Ep 1. The Wonderful Tower of Watts

Reading Rainbow season 13 episode 1 is titled "The Wonderful Tower of Watts". In this first episode of the thirteenth season, the show explores the story of a community in inner-city Los Angeles that comes together to create a unique and inspiring structure called the "Tower of Watts".

Host LeVar Burton takes viewers on a journey to see the tower and learn about its creation. The tower was built with the cooperation of the Watts community and professional artists, who worked together to create something that would inspire and uplift the neighborhood.

Through interviews with members of the community, including artist John Outterbridge and architect Roland Wiley, viewers will learn about the creative vision behind the tower and the importance of community involvement in its creation. They will also get a firsthand look at the individual components of the tower, including a giant metal sculpture of a bird, a reflective pool, and a series of colorful murals.

As always, Reading Rainbow weaves the story of the tower into a broader discussion of literacy and reading. Through interviews with community members and archival footage of the tower's creation, viewers will learn about the power of reading to inspire creativity and build community.

Along the way, the show features several book recommendations that tie into the theme of community building. Viewers will hear about titles like "The Patchwork Quilt" by Valerie Flournoy, "The Story of Ruby Bridges" by Robert Coles, and "The House That Crack Built" by Clark Taylor, all of which explore themes of community, resilience, and cooperation.

Overall, this episode of Reading Rainbow offers a unique and inspiring look at a community coming together to create something beautiful and meaningful. Through its focus on literacy and community building, it reminds viewers of the importance of reading and creativity in our everyday lives.