridanBernard CribbinsWilliam MervynAfter the enforced absence of their father, three children move with their mother to Yorkshire, where during their adventures they attempt to discover the reason for his disappearance.
- DirectorChristopher R. WatsonStarsDavid James ElliottGrayson RussellEd QuinnA rag-tag group of children at a sleep-away camp help their counselor overcome a personal crisis.
- DirectorElizabeth Allen RosenbaumStarsJoey KingSelena GomezBridget MoynahanAn adventurous young girl uses her imagination to escape her reality, that is quickly spinning out of reach.
- DirectorGore VerbinskiStarsJohnny DeppIsla FisherTimothy OlyphantRango is an ordinary chameleon who accidentally winds up in the town of Dirt, a lawless outpost in the Wild West in desperate need of a new sheriff.
- DirectorNorman TokarStarsSteve ForrestBill MumyPamela TollA young boy's summer vacation is brightened by a special friend, a young raccoon whom he names "Rascal".
- DirectorBrad BirdJan PinkavaStarsBrad GarrettLou RomanoPatton OswaltA rat who can cook makes an unusual alliance with a young kitchen worker at a famous Paris restaurant.
- DirectorPaul HoenStarsKay PanabakerDanielle PanabakerAlexandra KrosneyA shy, retiring high-school student develops a peculiar alter-ego that changes her life forever.
- StarsLeVar BurtonJam Master JayDarryl McDanielsIn one of the rare times Reading Rainbow uses a studio set, LeVar tells about storytelling through music. The then-new art of music videos is first up, with clips of "Who's Johnny" and footage of Run-D.M.C. performing "My Adidas." Pete Seeger appears on the set to perform his version of the folktale "Abiyoyo." He explains that he adapted an old African folk tale, about a boy who helps get rid of a giant terrorizing his town, when Seeger's children pestered him to come up with a unique bedtime story that included music. Then, in an example of avant-garde music, a clip of the video "Luminare" by Dean Winkler and John Sanborn, with music by Daniel Lentz from "Is it Love" is seen. Also unique: all the book reviewers share the stage with LeVar.
- StarsLeVar BurtonFrancisco RivelaJesse SpielmanLeVar visits Indian Canyons to learn how Native American Indians lived near a desert oasis, and why water is such a precious thing for our planet. Francisco Rivela reads Alejandro's Gift, a story about a man who lives in the desert and decides to build an oasis for the animals that come to his garden to drink, but run away when he tries to be friendly.
- DirectorHugh MartinStarsLeVar BurtonEric BogosianArnold StangLeVar checks out the Library of Congress. Among the activities shown: how a book is delivered to the front desk, the vast film library, and how damaged books are repaired. Arnold Stang reads Alistair in Outer Space, a story about a young boy that is so dedicated to returning library books on time that he doesn't even let getting abducted by space aliens stop him.
- StarsLeVar BurtonErma CampbellArnold StangLeVar goes to a totally-fictitious spot to find inventors from all eras. True to form, these inventors come from the distant past, Reading Rainbow's near-present, and the future. Arnold Stang narrates Alistair's Time Machine, the story of a boy who invents a machine that takes him centuries back in time.
- DirectorMark MannucciStarsLeVar BurtonB.J. CrosbyThis episode of "Reading Rainbow" teaches a lesson about family. LeVar Burton reminisces about his childhood with his mother and two sisters. His parents were divorced when he was eight, leaving him without a father. In this episode. we visit with children that come from different types of family structures--not all of which are traditional.
- DirectorMark MannucciStarsLeVar BurtonTyne DalyWhoopi GoldbergLeVar visits a theater to discuss acting and how pretending to be someone else sometimes helps people express themselves in different ways. He also visits with his friend, Whoopi Goldberg, who was launching her own talk show, and discussed how her unique look has sometimes helped, and hindered her career as an actress/comedienne.
- DirectorMark MannucciStarsLeVar BurtonMichael LearnedCreativity is the theme as LeVar spends the day painting a mural and other artwork. Michael Learned tells the story of Appelemondo, a boy whose daydreams were so vivid that they could be seen developing above his head, and how his friends learned how to capture the dreams to make beautiful paintings to decorate their town.
