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All Seasons

Season 1

  • S01E01 Tight Times

    • June 6, 1983
    • PBS

    What can you do with very little money? That's what the featured book and LeVar must face. To set the tone for the entire series, LeVar shows a friend a wealth of fun at the local library. Patrick McCaffrey reads Tight Times, a story about how a little boy talks his parents into letting him adopt a stray cat even though they have to make budget cuts after the father is laid off from his job.

  • S01E02 Miss Nelson is Back

    • June 7, 1983
    • PBS

    As part of his birthday celebration, LeVar gets made-up like a movie monster, and then gets involved in Harry Blackstone's magic act. Ruth Buzzi reads Miss Nelson Is Back, all about a group of rowdy students who try to take advantage of their teacher's absence when she's out sick one day, and how she gets revenge on them by pretending to be "the meanest teacher in the world, Viola Swamp."

  • S01E03 Bea and Mr. Jones

    • June 8, 1983
    • PBS

    LeVar 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.

  • S01E04 Tight Times

    • June 6, 1983
    • PBS

    What can you do with very little money? That's what the featured book and LeVar must face. To set the tone for the entire series, LeVar shows a friend a wealth of fun at the local library. Patrick McCaffrey reads Tight Times, a story about how a little boy talks his parents into letting him adopt a stray cat even though they have to make budget cuts after the father is laid off from his job.

  • S01E05 Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain

    • June 9, 1983
    • PBS
  • S01E06 Louis the Fish

    • June 10, 1983
    • PBS

    Starting 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.

  • S01E07 Miss Nelson is Back

    • June 7, 1983
    • PBS

    As part of his birthday celebration, LeVar gets made-up like a movie monster, and then gets involved in Harry Blackstone's magic act. Ruth Buzzi reads Miss Nelson Is Back, all about a group of rowdy students who try to take advantage of their teacher's absence when she's out sick one day, and how she gets revenge on them by pretending to be "the meanest teacher in the world, Viola Swamp."

  • S01E08 Digging Up Dinosaurs

    • June 13, 1983
    • PBS

    Technically 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.

  • S01E09 Bea and Mr. Jones

    • June 8, 1983
    • PBS

    LeVar 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.

  • S01E10 Liang and the Magic Paintbrush

    • June 14, 1983
    • PBS

    LeVar goes to Chinatown for a look at Chinese culture. In something completely different, a New York technology institute draws a traditional Chinese dragon boat.

  • S01E11 Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain

    • June 9, 1983
    • PBS
  • S01E12 Louis the Fish

    • June 10, 1983
    • PBS

    Starting 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.

  • S01E13 Gila Monsters Meet You at the Airport

    • June 15, 1983
    • PBS

    LeVar is out to disspell misconceptions of unknown things. When the boy in the feature book is convinced he'll find gila monsters when he arrives at an airport out in the West, this raises the question: What is a gila monster? A nature visit to the West shows us a gila monster up close. Later in the program, LeVar discusses with children the new experiences they have had to face.

  • S01E14 Three Days on a River in a Red Canoe

    • June 16, 1983
    • PBS

    LeVar takes a camping trip with some young friends. They make a photo album of their trip and some other kids share their photo albums they made to show what they did over the summer. Carolyn McMahon narrates Three Days on a River in a Red Canoe, a story about a girl and her cousin who go on a camping trip with their mothers and ride in a canoe on the river.

  • S01E15 Digging Up Dinosaurs

    • June 13, 1983
    • PBS

    Technically 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.

  • S01E16 The Gift of the Sacred Dog

    • June 17, 1983
    • PBS

    The 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.

  • S01E17 Liang and the Magic Paintbrush

    • June 14, 1983
    • PBS

    LeVar goes to Chinatown for a look at Chinese culture. In something completely different, a New York technology institute draws a traditional Chinese dragon boat.

  • S01E18 Gregory, the Terrible Eater

    • June 20, 1983
    • PBS

    Oh, there's something wrong here. Goats don't just eat everything, despite LeVar's visit to a suspect diner. And then there's that obligatory something completely different: a professional chef letting kids chip in on a meal fit for humans.

