BY KAREN YOUNG
See and hear LeVar Burton read I Like Gum in person at Dylan’s Candy Bar on June 14 at noon.
To say that LeVar Burton’s career has been both eclectic and influential would be an understatement as he has touched many facets of pop culture with his roles — first, as ‘Kunta Kinte’ in the groundbreaking 1977 miniseries Roots; followed by ‘Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge’ on Star Trek: The Next Generation; and currently, as ‘Dean Haley’ who provides a little comic relief opposite Eric McCormack on the TNT drama, Perception.
However, what has endeared him to generations is his role as the host of the multi Emmy award-winning children’s television program, Reading Rainbow. Launched in June of 1983, it encourages reading among young children through peer book reviews and celebrity narrators. It is the third-longest running children’s series in PBS history, after Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and Sesame Street.
To commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Reading Rainbow, there’s going to be a sweet celebration this Friday, June 14, at noon at Dylan’s Candy Bar at the Original Farmers Market. Burton, who is a Sherman Oaks resident, will be doing a special reading of the book, I Like Gum. This event is open to the public and children are welcome. Free candy will be given to all.
Free candy at Dylan’s Candy Bar.
Moving with the times, there’s now a Reading Rainbow App (iPad and Kindle) where it continues to engage children to read in this new digital age. Within 36 hours of its release in June 2012, it became the number one educational App in the country. It continues to win awards and acclaim, most recently being named one of the top APPs by PC MAGAZINE.
Reading Rainbow has even gained the attention of late night television — check out this tribute by Jimmy Fallon as Jim Morrison singing the “Reading Rainbow” theme song.
“Reading Rainbow always had an exceptional reputation for excellent children’s programming,” said Burton. ” I would like to think we are continuing to keep that name alive by bringing together the best and most enriching content to children but now in a new digital way.”
Reading Rainbow Celebration with LeVar Burton at Dylan’s Candy Bar, The Original Farmers Market across from The Grove.6333 West Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90036
About Karen Young
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