- StarsLeVar BurtonArnold StangLeVar gets in his share of scientific method while at an amusement park. He answers questions by observing and using trial and error. Along the way, we learn how different kinds of scientists find answers to their own questions. Arnold Stang reads the featured tale about a young boy, obsessed with science and mathematics, whose mother sends him to summer camp to help him improve his social skills, but his scientific knowledge helps him learn even more, and makes him into a camp hero when he figures out how to win the softball game by calculating trajectories.
- StarsLeVar BurtonLeVar discusses cathartic ways to adjust to losing a loved one in this episode. He and fellow viewers talk about family members that are now gone that they miss, and how they try to remember the good times rather than dwell on the pain. Ruby Dee reads the featured story about an aging Badger, who knows he doesn't have much longer to live and tries to prepare his friends for his passing.
- StarsLeVar BurtonRoy ClarkLeVar is in Tennessee where he is going to a barn dance. Along the way, he meets the band who will be playing their Bluegrass music and meets a man who makes his own fiddles. At the barn, LeVar also learns a few dance steps for the big night. Roy Clark narrates "Barn Dance!", a story about a hoedown that is unlike any other.
- DirectorLarry LancitStarsLeVar BurtonMadeline KahnStephanie MillsLeVar is already worn out after working on several scenes all day long on the production of the series. He feels he needs to take on another identity, segueing into introducing the featured book, Bea and Mr. Jones. Madeline Kahn reads the book about a kindergarten student and her father who get so bored with their jobs that they decide to experiment by switching places for the day.
- StarsLeVar BurtonJames AveryWalter J. TurnbullLeVar cruises the musical realms of New York in a program featuring the Boys Choir of Harlem. James Avery narrates the tale of Berlioz the Bear, a story about a bass-playing bear who gets in a jam. His animal friends who play music help him out, but all fail until a bee from inside Berlioz's bass saves the day.
- DirectorVern OakleyStarsLeVar BurtonLiza SieglerThe best of friends are those whose friendships endure everything. And it extends to all walks of life, particularly to dogs. Liza Siegler reads the story of two girls who are best friends, but their relationship is strained when one girl goes on a vacation with relatives and the other girl feels lonely and neglected, until a new neighbor moves in and asks her to help him look after his dog.
- DirectorDean ParisotStarsLeVar BurtonDenise CrosbyMichael DornIn both the featured story and on the set of the show "Star Trek: the Next Generation" (which LeVar also stars in), we learn how TV shows are made and how actors in costumes and special effects can make imaginary things seem real.
- StarsLeVar BurtonOlga MeredizLeVar spends the day in a barrio in East Los Angeles studying Mexican culture as he visits friends who make their own guitars, eats some traditional food, and discusses the cultural differences that are practiced in both Mexico and the US. Olga Merediz reads Borreguita and the Coyote, the tale of a clever lamb who continually outsmarts a coyote determined to eat her.
- 1983–200628mTV-Y9.3 (11)TV EpisodeDirectorLarry LancitHerk HarveyStarsLeVar BurtonHerk HarveyJames Earl JonesHow do you envision the rain or any kind of weather? Some of the things to ask about in this show of weather legends. When LeVar's plans of attending a picnic and softball game are derailed by a downpour, he decides to stay home to read a few books instead. James Earl Jones reads "Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain", an African story written in the style of "The House That Jack Built," about how one action leads to another to help bring water to a drought-torn region.
- StarsLeVar BurtonKevin ClashHector ElizondoCan inanimate things come to life, as the feature book suggests? LeVar finds out for himself in a factory where all the goods for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade are stored.
- StarsLeVar BurtonEdward Moldonado Jr.With microorganisms under his belt, LeVar now goes on the lookout for insects.
- StarsLeVar BurtonJennifer Betit YenArnold StangLevar Burton introduces young viewers to illustrated readings of children's literature and explores their related subjects.READING Rainbow: Buried Treasures
- StarsLeVar BurtonA lesson about legacies is presented. The book "Carousel", narrated by Sarah Hubbard, shows that a legacy is a special gift passed down from generation to generation. Other books recommended are "The Long Silk Strand", "The Always Prayer Shawl", and "Up and Down on the Merry Go Round."
- DirectorLarry LancitStarsLeVar BurtonStephanie AlbersShell BenjaminLeVar and eight other actors are rehearsing for a musical number called "Teamwork." Amy Linker ("Square Pegs") reads "A Chair for My Mother", about a family that has to save up money to replace furniture lost when their apartment burns down in a fire. It also tells about how the rest of the neighborhood pulled together to help them during their loss.
