Reading Rainbow Returns With a Bold Reboot: Classic PBS Show Revived 20 Years Later
If you heard someone talking about PBS, you’d likely think of its memorable child-oriented shows. Such hits include Sesame Street, Dragon Tales, Arthur, Zoboomafoo, Cyberchase, and Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. But one program that absolutely deserves to be remembered is Reading Rainbow.
A staple of many childhoods, the show centered around books and the magic of reading. It entertained, educated, and inspired thousands of young minds throughout its impressive run. Reading Rainbow, sadly, came to an official end almost 20 years ago in 2006. Now, the iconic series has made a grand return as a modern-day reboot!
The Original That Inspired Reading
Reading Rainbow debuted in 1983 with actor LeVar Burton as the host. The show aimed to encourage children to read during their summer breaks. Despite its simple concept, it quickly became a hit and a staple in most classrooms. Episodes focused on a central subject that Burton would elaborate on by reading a book. They also featured relevant cutaways and children recommending their favorite books related to the topic.
The series ran for 26 years before falling to funding troubles and changing times. Nevertheless, it acquired more than 250 awards, including the Teacher’s Choice Award. It also won 26 Emmy Awards, with ten of them being for Outstanding Show. But, in the end, it left an everlasting mark on all who watched it.
Reading Rainbow Returns After So Long
A while ago, an announcement of a modern revival of Reading Rainbow hit the Internet. The new version, however, will be a digital series available on the KidZuko YouTube channel. Real-life librarian, literary advocate, and social media personality Mychal Threets will host the series. It will also feature a variety of celebrity guests and narrators. And new episodes of this reboot will air every Saturday in October.
Coincidentally, the first episode of the Reading Rainbow reboot is out now. It taught about cats and libraries, and presented Lauren Emmons’ No Cats in the Library. Actress Jamie Chung narrated the story while actor Ebon Moss-Bachrach toured an animal shelter. Afterward, Threets constructed tiny libraries with a group of kids. And, just like with the original show, the episode concludes with children recommending books.
Final Thoughts
Admittedly, I was never really into the original PBS Reading Rainbow as a kid. I saw only a few episodes, and that was it. The shows that held my attention back then involved animated characters and live-action puppets. And any educational value I got from them was merely an unintentional benefit.
The reboot, on the other hand, honestly feels like a proper and worthwhile revival. It possesses the winning formula of its predecessor, while containing some minor changes. But the alterations present distinguish this iteration from the original without disrupting the flow. If you’re interested in what I’m talking about, watch the episode now. Don’t forget to check out the new installments every Saturday this month as well.
