LeVar Burton Spends His Birthday Encouraging Kids To Read Banned Books In Viral Video On 'The Daily Show'

LeVar Burton, who recently was in the running for Jeopardy! host before leaving the hunt entirely, has still kept up his love for reading. The Reading Rainbow host celebrated his birthday today, and in a guest segment on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah the night before, he shared some wisdom with the future generation of young readers.

With all these book bans, @levarburton's life just got a lot more difficult pic.twitter.com/hkaa3jH0uB

— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) February 16, 2022

Many folks online praised his segment for promoting reading in any form, citing benefits to young minds who read, but there were plenty who took exception to the book choices highlighted by Burton as the video proceeded to go viral throughout the day. The book Rosa dealt with historical and Black issues, while And Tango Makes Three deals primarily with LGBTQ+ themes.

By highlighting them and encouraging kids to seek out other banned books, Burton appeared to be pushing back on restrictive censorship of books that's made headlines lately. While expressing their praise and well wishes for Burton on his birthday, several other aspects of his career were referenced, such as his role as Geordi La Forge on Star Trek.

Happy birthday to American actor, director, and children's television host LeVar Burton, born February 16, 1957, well known as Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Kunta Kinte in the ABC miniseries Roots, and as host of Reading Rainbow for 23 years. pic.twitter.com/EJG2krX4Qo

— Killer Kitsch (@killer_kitsch) February 16, 2022

For me, literacy means freedom.

LeVar Burton
Born February 16, 1957 pic.twitter.com/9l9gvApK9p

— Christopher Tounsel (@ctounsel1) February 16, 2022

Happy 65th birthday to one of my heroes, none other than LeVar Burton. His stance on literacy will always be the main reason I give him his flowers. @levarburton pic.twitter.com/5k0Y3nDXZy

— Mark W. Companion (@markpencilguy) February 16, 2022

Happy Birthday, LeVar Burton. You are a treasure, and we are forever better because you are here.

READ BOOKS!
READ BANNED BOOKS!!!!!!!!!@levarburton #LeVarBurtonIsATreasure#ReadBannedBooks pic.twitter.com/jdRkaWmnvX

— Mary J. Blige RT me TWICE! (@Blexicana6974) February 16, 2022