- DirectorMitch GellerStarsLeVar BurtonGeorgia EngelLeVar wants to find the answer to the old question, "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?" Posing as field reporter for E.G.G.-TV , he uncovers other discoveries instead, such as loggerhead sea turtles emerging onto the sand to lay eggs. Georgia Engel narrates Chickens Aren't the Only Ones, a book told in rhyme showing all kinds of animals who lay eggs like chickens.
- StarsLeVar BurtonDixie CarterLeVar discusses how the weather is traced, tracked, and covered in the media. The viewers are shown how to make a "soda bottle tornado" and how a barometer works. All this is prelude to the dramatic footage of Hurricane Hugo as it wreaked havoc in Charleston, South Carolina in 1989.
- DirectorLarry LancitStarsLeVar BurtonKaleena KiffLeVar visits a pet store to discuss the featured book, and imagines that one of the pets from the store followed him home. It's a field day for the farm animals, and not a place for the faint of heart (or so the featured book would have it). The show also attends a state fair to investigate livestock competitions. Kaleena Kiff and Laura Hicks read the featured story of a little girl telling her mother about a school fieldtrip to a farm, and the chaos that ensued when her classmate brought along his pet snake to introduce it to the farm animals.
- DirectorLarry LancitSteve ZinkStarsLeVar BurtonLinda GelmanJerry StillerTechnically not the first science-related show in its history, LeVar seeks a place where archaeologists retrieve dinosaur bones. At the end of the program, LeVar buries a time capsule, containing (among other things) a can of old Coke and his picture. Linda Gilman reads Digging Up Dinosaurs, a story about how paleontologists unearth dinosaurs skeletons and preserve them in museum exhibits.
- StarsLeVar BurtonJane CurtinThere's more to the cat than meets the eye. It culminates with one of the stars of what was then believed to be Broadway's permanence: CATS. Jane Curtain narrates the featured book about a girl who wants a cat. In the story, Duncan and Dolores learn how to be themselves and earn each other's friendship.
- StarsLeVar BurtonEd HarrisLeVar observes activity in a playground to see how people do and don't get along with each other. Ed Harris reads Enemy Pie, a story about a boy who dislikes one of his new classmates, and how his father helps bring the two boys to start a friendship by making a secret recipe Enemy Pie.
- DirectorHugh MartinStarsLeVar BurtonLaura HaymannJessica MercadoLeVar seems to have a lot of things going wrong for him as he spends a day in the park, causing lots of different emotions. In an animated feature, a group of school children read poems about feelings and how to deal with situations. In another profile, LeVar introduces Koko the Gorilla, who learned to communicate through American Sign Language.
- StarsLeVar BurtonDaniel SaltzmanHomelessness is discussed as families have lost jobs and homes through tragic circumstances. One family, who lost their home in a fire and now reside in a shelter, is profiled. Daniel Saltzman reads Fly Away Home, the story of a young boy and his father who secretly live at the airport after the father lost his job and they became homeless when the boy's mother died, so they couldn't pay their rent. The little boy finds a lost bird flying around the terminal and helps it get back outside.
- StarsLeVar BurtonKeith DavidRobert M. WatsonLeVar reflects on a time when Africans were brought to America as slaves. He talks about how African-Americans risked their lives for freedom, and discusses how the music from slavery times effected the African culture. Keith David reads the featured story, which explains that the African-American folk song, "Follow the Drinking Gourd," was in fact a coded message to slaves giving them instructions on how to take the Underground Railroad north to states that abolished slavery.
- StarsLeVar BurtonFred NewmanThere's a wide job market out there, but just what kind of job does a person want? In this program are both conventional and unconventional occupations to straddle the flow of the feature book.
- DirectorLarry LancitStarsLeVar BurtonHattie WinstonViewers learn the many uses for wire: from creating objects of wire art and transporting people on the longest tramway in the world, to playing an integral part in a circus act.
- DirectorHugh MartinStarsLeVar BurtonJerry OrbachLeVar goes on a search for microorganisms, distinguishing the good ones from the bad. An animated satire of Hill Street Blues (which ran 1981-1987) shows white blood cells ready to fight germs. Molly Mandlin reads Germs Make Me Sick!, explaining how people can catch colds and diseases from exposure to germs.
- DirectorLarry LancitStarsLeVar BurtonMichael AnsaraRobert Tree CodyThe first of many programs favoring Native Americans. In this instance, a Midwestern legend suggests how horses arrived to the tribe. Later in this episode is the song "Ancient Places, Sacred Lands" which lists several words originating from various locations of the United States and the tribal meaning of their names.
- DirectorLarry LancitStarsLeVar BurtonDoug ParvinIn the featured book, a young boy and his family move from New York City to the Southwest and he has many misconceptions about what his new home is like.
- 1983–200628mTV-YTV EpisodeStarsLeVar BurtonLeVar discusses how people show gratitude for kind acts and how we can repay each other in acts of kindness to spread good will in the world. Nicholson Earl Billey reads the featured story, a poem of greeting that Native Americans say each day to bless the earth and pray for all the gifts they have been given by respecting the planet.
- DirectorLarry LancitStarsLeVar BurtonMarilyn MichaelsToday's subject is goats and what they eat.
- StarsLeVar BurtonAl RokerLaVar explains the postal service and shows how important mail as a form of communication.
- DirectorLarry LancitStarsLeVar BurtonFernando EscandonLeVar visits Hawaii to get a closer look at active volcanoes. He studies lava and the way the earth changes after an eruption. Fernando Escandon reads "Hill of Fire", a true story of how a volcano suddenly started to build up in a farmer's field in Mexico, and how the city then had to evacuate.
- StarsLeVar BurtonAnn DuquesnayJoshua RedmanIn this episode of the "Reading Rainbow," Levar Burton visits with The Bill Saxton Quartet and Saxophonist Joshua Redman. We learn about jazz and the concept of improvisation. Books featured in this episode include: "Hip Cat", "Conga Crocodile", "Charlie Parker Played BeBop", and "Willie Jerome."
- DirectorLarry LancitStarsLeVar BurtonWilliam WindomLeVar goes to South Carolina to ride a hot-air balloon. In another study of how air travel has advanced, schoolchildren visit the Space Camp for Aspiring Young Astronauts. William Windom reads the story of Hot-Air Henry, the misadventures of a cat who sneaks on board his family's hot air balloon and how he gets back down again.
- StarsLeVar BurtonJohn CunninghamLeVar dreams he is miniature size and everything around him is "so very big." When he awakes, everything is back to normal. He learns that size can influence our perception. Things look bigger and a little scary when we're small. But as we grow, our perception changes. The suggested books are "Hotel Animal," "The Three Bears," "Mr. Tall and Mr. Small," and "Zoom."
- DirectorDean ParisotStarsLeVar BurtonJane PauleyLeVar is sailing on the Atlantic coast whale watching. He and a team of scientists learn about how whales eat and how they live in their habitats in the ocean. Jane Pauley narrates the true story of Humphrey, the Lost Whale, all about a humpback whale who gets separated from his pod and gets stuck under a bridge over the Sacramento River.
- DirectorMark MannucciStarsLeVar BurtonBeth HowlandCandice Nichole HughesOne thing leads to another in this episode, with LeVar in a bowling alley, showing how certain actions lead to consequences. Included is a piece on an expert at domino displays and domino art. Beth Howland reads "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie," the tale of a little boy who offers a cookie to a mouse, and all the events that occur afterwards as a result.
- StarsLeVar BurtonImogene CocaLaVar visits the Philadelphia Zoo in Pennsylvania to learn about animals with horns and antlers. In today's featured story, a young girl wakes up one morning to discover she's grown her own pair of antlers.
- StarsLeVar BurtonEartha KittRobin LeachLeVar sets out to build a bird house, prompting an examination of animal habitats. Eartha Kitt reads the story of a growing hermit crab, who is now too large for his current shell, and all the difficulties he has trying to find a new place to live, all the while trying to avoid predators who want to eat him.
- StarsLeVar BurtonCharles KimbroughWhat's fact and what's fiction? What's the truth and what's absurd? LeVar looks into unusual stories and tries to distinguish the actual news from fabrications. Charles Kimbrough reads a story (set in the future from the time the show was originally broadcast) about a young girl's science experiment to grow vegetable seeds in space, and how weeks later the country was inundated with giant plants falling from the sky.
