Reading Rainbow

Reading Rainbow (1983-2006)

EndedScripted showChildren

Reading Rainbow is an American children's television series aired by PBS from June 6, 1983 until November 10, 2006 that encouraged reading among children. The award-winning public television series garnered over 200 broadcast awards, including scores of Emmy Awards, many for "Outstanding Children's Series". The series was created under the leadership of Cecily Truett Lancit and Larry Lancit, at Lancit Media Productions in New York. The concept of a reading series for children was inspired by Twila Liggett, Ph.D., of Lincoln, Nebraska of the Great Plains National Instructional Television Library at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln; Paul Schupbach, director of the Great Plains National Instructional Television LIbrary; and Tony Buttino, of WNED-TV Buffalo, New York. The original team included Lynne Brenner Ganek, Ellen Schecter, and LeVar Burton as host.

Network
ScheduleMonday - Sunday (daily) at 14:30 (30 min)

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
S21E05Show Waynov. 10, 2006
S21E04Game Daynov. 9, 2006
S21E03Boxes for Katjenov. 8, 2006
S21E02I Lost My Tooth in Africanov. 7, 2006
S21E01The Biggest Test in the Universenov. 6, 2006
View all episodesView all seasons

Frequently Asked Questions  Warning: Spoilers

When did the Reading Rainbow premiere?

The Reading Rainbow premiered on June 6, 1983.

Who was the host of Reading Rainbow?

The host of Reading Rainbow was LeVar Burton.

What was the show's concept?

The concept of Reading Rainbow was to promote children's literacy by featuring books and their authors.

Was Reading Rainbow only for children?

Yes, Reading Rainbow was specifically produced for children.

Did Reading Rainbow win any awards?

Yes, Reading Rainbow won numerous awards including multiple Emmy awards.

What was the show's theme song?

The theme song of Reading Rainbow was "Reading Rainbow Theme" composed by Steve Horelick and Dennis Neil Kleinman.

How many episodes of Reading Rainbow were produced?

A total of 155 episodes of Reading Rainbow were produced.

Did Reading Rainbow have special guests?

Yes, Reading Rainbow had special guests, including celebrities and authors.

Did Reading Rainbow only focus on books?

Yes, Reading Rainbow was primarily focused on books and promoting literacy.

Did Reading Rainbow have any spin-offs?

Yes, Reading Rainbow had a few spin-offs, including a series of video releases and an educational website.

Did Reading Rainbow tackle social issues?

Yes, Reading Rainbow tackled social and cultural issues, such as diversity and inclusion within literature.

Did Reading Rainbow have any critics?

Yes, Reading Rainbow had some critics who felt it was too focused on commercializing children's literature.

How did Reading Rainbow change over time?

Over time, Reading Rainbow incorporated more interactive segments and incorporated technology, such as virtual reality.

Did Reading Rainbow have any impact on society?

Yes, Reading Rainbow had a significant impact on promoting literacy and encouraging children to read.

Was Reading Rainbow popular?

Yes, Reading Rainbow was a popular show, receiving high ratings and critical acclaim.

Cast

View all cast

Characters

View all characters

Recently Updated Shows

Recently updated shows that might be of your interest.
Invasion
Running

Invasion

Earth is visited by an alien species that threatens humanity's existence. Events unfold in real time through the eyes of five ordinary people across the globe as they struggle to make sense of the chaos unraveling around them.

Peacemaker
Running

Peacemaker

This James Gunn-created series continues the saga of Peacemaker, a vainglorious superhero/supervillain who believes in peace at any cost — no matter how many people he has to kill. After a miraculous recovery from his duel with Bloodsport, Peacemaker soon discovers that his freedom comes at a price.

48 Hours
Running

48 Hours

48 Hours is a CBS news magazine that investigates intriguing crime and justice cases that touch on all aspects of the human experience. Over its long run, the show has helped exonerate wrongly convicted people, driven the reopening -- and resolution -- of cold cases, and changed numerous lives. CBS News correspondents offer an in-depth look into each story, with the emphasis on solving the mystery at its heart. The program and its team have earned critical acclaim, including 20 Emmys and three Peabody Awards.

Wednesday
Running

Wednesday

Smart, sarcastic and a little dead inside, Wednesday Addams investigates a murder spree while making new friends — and foes — at Nevermore Academy.

Shifting Gears
Running

Shifting Gears

Shifting Gears centers on Matt, a stubborn, widowed owner of a classic car restoration shop. When Matt's estranged daughter and her teenage kids move into his house, the real restoration begins.

GenreComedy