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Reading Rainbow Fades Away

guest blog entry by Danielle Dunaway

The book has closed on the children’s program, “Reading Rainbow.” The show, hosted by LeVar Burton, has been on the air for 26 years. According to NPR, the decision to cancel the show comes from a lack of funding due to not having the money to renew their broadcast rights and a change in how educational programming is used to teach children. The Department of Education, under the Bush Administration, wanted to see programs focus more on phonics and spelling. Reading Rainbow taught neither.

However, teaching the joys of reading is just as important as being taught how to read. It may be even more critical now that technology and the pace in which we live have progressed since Reading Rainbow was first aired. We get so caught up in teaching the technical basics and teaching to tests that we lose the imagination and creativity that make learning more fluid and less of a challenge. Reading Rainbow did that with their book reviews from children, readings and mini educational adventures.

A quick glance at some youtube videos brought back the memories. When I was younger, after school activities included Barbie, books and PBS. Reading Rainbow was ritualistically watched in addition to “Bill Nye the Science Guy” and “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?” These shows did a great job of making school subjects adventurous and interactive. I remember tectonic plates, and my nose is still in a book. 

Children need to see that reading can be just as entertaining as watching a story unfold on their favorite show. Television has lost an educational broadcast rarity. But don’t take my word for it…

Tell us readers, did you watch Reading Rainbow after school? Or maybe with your own kids?

"Butterfly in the sky, I can go twice as high, take a look, it's in a book, a Reading Rainbow...."

Barnes and Noble will contribute a percentage of every sale made to customers who present a special BookFair voucher from LV-NRV. Featuring live music by Matthew Rea and book-signings by local authors Fred First and Tim Poland.
Where: Barnes and Noble, 110 Conston Avenue, Christiansburg  
Contact: Literacy Volunteers, 540-382-7262
When: Aug. 29 and 30, 2009, All Day

Woodstock:  The Oral History. By Joel Makower.
Excelsior Editions, State University of New York Press
$19.95, 361 pages

Reviewed by Cyndi Young-Preston
 
It was supposed to be a music, arts and crafts festival drawing 50-75,000 people.  It morphed into a 500,000-person rock behemoth and spawned a legend that’s still fresh 40 years later. Woodstock. Also called the Aquarian Exposition. August 15-17, 1969.

It inspired movies, books, music.  In fact, Makower’s book was originally published in 1989; this is the updated 40th anniversary edition about the mega-concert that almost didn’t happen because site after site fell through.  Then the concert moved to the farm of Max and Miriam Yasger in Bethel, New York.

This story of Woodstock is told through the words of people who planned the concert, played in it, worked for it, attended it and tried to block it.  There’s no narrative at all ... just dialogue that tells the complete story of how two rich guys, a druggie and a record producer somehow got together to put on a show in a field.

The real Woodstock was a financial disaster, a drugfest, an orgy and a rain-drenched mess.  But the aura of Woodstock ... the essence of it ... has never been forgotten or surpassed.
The subject matter and the language in Woodstock:  The Oral History are frequently coarse and explicit.  A couple of the pictures are not for young eyes.  Regardless, this book is a superb vehicle to visit (or revisit) a sensation that defined the Sixties and changed a generation forever.

Select different books to take home and enjoy.
Where:  Christiansburg Recreation Center, 1600 N. Franklin St., Christiansburg
Cost:  $1  
Contact:  (540) 382-2349
When: August 27, 2009, 5 p.m.

Have a piece of cake to celebrate all the authors born during this month. To get a piece, patrons will have to correctly answer at least one question from a list of "Who Am I?" questions.
Where:  Jessie Peterman Library, 321 W. Main St., Floyd  
Contact:  540-382-6965
When: Wednesday, August 26, 2009, All Day

Here's a few hints for you: Alfred Lord Tennyson, Alex Haley, Danielle Steel, H.P. Lovecraft, Herman Melville, and Ray Bradbury are all August born authors.

Ellen Crosby and Cantos booksellers invite you to a reading and book signing of “Riesling Retribution,” a Virginia Wine Country mystery. Books will be available for sale.
When: 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday, August 23, 2009
Where: Chateau Morrisette, 287 Winery Road, Floyd
Contact: Chateau Morrisette, 593-2865, info@thedogs.com, www.thedogs.com

Ellen Crosby will be signing copies of her books including “Riesling Retribution”.

When: 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, August 22, 2009
Where: Hickory Hill Vineyards & Winery, 1722 Hickory Cove Lane, Moneta
Contact: Cantos Booksellers, 342-0100, www.hickoryhillvineyards.com

The local author will read from his new book, “What We Hold in Our Hands: a Slow Reader.” The book consists of 100 short pieces including local, personal, regional and global interest items.

When: 7 p.m., Thursday, August 20, 2009
Where: Blacksburg Library, 200 Miller St., Blacksburg
Contact: 382-6965

The group will be discussing, “A Bear Called Paddington,” by Michael Bond. For mothers and daughters ages 9 to 12.

When: 6 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Where: Blacksburg Library, 200 Miller St., Blacksburg
Cost: Free
Contact: 382-6965

“Freelance Writing in This Market” with Gene Marrano.
When: 7 to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Where: Center in the Square, 2nd Floor Galleries, Roanoke
Cost: Free
Contact: 540-224-1205, rhale@theartscouncil.org