PBS announces relaunch of ‘Reading Rainbow’ on YouTube
Sep 30, 2025, 5:42 PM | Updated: Oct 1, 2025, 10:21 am
Do you know the “Reading Rainbow” song? I do.
Reading Rainbow!
Butterfly in the sky
I can go twice as high
Take a look, it’s in a book,
A Reading Rainbow!
I can go anywhere
Friends to know, and ways to grow
A Reading Rainbow!
I can be anything
Take a look, It’s in a book
A Reading Rainbow! Reading Raiiiinnnnnnbowwwwwwww!
PBS announced Monday that “Reading Rainbow” will return to television with new host Mychal Threets after nearly two decades off the air.
The beloved children’s show originally ran from 1983 to 2006 with host LeVar Burton and became one of PBS’s most-watched programs in network history.
Threets, a California librarian who gained popularity through TikTok videos about library experiences and literacy importance, has served as PBS’ resident librarian since 2024.
The revamped series will feature new books and celebrity guests including “Dancing with the Stars” dancers Rylee Arnold and Ezra Sosa, plus “The Bear” actor Ebon Moss-Bachrach. Celebrity readers will include John Legend and Adam Devine. The program highlights literacy’s importance while showcasing diverse topics, cultures and experiences through award-winning children’s books.
Did you watch “Reading Rainbow” as a kid?
Read more about the new “Reading Rainbow” here. Watch the trailer for Mychal and “Reading Rainbow” here:
