Reading Rainbow Returns Featuring TikTok Librarian Mychal Threets as Host

Digital Revival of 'Reading Rainbow' Set to Captivate a New Generation

The beloved children’s series “Reading Rainbow” is making a highly anticipated return after nearly two decades, now featuring a modern twist with a digital-only format. This reboot, which aims to reignite a passion for reading among children, will debut on the KidZuko YouTube channel on Saturday at 10 a.m. ET, with four new episodes slated for release. Subsequent episodes will continue to premiere weekly at the same time.

The series will be hosted by Mychal Threets, a librarian from the San Francisco Bay Area who has garnered attention on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, under the moniker “Mychal the Librarian.” Threets hopes to revive the spirit of the show while offering fresh content to engage today’s youth. Viewers can expect appearances from a diverse lineup of celebrity guests, including musician John Legend, actress Gabrielle Union, and actors Adam DeVine and Jamie Chung. The roster will also feature energetic performances from professionals associated with “Dancing with the Stars,” like Rylee Arnold and Ezra Sosa.

Threets, who has expressed deep admiration for the show’s original host LeVar Burton, credits “Reading Rainbow” with shaping his own journey as a reader and librarian. He has echoed sentiments of gratitude regarding the show’s legacy and the role it played in inspiring countless individuals to embrace the written word.

The KidZuko channel, which is a brand owned by Sony Pictures Television, has also released a trailer for the series, further piquing interest. Additionally, episodes of the reboot will be available on the official “Reading Rainbow” website, allowing viewers to easily access this new chapter in the series’ history.

Originally launched in July 1983 on PBS, “Reading Rainbow” was designed to motivate children to cultivate a love for reading during their summer breaks. The program’s impact was profound, earning accolades such as a Peabody Award and over twenty Daytime Emmy Awards during its run. The original iteration of “Reading Rainbow” concluded its 21-season journey in 2006, leaving behind a legacy that continues to resonate.

As the reboot approaches, anticipation builds around how it will modernize the classic formula while maintaining the core mission of fostering a love of literacy. With a fresh host and a contemporary platform, “Reading Rainbow” stands poised to inspire a new generation of readers.