  • S01E19 Gila Monsters Meet You at the Airport

    • June 15, 1983
    • PBS

    LeVar is out to disspell misconceptions of unknown things. When the boy in the feature book is convinced he'll find gila monsters when he arrives at an airport out in the West, this raises the question: What is a gila monster? A nature visit to the West shows us a gila monster up close. Later in the program, LeVar discusses with children the new experiences they have had to face.

  • S01E20 Three by the Sea

    • June 21, 1983
    • PBS

    LeVar spends a day at the beach, where he notices that everyone is reading the book of the day, Three by the Sea. Improvisation Comedy Troupe members of Chicago City Limits read the story of three children who challenge each other to come up with different stories using the same topic material. Later on, the improvising actors work with a group of children to teach them improv acting.

  • S01E21 Three Days on a River in a Red Canoe

    • June 16, 1983
    • PBS

    LeVar takes a camping trip with some young friends. They make a photo album of their trip and some other kids share their photo albums they made to show what they did over the summer. Carolyn McMahon narrates Three Days on a River in a Red Canoe, a story about a girl and her cousin who go on a camping trip with their mothers and ride in a canoe on the river.

  • S01E22 Arthur's Eyes

    • June 22, 1983
    • PBS

    How do you see things? Different people see things in different ways. And the best way to see things is through caring and understanding.

  • S01E23 The Gift of the Sacred Dog

    • June 17, 1983
    • PBS

    The 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.

  • S01E24 The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash

    • June 23, 1983
    • PBS

    LeVar 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.

  • S01E25 Gregory, the Terrible Eater

    • June 20, 1983
    • PBS

    Oh, there's something wrong here. Goats don't just eat everything, despite LeVar's visit to a suspect diner. And then there's that obligatory something completely different: a professional chef letting kids chip in on a meal fit for humans.

  • S01E26 Ty's One-Man Band

    • June 24, 1983
    • PBS

    LeVar is ready to find music everywhere, and he does. This show includes the animation Onomatopoeia. Lou Rawls reads the story of Ty's One-Man Band, about a man who teaches a boy how to make music using household items.

  • S01E27 Three by the Sea

    • June 21, 1983
    • PBS

    LeVar spends a day at the beach, where he notices that everyone is reading the book of the day, Three by the Sea. Improvisation Comedy Troupe members of Chicago City Limits read the story of three children who challenge each other to come up with different stories using the same topic material. Later on, the improvising actors work with a group of children to teach them improv acting.

  • S01E28 Hot-Air Henry

    • September 3, 1984
    • PBS

    LeVar goes to South Carolina to ride a hot-air balloon. In a totally unrelated scene (not mentioned in GPN's Reading Rainbow media guide), schoolchildren visit the Space Camp for Aspiring Young Astronauts.

  • S01E29 Arthur's Eyes

    • June 22, 1983
    • PBS

    How do you see things? Different people see things in different ways. And the best way to see things is through caring and understanding.

  • S01E30 Simon's Book

    • September 4, 1984
    • PBS

    In the feature book, a doodle goes on the loose and it's up to Simon to tame it. The reality is, books take many people and special machinery to make. Such is explained in the song In The Bindary.

  • S01E31 The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash

    • June 23, 1983
    • PBS

    LeVar 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.

  • S01E32 Ox-Cart Man

    • September 5, 1984
    • PBS

    LeVar visits Sturbridge Village in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to experience reenactments of life in Colonial America.

  • S01E33 Ty's One-Man Band

    • June 24, 1983
    • PBS

    LeVar is ready to find music everywhere, and he does. This show includes the animation Onomatopoeia. Lou Rawls reads the story of Ty's One-Man Band, about a man who teaches a boy how to make music using household items.

  • S01E34 Mystery on the Docks

    • September 6, 1984
    • PBS

    As LeVar explores the docks, Raul Julia narrates the story of Ralph, a short order cook who foils a kidnapping plot to hold Eduardo, a famous opera singer, hostage.

