• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Mother's Day Gift Guide
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Mother's Day Gift Guide
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

LeVar Burton inspires Booker Elementary students

Reading Rainbow host reads to first graders


  • By Amanda Morales
  • | 2:00 p.m. May 1, 2015
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share

Educator and actor LeVar Burton made a stop at Emma E. Booker Elementary School Friday morning to read to first-grade students. The host of “Reading Rainbow” also gave students a sneak peek at new episodes for the show and read his children’s book “The Rhino who Swallowed a Storm.”

Following the reading a group of fifth-grade students had the opportunity to ask Burton questions ranging from how he began acting and why he decided to write his children’s book. Burton's visit to Sarasota is to help laucnh the Education Foundation's Classroom Grant Campaign.

 

 

LeVar Burton responds to a question from a student about what he considers to be his greatest accomplishment.
LeVar Burton responds to a question from a student about what he considers to be his greatest accomplishment.
Debbie Mondale of Kindermusik teaches student how to make sounds with their hands.
Debbie Mondale of Kindermusik teaches student how to make sounds with their hands.
Debbie Mondale demonstrates how to make sounds like a storm.
Debbie Mondale demonstrates how to make sounds like a storm.
In a crowd of students LeVar Burton responds to a high-five.
In a crowd of students LeVar Burton responds to a high-five.
Fifth-grade student Kafale Rivers asks a question.
Fifth-grade student Kafale Rivers asks a question.
LeVar Burton greets fifth-grader Kevin Garcia.
LeVar Burton greets fifth-grader Kevin Garcia.
Students raise their hands in respons to LeVar Burton asking if they have seen “Reading Rainbow.”
Students raise their hands in respons to LeVar Burton asking if they have seen “Reading Rainbow.”
“The Rhino who swallowed a storm” authored by LeVar Burton.
“The Rhino who swallowed a storm” authored by LeVar Burton.
LeVar Burton reads his book “The Rhino who swallowed a storm” to students.
LeVar Burton reads his book “The Rhino who swallowed a storm” to students.
Students snap their fingers to make the sound of rain falling.
Students snap their fingers to make the sound of rain falling.
Host of Reading Rainbow LeVar Burton reads one of his favorite books “Amazing Grace” to students.
Host of Reading Rainbow LeVar Burton reads one of his favorite books “Amazing Grace” to students.
LeVar Burton talks to students as they swarm around him.
LeVar Burton talks to students as they swarm around him.
Students raise their hands and ask questions for Burton.
Students raise their hands and ask questions for Burton.
LeVar Burton poses with 5th-grade students and Emma E. Booker Principal Dawn Clayton.
LeVar Burton poses with 5th-grade students and Emma E. Booker Principal Dawn Clayton.
Emma E. Booker Elementary Principal Dawn Clayton takes a selfie with LeVar Burton.
Emma E. Booker Elementary Principal Dawn Clayton takes a selfie with LeVar Burton.
Students gave Burton thank you cards from their classes.
Students gave Burton thank you cards from their classes.

 

Latest News

Saucy! is expanding on the Gulf Coast, with a Lakewood Ranch and Trinity location opening May 4 and 5, respectively.
  • May 7, 2026
Saucy new chicken spot opens in Lakewood Ranch
Work will soon begin on replacing anbd raising 1,500 linear feet of seawall at the Bayfront Park marina.
  • May 7, 2026
Bayfront Park marina seawall to be rebuilt
A rendering of the street level of 1260 North Palm Residences.
  • May 7, 2026
Condo tower controversy appears headed back to mediation
Beginning June 1, 2026, parking fees will be enforced in all city parking decks, such as the St. Armands Circle garage, 24/7.
  • May 7, 2026
Paid city parking hours extended and fines for violations increased

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

Photo Credit: John Revisky
  • May 7, 2026
Where Prestige Meets Performance: Redefining Real Estate Excellence
At his first time participating in Corevettes on the Circle, newcomer Bob Hanstra took home the award for Best in Show. Car enthusiasts brought 150 Corvettes of all sorts of years, models and colors for the May 2 car show on St. Armands Circle.
  • May 4, 2026
Corvettes on the Circle welcomes 150 vehicles to showcase
Casey Gonzmart Jr. explains a PowerPoint slide to the club.
  • May 3, 2026
Fifth-generation Columbia owner discusses restaurant's endurance
Members of the community can obtain plots in the garden.
  • May 2, 2026
Limelight Community Garden hosts grand opening
Katie Kephart and Shawn Tritschler get into the 80's spirit.
  • May 2, 2026
Downtown Sarasota takes a turn back to the '80s
Hugh Culverhouse Jr.
  • May 1, 2026
Philanthropist seeds matching fund with $250,000 promise

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free