MY FRIEND LEVAR

Edmond draws from personal experience for this story of a Black child whose love of books is nurtured by LeVar Burton, host of TV’s Reading Rainbow.

Mom, who presents white, and Dad, who is Black, introduce the young narrator to “someone special,” whom they know “from a famous TV show called Roots.” Entranced, the child is inspired to seek out the books LeVar recommends, from Ezra Jack Keats’ The Snowy Day to Jeanette Winter’s Follow the Drinking Gourd. The narrative culminates with the child meeting LeVar by chance in the grocery store; they hug, Mom takes a picture, and the child proudly shows off the photo in school the next day. Reading Rainbow isn’t mentioned by name until the backmatter; many adults will easily recognize the show, but for younger readers, Edmond includes a helpful blurb about Burton and the books and TV episodes referenced. Though these stories let Edmond see himself reflected on the page, he observes that many of them were by non-Black creators; in his powerful author’s note, he stresses the importance of spotlighting books by Black authors and artists, “because representation in the hand that holds the pen is just as important as representation that is seen on the page.” Chung’s cartoon illustrations effectively depict the young narrator’s flights of fancy, from quilting alongside LeVar to sailing the high seas with him. While the book is light on plot, Edmond’s reverence for Burton, his impact, and the magic of childhood memories is palpable.

A meaningful ode to a literary hero and youthful imagination.