Seasoned actor and longtime advocate for childhood literacy LeVar Burton has donated 1,100 copies of his book, The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm to the Pasadena Unified School District. Leading talent agency WME, which represents LeVar Burton, has donated an additional $20,000 towards student’s mental health. The Pasadena Educational Foundation is honored to have helped with the distribution of these books to PUSD elementary school classrooms, inspiring a love of reading and resilience through storytelling.
Every second grade class within the district received copies of the book with elementary schools such as Hamilton, Madison, Jackson, and San Rafael being among the recipients. Classrooms gathered together to read The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm, using the book as a platform to talk about their experiences during and after the Eaton Fire. In thank you notes written for LeVar Burton students have said:
“I liked the lessons that I learned from the story. One of the lessons that I learned is that small friends can help you with big things.”
“I also like your story because it had very powerful life lessons like to never give up on yourself and keep trying like Rhino.”
“I also liked that there was a small bird on every page.”
“I read it one hundred and fifty six times already.”
Thank you LeVar Burton for your generosity and support for the community. As some of our students have lost their own homes, their own books, moments like these are a step forwards towards normalcy and a continued love for reading.
