After two decades off the air, beloved series Reading Rainbow is coming back with Mychal Threets – librarian extraordinaire and global sprinkler of book joy – as the new host!
The original series, which inspired kids to read and taught them about building bridges and belonging, started in 1983 and was hosted by LeVar Burton. Mychal will now introduce the revamped show to a whole new generation, inspiring more kids to read and spread book joy too. Talk about being born for the role!
“There have been two hosts in the history of Reading Rainbow. The Legend of Literacy, LeVar Burton! And…me, Mychal Threets, a librarian,” Mychal posted on social media.
“I was raised on Reading Rainbow. LeVar Burton is my hero. I am a librarian because LeVar Burton and Reading Rainbow so powerfully made us believe we belong in books, we belong everywhere. I am so happy for all of us that Reading Rainbow is returning!”
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Of course, the internet being the internet, decided to meet this news with both extreme excitement and some disappointment that LeVar himself wasn’t returning for the role. Taking to Threads, Mychal had the perfect response:
“Oh! If you’re upset because I’m not LeVar Burton… GET BEHIND ME! I am at the front of that line! I will be like Donald Glover in Community if I ever get to meet LeVar Burton. We all want the LeVar Burton Reading Rainbow Storytime read aloud treatment! I’ll be doing all I can to make him and all the library kids proud.”
And there’s really no doubt about it.
Mychal Threets has amassed a following of 899,000 followers on Instagram alone with his upbeat book recommendations, kind interactions with “library kids” and videos advocating for mental health. He spreads messages about belonging and being inclusive on a daily basis and is often considered the new age Mister Rogers, and LeVar Burton – with a standout afro and literary tattoos along his arms.
The new Reading Rainbow digital series will be out on October 4 on Sony Pictures’ kids YouTube channel, KidZuko.
(Feature Image Credit: Craig Barritt/Getty Images)