- DirectorRichard HendrickStarsLeVar BurtonShaddi AlbawabBrian DennehyLeVar takes a train ride from California to Washington state. Along the way, we learn about trains and how the transcontinental railroad came to be. Brian Dennehy narrates the true story of how a young teen named Kate Shelley risked her life to save the engineers of a train that crashed into a river when the bridge near her home collapsed, and how she had to get word to the nearest station to alert them to stop the express train.
- DirectorMitch GellerStarsLeVar BurtonSada ThompsonSada Thompson reads the story of Abbie, the eldest daughter of a family that tends a lighthouse, and how she had to keep the lamps working during a storm while her father was in the city getting supplies. LeVar visits a family that runs their own sailboat tourism business and actually live on their small craft.
- StarsLeVar BurtonBree WalkerWhat's a handicap to a determined individual? With LeVar camping out by himself, the show banks itself on a news anchor who had been born with deformed hands and feet. The featured story, Knots on a Counting Rope, tells about how a boy who is blind faces his own fears.
- StarsLeVar BurtonKevin ChamberlinFred NewmanTurning even crazier, the show plays with our heads in more ways than one. LeVar is the "Head reporter" of a mock-news program called "HEADline News Report" and "reports" on a truly head-spinning array of all things ridiculous about the head. Included is a "Head-to-Head" interview with The Grateful Head, a fictitious musical group of singing heads...no necks, just heads. They sing a song called, "I Ain't Got No Body." Marilyn Pasekoff reads the featured story of a vain French woman, trying to win a fancy hat contest, unwittingly has a miniature sailing ship land on her head, and wins the contest when the judges mistake the boat for her head ornament.
- DirectorLarry LancitStarsLeVar BurtonDominic ArqueroHarold LittlebirdLeVar's featured story is about a young Native American tribesman who finds his spiritual calling in life as a natural painter. His assignment is a special task that will influence him and his work have its memory last forever.
- StarsLeVar BurtonAndrea McArdleLeVar explores way that young people can earn money before they're old enough for official jobs in this show. Andrea McArdle reads the feature story of a group of kids who decide to run a lemonade drink stand to raise money to make repairs to their clubhouse, and how a new neighbor helps them drum up business.
- DirectorLarry LancitStarsLeVar BurtonLauren TomLeVar goes to New York's Chinatown for a look at Chinese culture. Also, a computer graphics artist from the New York Institute of Technology draws a traditional Chinese dragon boat.
- StarsLeVar BurtonGamil al-KutinyRona FigueroaYoung people who emigrated to the United States from Asian countries are interviewed and discuss having to learn a new language and fitting in with other children their age while dealing with language and cultural barriers. Rona Figueroa reads the story of The Lotus Seed, about a woman who flees her native country during wartime and manages to save only one memento, a lotus seed given to her by her mother from the garden she tended for the emperor.
- DirectorLarry LancitMichael SpornStarsLeVar BurtonVincent GardeniaStarting at the New England Aquarium, LeVar gets into a lengthy observation of aquatic life. Vincent Gardenia reads the story of Louis the Fish, a fanciful tale of a man, forced to take over his family's butcher business but secretly longing to take care of fish instead, wakes up one morning to find he magically turned into a giant salmon.
- DirectorDean ParisotStarsLeVar BurtonPhyllis DillerPeter PitofskyLeVar is assigned a comedy makeover to learn more about comedy. Phyllis Diller narrates "Ludlow Laughs," a tale about a man who never smiled at all until one strange night when he started to laugh out loud.
- DirectorHugh MartinStarsLeVar BurtonFred NewmanLeVar shows how music can help interpret a situation, from meeting alligators in a Louisiana swamp to joining a party on a Mississippi riverboat. Fred Newman narrates "Mama Don't Allow", about how a young alligator musician starts his own swamp band with his friends. Viewers are then treated to a recording session with Fred Newman as he makes up all the sound effects for the book, including the band's music.
- StarsLeVar BurtonJo HadenLuke, LeVar's favorite pooch, steps to the forefront and takes over the show. As a result, viewers get a dog's eye view of life, and get to meet some incredible canine daredevils who prove that a dog is truly a kids best friend - no bones about it. Jo Haden reads a story about Martha, a dog who eats a can of alphabet soup and suddenly discovers she can talk.