  • S01E35 Hot-Air Henry

    • September 3, 1984
    • PBS

    LeVar goes to South Carolina to ride a hot-air balloon. In a totally unrelated scene (not mentioned in GPN's Reading Rainbow media guide), schoolchildren visit the Space Camp for Aspiring Young Astronauts.

  • S01E36 A Chair for My Mother

    • September 7, 1984
    • PBS

    LeVar 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.

  • S01E37 Simon's Book

    • September 4, 1984
    • PBS

    In the feature book, a doodle goes on the loose and it's up to Simon to tame it. The reality is, books take many people and special machinery to make. Such is explained in the song In The Bindary.

  • S01E38 Paul Bunyan

    • July 1, 1985
    • PBS

    This book recounts the life of the extraordinary lumberjack whose unusual size and strength brought him many fantastic adventures. Also includes What Would You Do, Forest Firefighters, At the Library, Logging Olympics and book reviews for The Star-Spangled Banner, The Legend of the Bluebonnet and Whale in the Sky.

  • S01E39 Ox-Cart Man

    • September 5, 1984
    • PBS

    LeVar visits Sturbridge Village in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to experience reenactments of life in Colonial America.

  • S01E40 Mystery on the Docks

    • September 6, 1984
    • PBS

    As LeVar explores the docks, Raul Julia narrates the story of Ralph, a short order cook who foils a kidnapping plot to hold Eduardo, a famous opera singer, hostage.

  • S01E41 A Chair for My Mother

    • September 7, 1984
    • PBS

    LeVar 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.

  • S01E42 Paul Bunyan

    • July 1, 1985
    • PBS

    This book recounts the life of the extraordinary lumberjack whose unusual size and strength brought him many fantastic adventures. Also includes What Would You Do, Forest Firefighters, At the Library, Logging Olympics and book reviews for The Star-Spangled Banner, The Legend of the Bluebonnet and Whale in the Sky.

Season 2

  • S02E01 The Patchwork Quilt

    • July 2, 1985
    • PBS

    LeVar 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.

  • S02E02 The Patchwork Quilt

    • July 2, 1985
    • PBS

    LeVar 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.

  • S02E03 Hill of Fire

    • July 3, 1985
    • PBS

    LeVar 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.

  • S02E03 Hill of Fire

    • July 3, 1985
    • PBS

    LeVar 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.

  • S02E04 The Tortoise and the Hare

    • July 4, 1985
    • PBS

    LeVar has entered a bicycle race. He's in competition not just with the other bikers, but with himself as well. This program also includes a lengthy piece on a karate class. Comedienne Gilda Radner reads the Aesop's tale of "The Tortoise and the Hare," about an arrogant rabbit that's over confident that he can beat a determined turtle in a foot race.

  • S02E05 The Tortoise and the Hare

    • July 4, 1985
    • PBS

    LeVar has entered a bicycle race. He's in competition not just with the other bikers, but with himself as well. This program also includes a lengthy piece on a karate class. Comedienne Gilda Radner reads the Aesop's tale of "The Tortoise and the Hare," about an arrogant rabbit that's over confident that he can beat a determined turtle in a foot race.

  • S02E06 Perfect the Pig

    • July 5, 1985
    • PBS

    LeVar 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 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.

  • S02E07 Perfect the Pig

    • July 5, 1985
    • PBS

    LeVar 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 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.

  • S02E08 Space Case

    • June 30, 1986
    • PBS

    Is there life on other planets and stars? LaVar sends a message to aliens who might be watching and a radio telescope in Puerto Rico is profiled. Today's featured story is about a being from outer space who visits Earth.

  • S02E09 Space Case

    • June 30, 1986
    • PBS

    Is there life on other planets and stars? LaVar sends a message to aliens who might be watching and a radio telescope in Puerto Rico is profiled. Today's featured story is about a being from outer space who visits Earth.

  • S02E10 The Milk Makers

    • July 1, 1986
    • PBS

    LeVar spends a day at the dairy seeing how cows are milked and understanding what care cows need. Alaina Reed Hall reads the story of The Milk Makers, detailing how milk is collected from cows, processed in dairies and sent to grocery stores

  • S02E11 The Milk Makers

    • July 1, 1986
    • PBS

    LeVar spends a day at the dairy seeing how cows are milked and understanding what care cows need. Alaina Reed Hall reads the story of The Milk Makers, detailing how milk is collected from cows, processed in dairies and sent to grocery stores

  • S02E12 Imogene's Antlers

    • July 2, 1986
    • PBS

    LaVar 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.

