LeVar Burton Tells ‘Daily Show’ Audience: ‘Read the Books They Don’t Want You To’

Appearing remotely on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah Wednesday night and in response to the book bans occurring throughout the country, LeVar Burton told Noah and the audience to “read the books they don’t want you to.”

The star of Star Trek: the Next Generation and former host of Reading Rainbow appeared at the close of the show appearing in room similar to the one on Reading Rainbow except as he shows three different books for kids, which have been banned or challenged in efforts by adults to restrict what all children can access and read.

“I am so excited to read with you today.Our first selection is called Rosa, and it’s the story of Rosa Parks,” he says.

Burton then explains that “as it turns out that book is banned because reading about segregation is divisive, but since almost any book with black people these days is considered divisive, here’s one that doesn’t have any people in it at all.”

The second title he picks up is called And Tango Makes Three, a picturebook about two male penguins who adopt and raise a baby penguin. “Both penguins are boys. Well, I’m told that that book is also banned because of sexual perversion, which is weird because there’s no sex in the book at all.”

The final book is Dr. Seuss’  Hop on Pop, which was involved in a 2014 challenge, revealed by the Toronto Public Library in a release of its annual review committee notes. The request to ban the children’s book was made by a local father for “encouraging children to use violence against their fathers.”

Burton shakes his head, ““You got to be kidding me! All right. There are plenty of books to choose from. But you know what? No. Read the books they don’t want you to. That’s where the good stuff is.”

Police sirens wail and Burton starts to fade yelling, “Oh shit. They’re coming. Read banned books!” he says before disappearing off screen.”