LeVar Burton Movies

When people think of giant cactuses, it is the image of the saguaro that generally comes to mind. Details about this symbol of desert life are featured in Reading Rainbow: Desert Giant: The World of the Saguaro Cactus, as host LeVar Burton takes a look at the desert ecosystem and the many forms of life that exist there. These include bobcats, jack rabbits, woodpeckers, and rattlesnakes, all of which have adapted to the extreme conditions. Burton discusses the ways in which cactus live with minimal precipitation and also tells his young viewers how to dress for the desert environment. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

Guest star Roy Clarke reads Barn Dance by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archinbaugh, as the story unfolds of a child who hears distant music coming from a barn. This highly acclaimed series encourages young children to enter the world of reading in a very entertaining way. Host LeVar Burton goes to a barn dance in Tennessee, and meets a real bluegrass band. Clogging is demonstrated, and a fiddle maker explains his craft. In the kid-reviewed books segment, I Like the Music, The Old Banjo, and Half a Moon and One Whole Star are discussed. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

In this story of an actual occurrence, Humphrey, a humpback whale, becomes disoriented and winds up stranded in a small body of water. With the help of some human friends, including scientists, he finds his way back to the safety of the sea. Reading Rainbow: Humphrey the Lost Whale: A True Story features the book by Wendy Tokuda and Richard Hall, and also offers scenes of the whale rescue. LeVar Burton goes whale-watching with a naturalist, and presents a filmed sequence of the rescue of three pilot whales. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

The conservation of marine ecosystems is the topic of Reading Rainbow: Jack, the Seal, and the Sea, as host LeVar Burton goes out to sea with a group of marine biologists. He inspects samples of sea life brought up by the researchers, including a leopard shark, and learns how scientists check for signs of distress in the ocean environment. Leslie Uggams reads Jack, the Seal, and the Sea by Gerald Aschenbreuner. In the book review segment, youngsters analyze the merits of A Day in the Life of a Marine Biologist and Sterling, the Rescue of a Baby Harbor Seal. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

Set in the 24th century and decades after the adventures of the original crew of the starship Enterprise, this new series is the long-awaited successor to the original "Star Trek" (1966). Under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, the all new Enterprise NCC 1701-D travels out to distant planets to seek out new life and to boldly go where no one has gone before.

The theme for this episode of the series is sports, as LeVar Burton discusses the skills and attitudes needed to do well in many sports. He addresses the viewers from a gym and goes through a workout while explaining about the hard work necessary to excel, especially in the Olympic Games. Reading Rainbow: Sports Pages visits a brother and sister who are training together for a chance at the Olympics. In the featured book by Arnold Adoff, there are many poems about athletes, and Burton reads several. At the conclusion of the program, the young reviewers discuss the pros and cons of Soccer Sam and Sports. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

The featured book of this Reading Rainbow episode is Stay Away from the Junkyard!, written by Tricia Tusa and read by Michele Mariana. In the story, a young girl finds that, amid all the trash, there are some interesting objects in a junkyard. Viewers meet Michael Ives, who takes what most people would throw out and creates art. In his garage, host LeVar Burton discovers mementos that are impossible to toss; just because something is old doesn't mean it has little value. In the book review segment, the young critics rediscover old favorites, including The Story of Ferdinand, The Snowy Day, and Make Way for Ducklings. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

Deviating from the storyline of Alex Haley's book, and the classic 1977 miniseries that followed, the plotline of 1988's Roots: The Gift finds African-born slave Kunta Kinte (LeVar Burton) and his plantation friend Fiddler (Louis Gossett Jr.) helping freed black man Cletus Moyer (Avery Brooks) smuggle runaway slaves to freedom. Roots: The Gift was set during Christmas of 1775 because it was slated for telecast during the Christmas season of 1988 -- December 11, to be exact. This telecast was timed to coincide with the posthumous publication of Alex Haley's book A Different Kind of Christmas, which had nothing whatsoever to do with Roots but did concern itself with runaway slaves at Yuletide. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The many faces of illusion are explored in this episode of the award-winning series, as LeVar Burton hosts another lively program. In the featured story, a boy can no longer keep his beloved dog, and he begins to regard a brush as a substitute pet. The brush becomes animated and takes on the characteristics of a real dog. Reading Rainbow: Brush also looks at the work created by 3-D animation artists, and offers a trip to a site of parade float makers. Kid-reviewed books include Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg and Egg-Carton Zoo by Rudi Hass and Hans Blohm. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

Diamonds and food are the subjects of Reading Rainbow: Robbery at the Diamond Dog Diner. In the featured story, written by Eileen Christelow, jewel thieves threaten the safety of Lola Dog's prized diamonds. LeVar Burton learns the duties of a cook at a diner, and in another entertaining segment, a pasta maker is shown at work. Other books reviewed in the program include A Cache of Jewels and other Collective Nouns by Ruth Heller, Better Homes and Gardens Step-by-Step Kids' Cookbook, edited by Gerald Knox, and Aunt Eater Loves a Mystery by Doug Cushman. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

The Purple Coat, written by Amy Hest and read by Jack Gilford, tells the story of Gabby, who tires of the new blue coat made by her grandfather every fall. For once, she wants a different color. With clothing in mind, host LeVar Burton goes to the Fashion Institute of Technology and the garment district in New York City. Viewers get a look behind the scenes of the fashion world, and Burton receives a special present. Papier-mâché artist Steve Hanson demonstrates his skill as he shows viewers how he makes his figures. Reading Rainbow: Purple Coat is another entry in the award-winning series devoted to the encouragement of reading for young children. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

Working around bees may seem like a daunting task, and host LeVar Burton demonstrates the necessary precautions to take as he explores a hive in Reading Rainbow: Life Cycle of the Honeybee. In the featured book, youngsters learn many facts about this important insect, how commercial beekeepers remove the honey and where it goes from there. Bees are social insects, and the program gives information about their intricate society, from the worker bees to the queen. Other books reviewed in the program include The Lady and the Spider, The Reason for a Flower, and Going Buggy! Jokes About Insects. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide