LeVar Burton Movies

The seventh Star Trek feature passed the torch to a new crew. Decades after the original "Trek," the skipper of the fourth USS Enterprise is Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), who investigates a massacre at a science outpost. The only survivor is Dr. Soran (Malcolm McDowall), who perpetrated the event to cover up his invention: a bomb he launches into a nearby sun, exploding it. As Soran escapes with Klingon cronies, Picard learns that Soran's plan is to summon a heavenly energy ribbon called the Nexus. Those who enter it live forever with every wish fulfilled. Attempting to stop Soran, Picard ends up inside the Nexus, where he discovers former captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner), believed to have been killed in an accident 78 years earlier. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

There is a scientific emphasis in this episode of Reading Rainbow, as host LeVar Burton discusses the importance of trees in the environment. Reading Rainbow: Once There Was a Tree looks at the way in which trees grow and their role in ecosystems. Viewers can also see how maple syrup is produced from sugar maples. The author of the featured book, Once There Was a Tree, is Natalia Romanova, and it is read by Eli Wallach. The Tree in the Woods, The Tremendous Tree, and Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf are reviewed by the youngsters on the show. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

Reading Rainbow is the highly acclaimed series that promotes the pleasure of reading for primary grade students, and frequently explores cultural and social issues in a sensitive manner. In this episode, the friendship of a young African-American boy and his elderly Jewish neighbor is told in Mrs. Katz and Tush, written by Patricia Polacco. Reizl Bozyk and Rich English narrate this story of how the relationship develops after Lionel gives Mrs. Katz a cat named Tush. Host LeVar Burton also discusses his friendship with Shari Graham, his "bubbie," who teaches him how to make challah, a Jewish bread. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

In 1991, Oakland, California was ravaged by brush fires. This made-for-television feature tells some of the harrowing and heroic stories of those that fought and survived the blaze. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Two guest stars appear on Reading Rainbow: Is This a House for Hermit Crab?: Eartha Kitt, who reads the featured book, and Robin Leach, who narrates for a segment about animal habitats. As host LeVar Burton discusses animal shelters, he shows viewers how to construct a bird house. There is a segment featuring the phenomena of birds of prey who have discovered that tall buildings provide suitable nesting sites. Among the books reviewed by the young critics are Urban Roosts, Spider's Web, and Busy, Busy Squirrels. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

The Reading Rainbow series has won many awards in its PBS history, dealing with a variety of topics, including sociological issues. In this episode, Keith David reads Follow the Drinking Gourd by Jeanette Winter, which tells of the constellation that escaping slaves could use as a guide to the relative safety of the North. LeVar Burton discusses the heritage of African-Americans with Sweet Honey in the Rock, a folk group. In a segment near the end of Reading Rainbow: Follow the Drinking Gourd, the student critics review A Picture Book of Harriet Tubman and Shake It to the One That You Love. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

Overcoming limitations, whether real or perceived, is the topic of Reading Rainbow: Amazing Grace, as Tyne Daly reads the story of a young girl who manages to land the title role in a school play despite an assumption that she cannot due to her race and gender. Several guests appear on the program, including Whoopi Goldberg, Lauren Turner, and Sheila Haines, who discuss their experiences with obstacles in their careers. In the book review segment, kids analyze Great Women in the Struggle, Mirette on the High Wire, and Roses Sing on New Snow. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

A young girl who is unable to hear or speak, but who has learned to communicate through dance, receives an invitation to perform for the king in Silent Lotus. Reading Rainbow host LeVar Burton introduces Terry Lean, a friend who is deaf, and their discussion centers around the manner in which deafness affects her life. In another segment of this episode, two brothers, one of whom is deaf, explain how they communicate through sign language to live normal lives. Among the other books reviewed by the children are Amy, the Story of a Deaf Child, The Handmade Alphabet, and Hand Rhymes. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

In the thought-provoking Reading Rainbow series, young children learn about the fun of reading and get a sense of the knowledge encountered through books. The Salamander Room was written by Anne Mazer and is read by Lynne Thigpen. It's the story of a child who wants to keep a salamander for a pet, but learns that his room is not a suitable place for a wild creature. At the Bronx Zoo, host LeVar Burton finds a rain forest environment in the Jungle World and discovers how it was created. Frogs, Toads, and Salamanders, The Great Kapok Tree, and Chipmunk Song are reviewed by the young critics. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

The Reading Rainbow series has won many awards as it promotes the advantages of reading in programs that combine a lively mix of information and entertainment. The shows are centered around a principal story, and from there, branch off to related activities and field trips that are fun and thought-provoking. At the end of each show, a group of youngsters reviews several books related to the featured story. In Reading Rainbow: Dive to the Coral Reefs, LeVar Burton scuba dives, discussing the uncertain fate of coral reefs with Harold Hudson, known as the "Reef Doctor." ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

This popular program has won many awards, including International Literacy Association and NAACP Image honors. Its purpose has been to provide a positive and entertaining approach to reading, aimed at children from preschool ages through fourth grade. In Reading Rainbow: Bicycle Man, the featured book concerns an American G.I. who overcomes the shyness of children in a Japanese village by demonstrating his skills on a bike. Host LeVar Burton discusses rollerblades, and presents footage of skateboarders and freestyle bikers. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

This episode of Reading Rainbow tells the story of Little Gopher, who dreamed of being a painter from the time he was a small boy. When he grew older, he wanted most to be able to capture the colors of the sunset. Reading Rainbow: Legend of the Indian Paintbrush tells the heartwarming legend of how he achieved his wish. Dominic Arquero, a painter in New Mexico, is profiled, and host LeVar Burton visits the Naranjos, a family of potters. The program, like many in the series, addresses the cultural heritage of many ethnic groups. In a segment devoted to book reviews by youngsters, a selection of Native American books is analyzed. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

Encouraging young children to read has been the focus of the Reading Rainbow series. The many positive aspects of literacy are emphasized, with the programs offering celebrity readers for the featured books and host LeVar Burton taking viewers on frequent field trips to sites related to the stories. In this show, the book is about drought conditions and the solution to the problem devised by a young boy. Burton looks into puddle-jumping and takes viewers to the National Center for Atmospheric Research, where they learn about aspects of meteorology. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide