The beloved kids’ TV show “Reading Rainbow” is returning with a new host—Mychal Threets, also known as Mychal the Librarian, a literacy advocate and librarian with a massive social media following who uses his platform to spread positivity, kindness, and a love of reading.
“Reading Rainbow” originally hit the air on PBS in 1983, and continued releasing original episodes until 2006. Iconic actor LeVar Burton hosted the original show for its entire 20-year run. The show became a staple of kids’ entertainment during the 80s and 90s.
Threets announced his new gig on social media, and the post quickly went viral. In a post on Threads, he said, “There have been two hosts in the history of Reading Rainbow. The Legend of Literacy, LeVar Burton! And… me, Mychal Threets, a librarian.”
He went on to talk about the importance and influence the show has had in his own life. “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.”
A trailer was recently released for the new “Reading Rainbow” episodes. The first episode will kick off on Saturday, October 4, on the Kidzuko YouTube channel and on Reading Rainbow’s website.
