Two seconds into the bubbling synth sounds of its theme song will have a child of the 1980s or ‘90s exclaiming “Reading Rainbow!” Such is the beloved and ubiquitous nature of the classic children’s literary television show that introduced millions of kids to the wonder and importance of books. Not only did the series insist on having kids speak to kids about their favorite stories, but Reading Rainbow introduced the world to one of the most adored television hosts of all time in LeVar Burton. Thanks to his direct, non-patronizing, and, most importantly, kind delivery, Burton became a conduit to learning for children of every background—an entrancing guide to subjects unknown.

**Stay after our 3:40pm screening on Saturday, March 30 for a post-screening discussion with Rodney Stringfellow & Alesha Lackey.

Rodney is a Board Member of the Charlotte Film Society and is a screenwriter, filmmaker and adjunct professor in film studies at UNC Charlotte. Previously, he taught screenwriting at Sarah Lawrence College. Rodney has written for Nickelodeon, PBS Kids, Disney Channel, BBC and Sesame Workshop and has been nominated for three Daytime Emmys.

Alesha Lackey is a Branch Manager with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library at the Allegra Westbrooks Regional location. The bulk of her thirteen years in librarianship has been in children’s services. She has worked at Union County Public Library and was an elementary school media specialist with Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. Alesha believes that a love of reading can be the foundation to lifelong learning.