Reading Rainbow Returns
“Butterfly in the sky, I can go twice as high!”
Do you have fond memories of your teacher wheeling a TV into the classroom on Fridays to watch Reading Rainbow in elementary school??? Those days were the best, and the memories are cherished by many adults. The educational PBS program hit tv screens in 1983 and remained popular during it’s 26-year run. Reading Rainbow inspired a generation of kids who had a thirst for knowledge and a true love of reading, as each episode showcased a story and also community.
While original host LeVar Burton is not back, Reading Rainbow is! Modern children can get to know the new host, Mychael The Librarian, on YouTube through the Kidzuko and Reading Rainbow (Official) pages. New episodes, which feature a story and extended learning spotlights, will go live every Saturday in October!
The first full episode, which features the book No Cats in the Library and showcases an animal shelter, is online—check it out with your crew, today.
University of Cincinnati children’s media expert, Professor Nancy Jennings, PhD, notes that, “videos and media can be educational and help improve reading. Some shows teach letters and words, which build vocabularies, others encourage a love of learning and curiosity.” Along with promoting a love of learning and reading, Reading Rainbow also, “builds a place where everyone is welcome and shows people of different backgrounds and identities on screen.” Reading is for everyone, and with the reboot being on YouTube, it, “reaches children where they are.”
Of course, life is all about balance! Be sure to give this new rendition of Reading Rainbow a watch, but also be sure to pay your local library branch a visit to take a look, it’s in a book!
Find out more about the history (and future!) of Reading Rainbow by visiting www.readingrainbow.org
