Burton, LeVar

In a segment featuring the book Follow the drinking gourd, host LeVar Burton explores the slave roots of the African American culture.

Presents the title work in which a little boy and his father, banished from the town for making mischief, are welcomed back when they find a way to make the dreaded giant Abiyoyo disappear, and includes a look at ways in which a story can be told with music, and reviews of related books.

Presents selections from the title work which features poets' representations of seven geographical regions of the United States, and includes visits with youngsters from around the country, and reviws of related books. The DVD comes in a backpack with a copy of the book and an activity guide.

Follows a group of runaway slaves as they journey north along the Underground Railroad by following directions in a song entitled "The Drinking Gourd." Also celebrates the road to freedom paved by the Underground Railroad and introduces students to the history, heroes, stories and music of the African American culture which emerged from slavery.

A reading of the book, "Mufaro's beautiful daughters" by author John Steptoe. Mufaro's two beautiful daughters, one bad-tempered, one kind and sweet, go before the king, who is choosing a wife. Includes other segments on African drums and the dance troupe, Forces of Nature.

Presents the title work in which Grandma tells about her mama's journey to America by boat years ago, and includes footage of immigrants arriving at Ellis Island, a tour of the restored Statue of Liberty, and reviews of related books.

Barbara Feldon reads the featured book The lifecycle of the honeybee by Paula Z. Hogan about how bees make honey. Host LeVar Burton visits a beekeeper and examines a beehive close up. Viewers will learn how honey is extracted from combs and how important the queen bee is to a well-organized hive. Featured book reviews are The reason for a flower by Ruth Heller, The lady and the spider by Faith McNulty, and Going buggy by Peter and Connie Roop.

Runaway slaves journey north along the Underground Railroad by following directions in a song "The drinking gourd". Other segments include: LeVar talks about slavery: LeVar introduces students to the history, heroes, stories, and music of the African American culture which emerged from slavery ; Songs about slavery: the a capella group, Sweet Honey in the Rock, perform and share their historical knowledge of slavery.

A rescued goose, having broken the painted eggs intended for the Easter festival in Moskva, lays thirteen marvelously colored eggs. Also shows an egg-decorating demonstration and visits with Patricia Polacco as she discusses what inspired her to write this story.