  • S02E13 Imogene's Antlers

    • July 2, 1986
    • PBS

    LaVar 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.

  • S02E14 Germs Make Me Sick!

    • July 3, 1986
    • PBS

    LeVar 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.

  • S02E15 Germs Make Me Sick!

    • July 3, 1986
    • PBS

    LeVar 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.

  • S02E16 Abiyoyo

    • July 4, 1986
    • PBS

    In 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 (among others). Pete Seeger appears on the set to perform his version of Abiyoyo. Also unique to htis episode: all the book reviewers share the stage with LeVar.

  • S02E17 Abiyoyo

    • July 4, 1986
    • PBS

    In 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 (among others). Pete Seeger appears on the set to perform his version of Abiyoyo. Also unique to htis episode: all the book reviewers share the stage with LeVar.

  • S02E18 Mama Don't Allow

    • June 27, 1986
    • PBS

    When Miles gets a saxophone for his birthday, neither his parents nor his neighborhood can stand the racket! No one guesses what's in store for them, when Miles and his Swamp Band receive and invitation to play at the Alligator Ball. Also includes Alligator Farm, Meet Fred Newman, Visit the Creole Queen, and The Saxophone Player and book reviews for Miranda, Apt. 3 and Alligator Shoes.

  • S02E19 Mama Don't Allow

    • June 27, 1986
    • PBS

    When Miles gets a saxophone for his birthday, neither his parents nor his neighborhood can stand the racket! No one guesses what's in store for them, when Miles and his Swamp Band receive and invitation to play at the Alligator Ball. Also includes Alligator Farm, Meet Fred Newman, Visit the Creole Queen, and The Saxophone Player and book reviews for Miranda, Apt. 3 and Alligator Shoes.

  • S02E20 Feelings

    • June 25, 1986
    • PBS

    Pictures, dialogues, poems, and stories portray a variety of emotions we all feel - jealousy, sadness, fear, anger, joy, love, etc. Also includes Let's Make Music, Feeling Sad, Meet Koko and Penny and book reviews for Honey, I Love and Other Love Poems, Fireflies! and Loudmouth George and the Sixth-Grade Bully.

  • S02E21 Feelings

    • June 25, 1986
    • PBS

    Pictures, dialogues, poems, and stories portray a variety of emotions we all feel - jealousy, sadness, fear, anger, joy, love, etc. Also includes Let's Make Music, Feeling Sad, Meet Koko and Penny and book reviews for Honey, I Love and Other Love Poems, Fireflies! and Loudmouth George and the Sixth-Grade Bully.

  • S02E21 Watch the Stars Come Out

    • June 26, 1986
    • PBS

    LeVar 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 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.

  • S02E22 Watch the Stars Come Out

    • June 26, 1986
    • PBS

    LeVar 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 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.

  • S02E23 Animal Cafe

    • June 23, 1986
    • PBS

    Finding that the food on his shop shelves had vanished overnight and his cash register was stuffed full of money makes Maxwell wonder what really happens during the middle of the night. Also contains The City at Night, Bats, Through the Night and book reviews of The Moon, The Dream Eater and Night Markets: Bringing Food to a City.

  • S02E24 Animal Cafe

    • June 23, 1986
    • PBS

    Finding that the food on his shop shelves had vanished overnight and his cash register was stuffed full of money makes Maxwell wonder what really happens during the middle of the night. Also contains The City at Night, Bats, Through the Night and book reviews of The Moon, The Dream Eater and Night Markets: Bringing Food to a City.

  • S02E25 Alistair in Outer Space

    • June 24, 1986
    • PBS

    Alistair is on his way to return library books when he is captured in a spaceship by two creatures called Goots. Also includes Library of Congress, Maps and Globes, Conan the Librarian, Book Care and Repair and book reviews for Check it Out! The Book about Libraries, Commander Toad and Maps and Toads.