- StarsLeVar BurtonJennifer Betit YenArnold StangLevar Burton introduces young viewers to illustrated readings of children's literature and explores their related subjects.READING Rainbow: Math Is Everywhere
- StarsLeVar BurtonLeVar profiles people who are considered "Everyday Heroes" for doing important jobs to provide services, like firefighters, doctors, police officers, nurses, and even jobs like lawyers, judges and teachers. Regina King and Ian Desdone read the story of Max, a boy born into a family of superheroes who hasn't shown any signs of having powers yet.
- DirectorVern OakleyStarsLeVar BurtonHoyt AxtonLeVar travels to an old west town made to look like life in the 1880's to see how times have changed in the last 100 years. He explores how cowboys lived and traveled, and he also shows how stunt riders practice tricks on their horses for western movies. Hoyt Axton reads the featured book, a story told in comparisons about a rancher who decides to spend the day in a town 84 miles from home, and the strange happenings at his ranch back home while his wife stayed home to plant potatoes.
- DirectorLarry LancitStarsLeVar BurtonHarry Blackstone Jr.Ruth BuzziAs part of his birthday celebration, LeVar gets made-up like a movie monster, then gets involved in Harry Blackstone's magic act. Ruth Buzzi reads "Miss Nelson Is Back", about a class of rowdy students who try to take advantage of their teacher's absence when she's out for a tonsillectomy one day, and how she gets revenge on them by pretending to be the meanest teacher in the world, Viola Swamp.
- StarsLeVar BurtonReizl BozykJamie DuneierLeVar pays a visit to a family friend, who is Jewish, to learn how to prepare special foods served during a Seder dinner, like Challah bread and potato latkes. Reizyl Bozyk and Rick English read the featured story of an elderly Jewish lady and how she befriends her neighbor's young son after she is widowed and he gives her a pet cat to keep her company.
- StarsLeVar BurtonPhylicia RashadLeVar celebrates the culture of Africa in New York City's Central Park where he learns how African drums are made, and also learns to make his first sounds on various African instruments. Phylicia Rashad narrates "Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters", an African tale about a villager who has two beautiful daughters with completely different personalities. Mufaro presents his daughters to the king who is looking for a wife.
- 1983–200627mTV-YTV EpisodeStarsLeVar BurtonLeVar takes us on a literary tour of the United States. From Hawaii to Maine and Montana to New York, each state is different in its own way.
- StarsLeVar BurtonScott Irby-RanniarScott Irby Ranier tells a tale of a boy who is followed home by a wave of water after a vacation at the beach, and how he and his family must convince the wave it is better off living in the ocean than in his bathtub.
- DirectorVern OakleyStarsLeVar BurtonRon FosterLeVar spends a day on the Caribbean island of Montserrat. With the featured book as his guide, LeVar drives around the coastline, visits an open market, and gets a glimpse of a mountain frog. Ron Foster narrates the featured book, My Little Island, about a young boy who visits his cousins on the island and how it is much different than his life in the United States.
- StarsLeVar BurtonJane GoodallFaith PrinceObserving people is the theme of the day, as LeVar finds himself with time to kill before a business meeting and chooses to watch children at a playground while he waits.
- DirectorMark MannucciStarsLeVar BurtonPatrick StewartHow babies are born is explored, in great detail, in this episode, as a family welcoming their fourth child is profiled during the last few weeks before delivery. Patrick Stewart reads a poem about how special each person is when they come into the world, and how every birth should be celebrated.
- DirectorMark MannucciStarsLeVar BurtonEli WallachThere is still use to a tree stump, as the feature book entails. Eli Wallach reads the story about the lifetime of a tree, and how different animals and people made use of the tree during its many stages, from sapling to tall tree to a cut down stump.
- StarsLeVar BurtonIn this episode, all is not what it seems as LeVar demonstrates optical illusions from the book by Arline and Joseph Baum. He also shows how special effects are created for television; meets artist Christian Thee, who paints trompe l'oeil, or "trick-the-eye," paintings; and shows clips of kids creating their own optical illusions as well as camouflage tricks that animals use to deceive predators.
- StarsLeVar BurtonLeVar visits the United Nations building to learn more about how different countries of the world try to work together. Naomi Judd reads Our Big Home, a poem about how everything in the world is connected to each other and how we all must work together to make it succeed.
