Children taking a shortcut by walking along a railroad track find excitement and danger when a train approaches.

A young girl describes her various relatives and the foods they bring to the annual family picnic.

A young girl eagerly awaits a coming rainstorm to bring relief from the oppressive summer heat. "Come on, Rain!" Tess pleads to the sky as listless vines and parched plants droop in the endless heat. Then the clouds roll in and the rain pours. And Tess, her friends, and their mothers join in together in a rain dance to celebrate the shower that renews both body and spirit.

Little Bill and his friends, avid fans of the television show "Space Explorers," clamor to get the video game version, but they find that they have more fun using their imagination while playing outside.

In segregated 1950s Nashville, a young African American girl braves a series of indignities and obstacles to get to one of the few integrated places in town: the public library.

While trying to raise enough money for a telescope, Little Bill makes a discovery about generosity and the needs of others.

The daughter of a slave forms a gospel singing group and goes on tour to raise money to save Fisk University.

Emily would like to be able to draw, but her trees look like mashed potatoes and her houses like ketchup bottles until she tries something different.

Messy Bessey discovers that with proper care her garden will flourish.

Using scraps cut from the family's old clothing, Tanya helps her grandmother and mother make a beautiful quilt that tells the story of her family's life.