Reading Rainbow (PBS)

READING RAINBOW has been introducing books to kids since the early '80s. The series "promotes reading as a way children can sample the world around them." Host and executive producer LeVar Burton explores a wide range of social topics, including the United Nations' children's initiatives, holidays celebrated by other cultures, and worker's rights. By using the combination of a documentary/ magazine-style format and the wonderful illustrated books that populate the show's shelves, Burton manages to open young minds to the world.

Kids of all colors, races, and ethnicities speak about their favorite books for a period during each program. It's a treat to watch the kids speak on their subjects. They run the gamut: self-confident, nervous, passionate, awkward, graceful, and eloquent. Hearing kids speak this passionately about books that they love is inspirational. It all adds up to a gentle, diverse, and effective educational program that can be enjoyed by all kids -- and their parents.

Many people know Burton from the series Star Trek: The Next Generation, on which he had the key role of Geordi La Forge. Others might recognize him from his gut-wrenching performance in the television adaptation of Roots. But the imprint that Burton has made on a generation of readers through Reading Rainbow is arguably his most important project to date.