Ep 6. Hill of Fire

Reading Rainbow was a popular children's educational television show that ran for 21 seasons from 1983 to 2006. The show aimed to inspire a love of reading and learning in children by featuring books and authors from a diverse range of perspectives. Each episode of Reading Rainbow focused on a particular book and included a mix of live-action segments, animations, and celebrity readings.

In season 2, episode 6, titled "Hill of Fire," host LeVar Burton introduces young viewers to the book of the same name by author Thomas P. Lewis and illustrator Joan Sandin. The book tells the true story of the erupting volcano Paricutín in Mexico and the impact it had on nearby residents.

The episode begins with a live-action segment featuring LeVar visiting a volcano in Hawaii. He explains that like many volcanoes, it's been dormant for hundreds of years and that scientists monitor it closely to ensure that it doesn't erupt unexpectedly. He talks about the power and beauty of volcanoes and explains that the subject of today's episode is about a real-life volcano that erupted in Mexico many years ago.

After the live-action segment, LeVar reads the book "Hill of Fire" while animated visualizations of the story play on the screen. The book tells the story of a young boy named Lucio and his family who lived near Paricutín and experienced the eruption firsthand. The book follows their struggles to keep their livestock safe, find food and shelter, and ultimately evacuate to safety. The illustrations bring the story to life and provide a vivid depiction of the destruction caused by the volcano.

After the reading, the episode includes a series of live-action segments where LeVar visits Mexico to learn more about Paricutín and the impact it had on local communities. He visits a school where students share their own experiences and feelings about the eruption. He learns about the impact it had on the local economy and sees firsthand the ash fields left in the volcano's wake.

Throughout the episode, LeVar emphasizes the importance of learning from real-world events and understanding how they impact people's lives. He encourages viewers to read more and to think critically about the world around them. The episode concludes with a reminder about the power of nature and the importance of being prepared for unexpected events.

In summary, Reading Rainbow season 2 episode 6 "Hill of Fire" is an educational and engaging look at the impact of a real-life volcano eruption on the people who lived through it. The episode highlights the importance of learning from real-world events and the power of reading and education. With its mix of live-action and animated segments, "Hill of Fire" is sure to captivate and inspire young viewers.