- StarsLeVar BurtonMatthew BroderickKristian DamianIt's easy to get flashbacks while watching Reading Rainbow. Now it's LeVar's turn, as he gets in touch with visions of "his boyhood." Matthew Broderick reads "Owen," about a little mouse who's very attached to his security blanket and doesn't want to give it up, even if it means he will be teased when he starts school.
- DirectorLarry LancitStarsLeVar BurtonLorne GreeneLeVar visits Old Sturbridge Village in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to experience reenactments of life in Colonial America. Lorne Greene reads the story of Ox-Cart Man, all about a man who goes to town to sell all the hand-made items he and his family made throughout the year to earn a living.
- DirectorMitch GellerStarsLeVar BurtonKenny BlankKeye LukeLeVar provides insight on Japanese culture. Keye Luke reads the story of a kind restaurant owner who is thanked by a customer with a magical crane made from a napkin, whose dancing spectacle soon brings in the guests to make the failing business prosperous again.
- DirectorLarry LancitStarsLeVar BurtonIsabel SanfordJohn SebastianLeVar visits the Boston Children's Museum to participate with other children to design a patchwork quilt with everyone having their own individual square. Isabel Sanford reads The Patchwork Quilt, a story about a young girl who learns how to make a special quilt from her grandmother, and how she and her mother spend the next year collaborating on the quilt after grandmother falls ill.
- DirectorLarry LancitStarsLeVar BurtonBuddy EbsenLavar visits a lumberjack camp in the forest. Today's featured book is based on the legend of Paul Bunyan, the giant woodsman.
- DirectorLarry LancitStarsLeVar BurtonJames CocoJim HensonLeVar visits a pig farm in Hawaii to find out why pigs are so popular. He also interviews Kermit the Frog to ask him about his famous pig girlfriend, Miss Piggy. James Coco reads the story of "Perfect the Pig", about a little runt pig who makes a wish to have wings in order to be special, and how he found a special person to be his friend and companion.
- StarsLeVar BurtonJason Alexander"Pet Stories You Don't Have to Walk", read by Jason Alexander, features stories about pets. LeVar Burton throws a birthday party for his golden retriever, Roy, and treats the dog to a bath at a pet spa for his special day.
- StarsLeVar BurtonTovah Feldshuh"The Piggy in the Puddle" features a look at the art of claymation and the joys of mud. Claymation artists Becky and Cody introduce host LeVar Burton to the art of claymation and create a claymation interpretation of Charlotte Pomerantz's THE PIGGY IN THE PUDDLE. This program also features kids creating their own clay figures and a trip to a mud racing show. Kids review THIS HOUSE IS MADE OF MUD, THE HIPPOPOTAMUS SONG, and OINK.
- StarsLeVar BurtonJack GilfordIn New York again, LeVar goes to get a tailor-made jacket. In between comes a visit to the Fashion Institute of Technology.
- StarsLeVar BurtonJulia BarrLeVar spends the day following around wildlife artist and children's book author Jim Arnofsky, who shows LeVar how he is inspired to create the stories by the signs of animals around the woods near his home. Julia Barr reads several of Arnofsky's books: Raccoons and Ripe Corn, about a family of raccoons that feast on a nearby corn crop; Come Out, Muskrats!, about some shy muskrats hiding in their pond home; and Deer at the Brook, about a family of deer taking a drink at the stream.
- StarsLeVar BurtonViveca LindforsLeVar takes up decorating eggs and shows us that they're one of nature's extraordinary wonders. The author of the featured book shows us how she got the idea for the story. We also see how animals in nature hatch their eggs.
- DirectorLarry LancitDean ParisotStarsLeVar BurtonSamuel BenjaminSamuel Joseph BenjaminLeVar tries to have lunch at a diner, but soon finds himself thrust into work. For some reason, he just doesn't understand luncheonette lingo.
- StarsLeVar BurtonAnna HolbrookIn this episode of the "Reading Rainbow," Levar Burton visits with The Bill Saxton Quartet and Saxophonist Joshua Redman. We learn about jazz and the concept of improvisation. Books featured in this episode include: "Hip Cat", "Conga Crocodile", "Charlie Parker Played BeBop", and "Willie Jerome."