  • S02E26 Alistair in Outer Space

    • June 24, 1986
    • PBS

    Alistair is on his way to return library books when he is captured in a spaceship by two creatures called Goots. Also includes Library of Congress, Maps and Globes, Conan the Librarian, Book Care and Repair and book reviews for Check it Out! The Book about Libraries, Commander Toad and Maps and Toads.

  • S02E27 The Life Cycle of the Honeybee

    • June 22, 1987
    • PBS

    LeVar visits a beehive to look into beekeeping and how honey is made. Barbara Feldon narrates The Life Cycle of the Honeybee, which goes into detail about how bees make hives in natural habitats such as trees.

  • S02E28 The Life Cycle of the Honeybee

    • June 22, 1987
    • PBS

    LeVar visits a beehive to look into beekeeping and how honey is made. Barbara Feldon narrates The Life Cycle of the Honeybee, which goes into detail about how bees make hives in natural habitats such as trees.

  • S02E29 Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie

    • June 23, 1987
    • PBS

    Sada 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.

  • S02E30 Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie

    • June 23, 1987
    • PBS

    Sada 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.

  • S02E31 Chickens Aren't the Only Ones

    • June 24, 1987
    • PBS

    LeVar 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.

  • S02E32 Chickens Aren't the Only Ones

    • June 24, 1987
    • PBS

    LeVar 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.

  • S02E33 The Paper Crane

    • June 25, 1987
    • PBS

    LeVar 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.

  • S02E34 The Paper Crane

    • June 25, 1987
    • PBS

    LeVar 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.

  • S02E35 The Runaway Duck

    • June 28, 1987
    • PBS

    In a small boat on the Chesapeake Bay, LeVar is on the lookout for ducks who are spending the winter. During the trip, he gets a chance to see a duck up close and show how a couple turns a block of wood into a duck. Orson Bean reads The Runaway Duck, a story of a toy duck named Egbert who gets tied to a car by accident and how he then travels all over the world when the car drives off.

  • S02E36 The Runaway Duck

    • June 28, 1987
    • PBS

    In a small boat on the Chesapeake Bay, LeVar is on the lookout for ducks who are spending the winter. During the trip, he gets a chance to see a duck up close and show how a couple turns a block of wood into a duck. Orson Bean reads The Runaway Duck, a story of a toy duck named Egbert who gets tied to a car by accident and how he then travels all over the world when the car drives off.

  • S02E37 A Three Hat Day

    • June 29, 1987
    • PBS

    A totally unreal hat store called "Hats... to Where?" sells hats that transport customers to all parts of the world. LeVar whisks himself to the horse racetrack at Turf Paradise, to a model train display in Three Bridges, New Jersey, and to the Nassau Coliseum, where he gets a goal tending lesson from Kelly Hurdey of the New York Islanders. Zelda Rubenstein reads A Three Hat Day, a story about a man who loves hats very much, and how he meets his soul mate when he goes shopping in a new hat store.

  • S02E38 A Three Hat Day

    • June 29, 1987
    • PBS

    A totally unreal hat store called "Hats... to Where?" sells hats that transport customers to all parts of the world. LeVar whisks himself to the horse racetrack at Turf Paradise, to a model train display in Three Bridges, New Jersey, and to the Nassau Coliseum, where he gets a goal tending lesson from Kelly Hurdey of the New York Islanders. Zelda Rubenstein reads A Three Hat Day, a story about a man who loves hats very much, and how he meets his soul mate when he goes shopping in a new hat store.

  • S02E39 Rumpelstiltskin

    • June 30, 1987
    • PBS

    This looks like an extension of the previous episode, but it is a separate venture. LeVar appears in proper attire for an English Renaissance festival. Ralph Waite reads the fairy tale of Rumpelstiltskin, about a poor miller's daughter who is stuck between a greedy king and a conniving elf to get out of a difficult situation.

