Ep 19. A Chair for My Mother

In season six episode 19 of Reading Rainbow, titled "A Chair for My Mother," viewers follow along with host LeVar Burton as he introduces us to a heartwarming story about a young girl named Rosa and her family.

The episode is centered around the book "A Chair for My Mother" by Vera B. Williams. We see Rosa and her mother, who work long hours as waitresses in a restaurant, saving up their earnings to buy a big, cozy chair for their apartment. The chair symbolizes a new beginning for their family, who lost their home in a fire and had to start over with next to nothing. With the help of their friends and community, they come together to create a comfortable home, and the chair is the ultimate expression of their hard work and perseverance.

LeVar takes viewers through the story, reading aloud and pointing out important details. He explains how the illustrations by Vera B. Williams also tell the story, showing the emotions of the characters and the importance of community support. He encourages viewers to think about the themes of the book, such as hard work, family, and determination.

Throughout the episode, LeVar also visits a furniture store and a furniture factory to learn about the process of making chairs. He talks to experts who explain the different types of chairs and their uses, and he even gets to try making a chair himself! These segments provide interesting context for the story and teach viewers about the real-world application of the book's themes.

In addition to the main story and educational segments, the episode also features some behind-the-scenes moments where we see LeVar interacting with the crew and joking around with his co-host, a puppet named Hachai. These funny moments provide a nice balance to the serious themes of the book and the educational segments.

Overall, "A Chair for My Mother" is an uplifting story with important messages about family, hard work, and the power of community. The episode of Reading Rainbow does an excellent job of bringing the story to life for viewers, and the educational segments provide added depth and context. Viewers of all ages will enjoy watching this heartwarming episode and learning about the important role that chairs play in our lives.