Reading Rainbow - Episode Guide

Episode List

Season 1

Tight Times

Episode: 1x01 | Airdate: Jun 6, 1983

LeVar visits a pet show and discovers all kinds of unusual pets, including pet rocks. He explains that even during "tight times" there are all kinds of ways to have fun and that working together and using imagination are what is important.

Miss Nelson is Back

Episode: 1x02 | Airdate: Jun 7, 1983

LeVar is surprised in this episode as he discovers a mysterious treasure hunt, which leads him to be transformed by a make up artist and then to a mysterious magical performance by Black Stone the Magician. The real surprise turns out to be a birthday party for LeVar.

Bea and Mr. Jones

Episode: 1x03 | Airdate: Jun 8, 1983

LeVar uses the costumes from Reading Rainbow to dress up like people he has always wanted to be, and points out the importance of being ourselves and striving to be all we can be.

Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain

Episode: 1x04 | Airdate: Jun 9, 1983

LeVar talks about rainy day activities, including an aerial chase of a thunderstorm and puddle hopping. Viewers also get to visit the National Center for Atmospheric research and learn about various aspects of weather and occupations that are dependent upon meteorology.

Louis the Fish

Episode: 1x05 | Airdate: Jun 10, 1983

LeVar goes on an exploration of exotic marine life, tide pools, and dolphins while he explains that pretending to be someone else can be exciting and can also be a way of discovering how wonderful it is to be yourself. LeVar visits the New England Aquarium in Boston, Ma, and the Aqua Circus of Cape Cod where trained dolphins Dixie and Dolly reside.

Digging Up Dinosaurs

Episode: 1x06 | Airdate: Jun 13, 1983

LeVar goes on in the video to explore the fascination of dinosaurs that lived and then disappeared millions of years ago. Humor is interspersed in interviews with a ranger and a paleontologist who take LeVar on a fossil tour of Dinosaur National Monument.

Liang and the Magic Paintbrush

Episode: 1x07 | Airdate: Jun 14, 1983

LeVar explores how art is integrated into many aspects of the Chinese American culture. He takes a trip to New York City's Chinatown and visits with an expert of Chinese calligraphy, a stonecarver who makes LeVar a name stamp, and a gourmet Chinese chef. He also takes viewers to the New York Institute of Technology where he is shown how to use computer graphics to create art. Then LeVar participates in a Chinese parade.

Gila Monsters Meet You at the Airport

Episode: 1x08 | Airdate: Jun 15, 1983

LeVar learns more about the West when he joins a biologist who shows him the Arizona desert and tells him about the plant and animal life—and he learns just what Gila monsters are.

Three Days on a River in a Red Canoe

Episode: 1x09 | Airdate: Jun 16, 1983

LeVar encounters fun and excitement as he goes camping with a group of young friends, and then shares his experiences of an African vacation where he rode a raft down the white water of the dangerous and uncharted Zabezi River.

The Gift of the Sacred Dog

Episode: 1x10 | Airdate: Jun 17, 1983

LeVar visits the Crow Agency in Montana and observes a special ceremony of the Old Elk family. He shows viewers how contemporary and traditional Native American life and traditions meet. Viewers also learn that some words we use have Native American roots.

Gregory, the Terrible Eater

Episode: 1x11 | Airdate: Jun 20, 1983

LeVar explores how people as well as animals need a nutritionally balanced diet. Join him on a fun-filled trip to the San Diego Zoo, Billy and Nanny's Barnyard Café and visit with a famous New York chef.

Three by the Sea

Episode: 1x12 | Airdate: Jun 21, 1983

LeVar learns that telling a story or listening to one can unlock the imagination as he watches Chicago City Limits, an improvisational performance group. Kids tell their own stories in the books they make. While walking the beach, LeVar explores the history and adventure of sea chanteys, and talks with winners of a sand sculpture contest.

Arthur's Eyes

Episode: 1x13 | Airdate: Jun 22, 1983

The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash

Episode: 1x14 | Airdate: Jun 23, 1983

A school trip to a peaceful farm turns wild when Jimmy's pet boa constrictor escapes.

Ty's One Man Band

Episode: 1x15 | Airdate: Jun 24, 1983

This episode leads LeVar on an exploration to a concert in the park where he discovers a rap-band, doo-wa group, jazz band, and salsa band-all different types of music. An a cappella singing group and the talented Ben Vereen add to the mix. Then a visit with the Reading Rainbow's music director shows how he performs magic with a music synthesizer.

Season 2

Hot-Air Henry

Episode: 2x01 | Airdate: Sep 3, 1984

LeVar experiences a colorful and exciting expedition in a hot-air balloon. He takes viewers to a hot-air ballooning event, then provides a comical look into the past at some flying machines that never made it off the ground. Finally, LeVar visits the National Space Camp where kids find out what it takes to become an astronaut.

Simon's Book

Episode: 2x02 | Airdate: Sep 4, 1984

LeVar takes viewers into the studio of the author of Simon's Book, Henry Drescher, to find out how he came up with the idea for his book and to look at the original illustrations. LeVar then visits the printing plant to watch as a book is printed, pages are cut to size, and the book is bound.

Ox-Cart Man

Episode: 2x03 | Airdate: Sep 5, 1984

LeVar is inspired by the story to visit Old Sturbridge Village, Massachusetts, a hands-on living museum where he discovers what life was like in the early 1800's. He learns about training oxen, blacksmithing, bartering, and early printing methods.

Mystery on the Docks

Episode: 2x04 | Airdate: Sep 6, 1984

LeVar takes a trip to the docks to find out about "Big Momma Blue", a crane that loads and unloads freighters, and then goes for a spin on a tugboat to find out how they are used.

A Chair for My Mother

Episode: 2x05 | Airdate: Sep 7, 1984

Just like the teamwork in this family, LeVar discovers how working together helps accomplish so much more than one individual working alone, as he joins a dance team and visits fire fighter's school.

Season 3

Paul Bunyon

Episode: 3x01 | Airdate: Jul 1, 1985

The Patchwork Quilt

Episode: 3x02 | Airdate: Jul 2, 1985

Hill of Fire

Episode: 3x03 | Airdate: Jul 3, 1985

The Tortoise and the Hare

Episode: 3x04 | Airdate: Jul 4, 1985

Perfect the Pig

Episode: 3x05 | Airdate: Jul 5, 1985

Season 4

Animal Cafe

Episode: 4x01 | Airdate: Jun 23, 1986

Alistair in Outer Space

Episode: 4x02 | Airdate: Jun 24, 1986

Feelings

Episode: 4x03 | Airdate: Jun 25, 1986

Watch the Stars Come Out

Episode: 4x04 | Airdate: Jun 26, 1986

Viewers visit Ellis Island, the port of entry into America for millions of immigrants who came with hopes and dreams-and see footage of immigrants arriving. A.J. Annello, who works for the company that restored the Statue of Liberty, gives LeVar a tour and tells about why and how Lady Liberty has been restored.

Season 1

Season 2

Season 3

Season 4

Season 5

Season 6

Season 7

Season 8

Season 9

Season 10

Season 11

Season 12

Season 13

Season 14

Season 15

Season 16

Season 17