Nearly two decades after its final episode, Reading Rainbow is making a joyful return—this time for the digital age. The beloved children’s series, which first aired in 1983, has relaunched on the KidZuko YouTube channel with a fresh host and a familiar mission: to help children fall in love with reading.
The new host, Mychal Threets, is a librarian and literacy advocate known to millions online as “Mychal the Librarian.” With his warm enthusiasm and passion for storytelling, Threets brings a modern energy to the classic program once hosted by LeVar Burton. His goal is to continue the show’s legacy of showing children that books are gateways to imagination, understanding, and belonging.
The reboot will feature four episodes released weekly, beginning Saturday at 10 a.m. Eastern. Each episode will include special appearances by familiar faces, including Adam DeVine, John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Gabrielle Union, and Jamie Chung, as well as Dancing with the Stars performers Rylee Arnold and Ezra Sosa.
Originally launched more than 40 years ago, Reading Rainbow transformed how children engaged with books. Its creative blend of storytelling, real-world exploration, and celebrity guests helped generations of kids see reading as fun, exciting, and meaningful. The series earned widespread acclaim, including a Peabody Award and 26 Emmy Awards, before ending in 2006.
Now, with Threets at the helm, Reading Rainbow is embracing the YouTube era—bringing its heart, creativity, and encouragement to a new generation of young readers and families. Parents who grew up with the original series can now share the experience with their own children, proving that great stories never go out of style.
Families can tune in to Reading Rainbow on the KidZuko YouTube channel now.