  • S02E39 Rumpelstiltskin

    • June 30, 1987
    • PBS

    This looks like an extension of the previous episode, but it is a separate venture. LeVar appears in proper attire for an English Renaissance festival. Ralph Waite reads the fairy tale of Rumpelstiltskin, about a poor miller's daughter who is stuck between a greedy king and a conniving elf to get out of a difficult situation.

  • S02E40 Best Friends

    • July 1, 1987
    • PBS

    The 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.

  • S02E41 Best Friends

    • July 1, 1987
    • PBS

    The 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.

  • S02E42 Meanwhile Back at the Ranch

    • July 2, 1987
    • PBS

    LeVar 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.

  • S02E43 Meanwhile Back at the Ranch

    • July 2, 1987
    • PBS

    LeVar 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.

  • S02E44 My Little Island

    • July 3, 1987
    • PBS

    LeVar 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.

  • S02E45 The Bionic Bunny Show

    • August 15, 1988
    • PBS

    In both the featured story and on the set of the show "Star Trek: the Next Generation" (which LaVar also stars on) we learn how TV shows are made and how actors in costumes and special effects can make imaginary things seem real.

  • S02E46 My Little Island

    • July 3, 1987
    • PBS

    LeVar 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.

  • S02E47 The Bionic Bunny Show

    • August 15, 1988
    • PBS

    In both the featured story and on the set of the show "Star Trek: the Next Generation" (which LaVar also stars on) we learn how TV shows are made and how actors in costumes and special effects can make imaginary things seem real.

Season 3

  • S03E01 Bugs

    • August 16, 1987
    • PBS

    With microorganisms under his belt, LeVar now goes on the lookout for insects.

  • S03E02 The Robbery at the Diamond Dog Diner

    • August 17, 1987
    • PBS

    LeVar tries to have lunch at a diner, but soon finds himself thrust into work. For some reason, he just doesn't understand luncheonette lingo.

  • S03E03 Brush

    • August 18, 1988
    • PBS

    Can 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.

  • S03E04 Bugs

    • August 16, 1987
    • PBS

    With microorganisms under his belt, LeVar now goes on the lookout for insects.

  • S03E05 The Purple Coat

    • August 19, 1988
    • PBS

    In New York again, LeVar goes to get a tailor-made jacket. In between comes a visit to the Fashion Institute of Technology.

  • S03E06 The Robbery at the Diamond Dog Diner

    • August 17, 1987
    • PBS

    LeVar tries to have lunch at a diner, but soon finds himself thrust into work. For some reason, he just doesn't understand luncheonette lingo.

  • S03E07 Barn Dance!

    • August 27, 1989
    • PBS

    LeVar 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.

  • S03E08 Brush

    • August 18, 1988
    • PBS

    Can 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.

  • S03E09 Duncan and Dolores

    • August 28, 1989
    • PBS

    There'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.

  • S03E10 The Purple Coat

    • August 19, 1988
    • PBS

    In New York again, LeVar goes to get a tailor-made jacket. In between comes a visit to the Fashion Institute of Technology.

  • S03E11 Knots on a Counting Rope

    • August 29, 1989
    • PBS

    What'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.

  • S03E12 Barn Dance!

    • August 27, 1989
    • PBS

    LeVar 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.

  • S03E13 Mummies Made in Egypt

    • August 30, 1989
    • PBS

    A camel is out of place in Boston, but LeVar rides one in preparation for a show that takes a close look at mummies. Corrine Orr narrates "Mummies Made in Egypt", a book that gives all the facts about what mummies are, how the ancient Egyptians were mummified, and what they resembled three thousand years ago.

  • S03E14 Duncan and Dolores

    • August 28, 1989
    • PBS

    There'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.

  • S03E15 Knots on a Counting Rope

    • August 29, 1989
    • PBS

    What'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.

  • S03E16 Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters

    • August 31, 1989
    • PBS

    LeVar celebrates the culture of Africa in New York City's Central Park where he learns how African drums are made. Phylicia Rashid 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.

  • S03E17 Mummies Made in Egypt

    • August 30, 1989
    • PBS

    A camel is out of place in Boston, but LeVar rides one in preparation for a show that takes a close look at mummies. Corrine Orr narrates "Mummies Made in Egypt", a book that gives all the facts about what mummies are, how the ancient Egyptians were mummified, and what they resembled three thousand years ago.

