Reading Rainbow
Simon's Book
TV Flash files “Simon's Book” as hour 17 of 155 in the TV Flash guide — Reading Rainbow (1983–2006) on PBS, season 2, episode 2, aired 1984-09-04, 30 min.
From the desk
How this hour is filed
This leaf is S02E02: listed hour 17 of 155 in the Reading Rainbow guide, hour 2 of 5 in season 2. It aired 1984-09-04 (30 min). The listed hour before it is “Hot-Air Henry” (S02E01). Next is “Ox-Cart Man” (S02E03).
Catalog log
Broadcast listing — not a TV Flash recap.
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.
Viewer FAQ
Where does Simon's Book sit in the Reading Rainbow guide?
S02E02 is listed hour 17 of 155 — hour 2 of 5 in season 2, season 2 episode 2.
When did Reading Rainbow S02E02 air?
Simon's Book aired 1984-09-04 and is listed at 30 minutes.
Is it only for kids?
PBS literacy as after-school adventure. Adults return for Burton and the catchphrase. The Kickstarter revival proved nobody actually outgrew the librarian on camera.
In the series
Why this series still plays
LeVar Burton takes you into a book, then kids review it, then the catchphrase: you don't have to take his word for it. PBS literacy as after-school adventure, with field-trip segments that treated reading as a passport. A generation's librarian on camera — the Kickstarter revival proved nobody actually outgrew him.
The catchphrase is the contract. PBS, premiere 1983 through 2006: LeVar Burton introduces books, field trips, and kid reviews that sell the joy of reading — you don't have to take his word for it. Reading Rainbow, from Twila Liggett, Cecily Truett Lancit, and Larry Lancit, made literacy appointment television. After-school adventure treated reading as a passport: theme song as permanent childhood earworm, multiple Daytime Emmys, Burton as a generation's librarian on camera. If you came for a blotter item about a…
Filed against
- LeVar Burton as Host
LeVar Burton’s breakthrough as young Kunta Kinte on Roots made miniseries history — eight ABC nights, event television that forced a nation to watch and talk together. Later Star Trek: TNG and Reading Rainbow sealed educator-icon status.…