“Reading Rainbow” Returns with Viral Librarian Mychal Threets as the New Face of a Childhood Classic [Video]

A cornerstone of children’s television is coming back, this time with a fresh voice at the center.

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“Reading Rainbow” is officially being rebooted, and librarian turned viral star Mychal Threets will guide the show into its new chapter.

The news was confirmed on September 30, when Threets shared the announcement on Instagram. In his post, he reflected on the impact the show had on him while growing up, writing, “I was raised on ‘Reading Rainbow,’ LeVar Burton is my hero. 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.”

“Reading Rainbow” originally aired on PBS for over two decades, running from 1983 to 2006. The program, hosted by LeVar Burton, featured children’s stories brought to life with colorful illustrations and Burton’s storytelling. The show became a touchstone for literacy education, encouraging children to see reading as an adventure. Threets now becomes the only other person to hold the role of host in the show’s history.

Threets began his library career in 2013 at the Fairfield Civic Center Library in California. Over time, his uplifting book recommendations and catchphrases like “you belong” gained wide attention on TikTok and YouTube, making him a beloved figure online.

The reboot of “Reading Rainbow” will premiere on Sony’s Kidzuko streaming service at a date yet to be announced. The show will also feature appearances from notable names, including Gabrielle Union, John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Adam Devine, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.

For viewers who grew up with the original series, the revival is a nostalgic return.