  • S03E18 Humphrey the Lost Whale: A True Story

    • July 3, 1989
    • PBS

    LeVar 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.

  • S03E19 Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters

    • August 31, 1989
    • PBS

    LeVar celebrates the culture of Africa in New York City's Central Park where he learns how African drums are made. Phylicia Rashid 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.

  • S03E20 Stay Away from the Junkyard!

    • July 4, 1989
    • PBS

    LeVar decides it's time to clean out the things cluttering up his house. What he finds is only memories of his entire life. None of this is junk, as it turns out. Michelle Mariano reads the story of a young girl visiting relatives who befriends the local junkyard manager, even though the rest of the town avoids him and spreads rumors.

  • S03E21 Humphrey the Lost Whale: A True Story

    • July 3, 1989
    • PBS

    LeVar 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.

  • S03E22 Little Nino's Pizzeria

    • July 5, 1989
    • PBS

    LaVar makes a pizza, while "The Wonder Years" star Josh Saviano reads a story about about a boy who's father runs a pizzeria.

  • S03E23 Stay Away from the Junkyard!

    • July 4, 1989
    • PBS

    LeVar decides it's time to clean out the things cluttering up his house. What he finds is only memories of his entire life. None of this is junk, as it turns out. Michelle Mariano reads the story of a young girl visiting relatives who befriends the local junkyard manager, even though the rest of the town avoids him and spreads rumors.

  • S03E24 Ludlow Laughs

    • July 6, 1989
    • PBS

    Ludlow is a big grump who never laughs or even smiles. One night he has the funniest dream ever. When he starts laughing, the whole world laughs with him. Also includes LeVar "Clowning Around", Stand Up Comic and book reviews for Pig William, Shake My Sillies Out and The Make Me Laugh! Joke Books.

  • S03E25 Little Nino's Pizzeria

    • July 5, 1989
    • PBS

    LaVar makes a pizza, while "The Wonder Years" star Josh Saviano reads a story about about a boy who's father runs a pizzeria.

  • S03E26 Dinosaur Bob and his Adventures with the Family Lazardo

    • July 7, 1989
    • PBS

    It's spring 1989, and LeVar gets in the training camp of the Oakland Athletics (back when it was Tony LaRussa, Dave Stewart, Mark McGwire and Terry Steinbach) for a program on baseball. Edward Asner reads the story of a family who meets a dinosaur who they soon find out loves to play baseball.

  • S03E27 Dive to the Coral Reefs

    • March 26, 1990
    • PBS

    Within the sea, lies a combination of scuba diving and (just slightly) snorkeling as LeVar and a friend of his dive beneath the ocean to explore a living coral reef and the life around it. Fran Brill narrates Dive to the Coral Reefs, a book that shows the life and structures of the beauty that lies beneath the sea.

  • S03E28 Ludlow Laughs

    • July 6, 1989
    • PBS

    Ludlow is a big grump who never laughs or even smiles. One night he has the funniest dream ever. When he starts laughing, the whole world laughs with him. Also includes LeVar "Clowning Around", Stand Up Comic and book reviews for Pig William, Shake My Sillies Out and The Make Me Laugh! Joke Books.

  • S03E29 Desert Giant: The World of the Saguaro Cactus

    • March 27, 1990
    • PBS

    LeVar explores the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, photographing its natural environment and learning about how animals in the desert adapt to this kind of climate. Philip Basco narrates the feature book on the natural world of the famous desert cactus, the giant saguaro.

  • S03E30 Dinosaur Bob and his Adventures with the Family Lazardo

    • July 7, 1989
    • PBS

    It's spring 1989, and LeVar gets in the training camp of the Oakland Athletics (back when it was Tony LaRussa, Dave Stewart, Mark McGwire and Terry Steinbach) for a program on baseball. Edward Asner reads the story of a family who meets a dinosaur who they soon find out loves to play baseball.

