My Friend LeVar

Edmond draws from personal experience for this story of a Black child whose love of books is nurtured by LeVar Burton, host of TV’s Reading Rainbow.
Mom, who presents white, and Dad, who is Black, introduce the young narrator to “someone special,” whom they know “from a famous TV show called Roots.” Entranced, the child is inspired to seek out the books LeVar recommends, from Ezra Jack Keats’ The Snowy Day to Jeanette Winter’s Follow the Drinking Gourd. The narrative culminates with the child meeting LeVar by chance in the grocery store; they hug, Mom takes a picture, and the child proudly shows off the photo in school the next day. Reading Rainbow isn’t mentioned by name until the backmatter; many adults will easily recognize the show, but for younger readers, Edmond includes a helpful blurb about Burton and the books and TV episodes referenced. Though these stories let Edmond see himself reflected on the page, he observes that many of them were by non-Black creators; in his powerful author’s note, he stresses the importance of spotlighting books by Black authors and artists, “because representation in the hand that holds the pen is just as important as representation that is seen on the page.” Chung’s cartoon illustrations effectively depict the young narrator’s flights of fancy, from quilting alongside LeVar to sailing the high seas with him. While the book is light on plot, Edmond’s reverence for Burton, his impact, and the magic of childhood memories is palpable.
A meaningful ode to a literary hero and youthful imagination.
—Kirkus Reviews

A little boy enjoys watching the television show Reading Rainbow hosted by LeVar Burton and views Burton as a friend who shows him new people, places, and experiences. In the young child’s mind, Burton is right there with him while he listens to the stories shared on the television. One day, the child and his mother happen to see Burton while shopping in a local store. The mom fortunately has a camera with her and snaps a photo of the little boy and Burton. The boy is thrilled to meet his friend from the television and brings the photo to class to show everyone. He finds out that many of the other children have watched Reading Rainbow as well and are also “friends” with LeVar Burton. They share their favorite episodes as well. This book is based upon the author’s chance encounter with LeVar Burton when he was a little boy. The real photo is reproduced at the end of the book along with a brief biography of LeVar Burton and information about how to watch Reading Rainbow and which episodes were referenced in the book. The illustrations are soft and gentle, showing how a child might be inspired in their imagination by the stories and information shared in each Reading Rainbow episode to the point where they feel as if Burton is right there with them. Adults who grew up watching Reading Rainbow will enjoy sharing this book with the children in their lives and introducing a whole new generation to the joys of reading and imagination. “But you don’t have to take my word for it!”
—Children’s Literature

A celebration of the children’s television program Reading Rainbow and its host, LeVar Burton, this picture book opens an opportunity to share a childhood memory and a love of literature with the next generation. Author Ezra Edmond recounts the many adventures Reading Rainbow took him on—eating flapjacks like Paul Bunyan, painting eggs, sewing a quilt—and a list at the back collects the referenced books and their respective episodes, offering adult reading helpers a way to continue hte adventure.
—Foreword Reviews