By: Renae Richardson
There is a generation of children who grew up learning to explore new words through literary navigation. Reading Rainbow espoused,
“We could go anywhere… We could be anything. Just take a look, it’s in a book. It’s Reading Rainbow.”
However, no matter how prolific and instrumental bedrocks of learning become, they too have their time in the sun and eventually recede into memory. Rarely do those offerings that seem to melt back into the mist of recollection experience revival. Reading Rainbow was one of the rare exceptions. Recent headlines indicate there is even more on the way.
Back to Beginnings
Ironically, historical accounts note that Reading Rainbow was born out of declining literacy rates amid the rise of technology. As reported by Mental Floss,
“In the late 1970s and early 1980s, there was growing concern that children were becoming so captivated by both television and warm weather during their summer vacation that they had abandoned reading altogether. When they returned to school in the fall, their literacy skills had noticeably plummeted.”
Collaborative innovation—creative strategizing to nourish something so essential—gave rise to what became Reading Rainbow, hosted by a young LeVar Burton.
LeVar Burton. Image Source: XTR (Courtesy of People)
Magic Awakened
As an avid viewer during its original run, the experience felt nothing short of magical. New worlds, adventures, and expansive horizons unfolded under Burton’s vibrant and inviting presence. As Mental Floss further notes,
The series ultimately ran for 150 episodes over 26 years, making it one of the most enduring children’s programs ever to air on public television. If Sesame Street taught children the alphabet, Reading Rainbow cultivated a love for words, paragraphs, and narrative structure.
A Quiet Premiere, A Loud Response
Mychal “the Librarian” Threets. Image Source. PBS (Courtesy of Nerdist)
Without thunderous fanfare, the one-of-a-kind show returned in 2025. According to Blexmedia,
The reboot quietly premiered with four digital episodes on Sony’s KidZuko YouTube channel, amassing nearly 4.8 million views. That strong response paved the way for an expanded 24-episode order.
For those who may have missed the 2025 return, the revival was led by Mychal Threets, a librarian from the San Francisco Bay Area whose passion for books has earned him widespread recognition. While it may seem unusual for a librarian to reach such visibility, it is passion that bridges that gap. Threets demonstrated that well before being tapped to helm Reading Rainbow. As noted by the San Francisco Chronicle,
He rose to internet prominence by sharing motivational videos about reading, ultimately amassing nearly two million followers across platforms.
It is a vivid reminder that when one pursues purpose with authenticity, opportunity often follows.
A Little More to Feed On
Additional reporting by Blexmedia indicates that Ms. Rachel (Kristen McGregor of Sesame Street fame) will serve as showrunner and executive producer. Production duties are being handled by Sony Pictures Television’s Embassy Row alongside Buffalo Toronto Public Media. While the series has momentum, it is still being shopped to television and streaming platforms, with negotiations reportedly underway.
Magic Always Wins
Cheers to something magical finding its way back into cultural relevance—and to the generations that will be inspired to rediscover the enduring joy of reading. As the iconic lyrics so beautifully remind us:
Original article“Butterfly in the sky, I can go twice as high. Take a look, it’s in a book. It’s Reading Rainbow.”
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