In an exciting revival of a cherished children’s television show, Reading Rainbow is set to return for a new 24-episode season, this time with Mychal Threets, affectionately known online as Mychal the Librarian, at the helm. This announcement arrives nearly two decades after the series aired its final episode in 2006. The new season aims to continue the programme’s legacy of promoting reading and literacy among children.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/mag-rollout-threets-headshot2-1626-0e6814e3f1ee4b8aa00444db1060f5f0.jpg)
Threets, a well-known librarian and media figure, shared the news on his Instagram account on March 23. He expressed his enthusiasm for the revival alongside a post featuring a screenshot from The Hollywood Reporter, which broke the story. While the excitement builds around the relaunch, details on where the latest episodes will be available for viewing remain unclear.
The revival comes after a brief four-episode online series that debuted last year, which was available exclusively on KidZuko, a children’s YouTube channel operated by Sony Pictures Television (SPT). This initial run featured various celebrity guest narrators, including Jamie Chung, Gabrielle Union, and John Legend, and aimed to capture the hearts of both a new generation of viewers and the original fans of Reading Rainbow.
Discussions about reviving the iconic PBS series have been ongoing for several years, according to Tom Calderone, CEO of Buffalo Toronto Public Media (BTPM). The collaboration with Sony Pictures Television has been a crucial element in bringing this vision to fruition. Calderone noted, “We’ve been working for several years to bring Reading Rainbow back, and Michael Davies and Embassy Row have been the ideal partners to help make that vision a reality.”
The series first graced children’s television in 1983, with the inspirational LeVar Burton as its host. During its 26-year run, Reading Rainbow became a staple in classrooms, being touted as the most-watched PBS programme in educational settings. It played a significant role in shaping media literacy for many youths, emphasising the importance of reading.
Reflecting on his influential role, Burton shared his pride in being a symbol of literacy advocacy in an interview earlier this year. He noted, “As a Black man who comes from people for whom it would have been illegal to have the facility of literacy, to have grown up and become a symbol of literacy, an acknowledged advocate for literacy, especially childhood literacy in this country, that’s no small thing in my view.” His remarks underscore the show’s enduring significance and the impact it has had on generations.
Despite the legacy of the original series, the team behind the revival is keen to evolve the programme to meet the needs and interests of contemporary audiences. Calderone stated that the enthusiastic response to the initial four episodes affirms the need for this evolution. He emphasised that making the series relevant for today’s children is both essential and meaningful.
In addition to the new season, KidZuko will continue to air exclusive shortened episodes featuring a range of new celebrity guests and children’s books. This ongoing initiative aims to keep the spirit of Reading Rainbow alive and foster a love of reading in young viewers.
As anticipation grows for the comeback of Reading Rainbow, many hope it will rekindle the passion for reading in another generation of children. The original series created a legacy that celebrated literature and encouraged young audiences to explore the joy of reading, and the return of this beloved programme seems to promise a similarly impactful experience. With an established host and a dedicated team behind it, the revival is poised to be a significant milestone in the history of children’s television.