Young readers can once again be like butterflies in the sky.
PBS classic Reading Rainbow, the beloved children’s literacy show originally hosted by LeVar Burton, is making its long-awaited return this fall — nearly two decades after its final episode in 2006.
This time, the torch is being passed to librarian and digital creator Mychal Threets, known online as “Mychal the Librarian.” A literacy advocate with a growing fanbase on TikTok, Instagram, and Threads, Threets has captured hearts with his colorful storytelling, mental health openness, and viral library interactions.
The revival was announced on Reading Rainbow’s Instagram alongside Threets’ personal channels and Buffalo Toronto Public Media, which launched the original series in 1983.
“Take a look, it’s in a book,” the post read. “After nearly 20 years… Reading Rainbow is returning to motivate, help, and encourage kids to become avid readers with new episodes, new friends, new projects, and of course… new books!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7es7qdWVnU
New Platform, Same Mission
The reboot will premiere Saturday, October 4, at 10 a.m. ET on KidZuko — a Sony Pictures Television YouTube channel for kids — with new episodes dropping weekly through October. Episodes will also stream on Reading Rainbow’s website.
Much like the original, which won a Peabody Award and 26 Daytime Emmys across 21 seasons and 155 episodes, the new version aims to spark children’s imaginations through books, guest narrators, and creative storytelling.
The reboot will feature celebrity appearances from John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Jamie Chung, Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear), and Dancing With the Stars performers Rylee Arnold and Ezra Sosa.
Mychal Threets Carries the Legacy Forward
Threets has often credited Reading Rainbow and LeVar Burton for inspiring his path as both a reader and a librarian:
“I am a reader, I am a librarian because LeVar Burton and Reading Rainbow so powerfully made us believe we belong in books, we belong everywhere,” he shared on Threads. “I am so happy for all of us that Reading Rainbow is returning! YOU all did this!”
In past interviews, Threets has also highlighted the power of books in his own life, calling them “a constant friend in the battle with your own mind.”
Despite facing online criticism about his voice, appearance, and openness around mental health, Threets has built a strong community of supporters. His announcement about hosting Reading Rainbow received over 95,000 likes on TikTok, with fans flooding the comments with excitement.
Looking Ahead
While LeVar Burton won’t be returning as host, some fans are still hopeful he might cameo in the new series. Regardless, Threets’ enthusiasm and advocacy for inclusivity, mental health, and literacy position him as a fitting successor to carry the show into a new generation.
Reading Rainbow returns October 4 with new episodes premiering weekly on KidZuko.