  • S03E31 Tooth-Gnasher Superflash

    • March 28, 1990
    • PBS

    LeVar, the jack of all trades, becomes a garage mechanic for this episode. Much of it fantasizes about dream cars. Then comes a real dream car, which a man has decorated, followed by stock footage of an assembly line and a piece on a solar-powered car named the Sunraycer. Victoria Jackson narrates Tooth-Gnasher Superflash, the story of a family that buys a car that is not like any other.

  • S03E31 Dive to the Coral Reefs

    • March 26, 1990
    • PBS

    Within the sea, lies a combination of scuba diving and (just slightly) snorkeling as LeVar and a friend of his dive beneath the ocean to explore a living coral reef and the life around it. Fran Brill narrates Dive to the Coral Reefs, a book that shows the life and structures of the beauty that lies beneath the sea.

  • S03E32 Desert Giant: The World of the Saguaro Cactus

    • March 27, 1990
    • PBS

    LeVar explores the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, photographing its natural environment and learning about how animals in the desert adapt to this kind of climate. Philip Basco narrates the feature book on the natural world of the famous desert cactus, the giant saguaro.

  • S03E33 Tooth-Gnasher Superflash

    • March 28, 1990
    • PBS

    LeVar, the jack of all trades, becomes a garage mechanic for this episode. Much of it fantasizes about dream cars. Then comes a real dream car, which a man has decorated, followed by stock footage of an assembly line and a piece on a solar-powered car named the Sunraycer. Victoria Jackson narrates Tooth-Gnasher Superflash, the story of a family that buys a car that is not like any other.

  • S03E34 Bored–Nothing to Do!

    • March 29, 1990
    • PBS

    Focusing on planes in this episode, LeVar takes a flying lesson and flies a plane himself. Also included: the activities of a top-notch airline in flight, as well as a look at the people who made the dream of flying come true, like Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindburgh. Alex Borg and David Hyman read the story of two boys who decide to build their own airplane, using household items, after their mother sends them outside to play when they complain of being bored.

  • S03E35 Bored–Nothing to Do!

    • March 29, 1990
    • PBS

    Focusing on planes in this episode, LeVar takes a flying lesson and flies a plane himself. Also included: the activities of a top-notch airline in flight, as well as a look at the people who made the dream of flying come true, like Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindburgh. Alex Borg and David Hyman read the story of two boys who decide to build their own airplane, using household items, after their mother sends them outside to play when they complain of being bored.

  • S03E36 Sports Pages

    • March 30, 1990
    • PBS

    Levar Burton works out in a gym and talks about the determination it takes to succeed in sports. Burton narrates two poems from "Sports Pages" by Arnold Adoff. Burton visits with a young Olympic gymnast who talks about the preparation she must go through before competition. Burton talks to a brother-sister figure skating team, the skaters show how hard they must work to achieve their goals.

  • S03E37 The Magic School Bus Inside the Earth

    • September 10, 1990
    • PBS

    Burton introduces the episode by talking about cavern and cave exploring. The featured book, "The Magic School Bus Inside The Earth", is narrated by Keshia Knight Pulliam. Eccentric Ms. Frizzle takes her students on a science field trip to the center of the earth while teaching them about geology. Burton then visits California Caverns, where he learns about stalagmites, stalactites, and other crystal formations and goes spelunking with a cave expert.

  • S03E38 Sports Pages

    • March 30, 1990
    • PBS

    Levar Burton works out in a gym and talks about the determination it takes to succeed in sports. Burton narrates two poems from "Sports Pages" by Arnold Adoff. Burton visits with a young Olympic gymnast who talks about the preparation she must go through before competition. Burton talks to a brother-sister figure skating team, the skaters show how hard they must work to achieve their goals.

  • S03E39 The Magic School Bus Inside the Earth

    • September 10, 1990
    • PBS

    Burton introduces the episode by talking about cavern and cave exploring. The featured book, "The Magic School Bus Inside The Earth", is narrated by Keshia Knight Pulliam. Eccentric Ms. Frizzle takes her students on a science field trip to the center of the earth while teaching them about geology. Burton then visits California Caverns, where he learns about stalagmites, stalactites, and other crystal formations and goes spelunking with a cave expert.