“New Host Mychal Threets Revives ‘Reading Rainbow’ for a New Generation”

When professional librarian Mychal Threets was approached to host a revival of the beloved children’s show “Reading Rainbow,” he initially thought it was a prank. “I honestly thought they were lying when they first reached out to me,” he explained in a recent interview. Surprisingly, this opportunity became a reality as the show made its return on March 15, 2025, after nearly two decades off the air, with Threets stepping into the role of host.

The revival is produced by Embassy Row in collaboration with Buffalo Toronto Public Media, the original creators of the program. This new version will be available on KidZuko, a YouTube channel for children managed by Sony Pictures Television, rather than its familiar PBS and PBS Kids platforms. Threets will be joined by celebrity guests, including John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Gabrielle Union.

Threets, known on social media as Mychal the Librarian, expressed his admiration for renowned PBS figures such as LeVar Burton, who hosted the original show from 1983 to 2006. “I think for me, just to have been considered blew my mind,” he said, reflecting on the significance of his new role. The original “Reading Rainbow” aimed to combat summer learning loss among children and garnered over 250 awards, including 26 Emmy Awards.

Reviving a Classic with Modern Touches

Executive producer Michael Davies, who previously worked on productions like “Jeopardy!” and “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” began developing the reboot in 2020. Initial pitches to various streaming and broadcast platforms yielded little interest until a recently released trailer garnered over 2 million views on Instagram, dramatically shifting the narrative. “Now we’re getting incoming calls,” Davies noted.

Unlike a previous attempt at a one-off live event in 2022, the current version will retain the core elements of the original show while incorporating modern enhancements. Features such as a rerecording of the iconic theme song and a trivia segment will be included, but the central focus on reading remains unchanged. “All I’ve ever sought to do is amplify library people and library kids,” Threets stated, emphasizing the importance of encouraging literacy among young audiences.

The timing of this reboot coincides with a politically charged environment, where funding for public television has faced significant cuts. Nancy Hammond, executive vice president at Buffalo Toronto Public Media, highlighted the initiative’s intent to affirm public media’s commitment to providing quality educational content freely to children.

A Journey Marked by Resilience

The original “Reading Rainbow” was instrumental in promoting literacy and educational engagement among children, and its legacy continues to resonate today. Threets began his journey in children’s literature in 2013 when he joined a library in Northern California. He gained popularity during the pandemic by sharing anecdotes and reading sessions on TikTok, amassing over 847,000 followers.

In a deeply personal revelation, Threets spoke about his struggles with mental health and how the joy of children at the library inspired him to persevere. “It wasn’t what saved me, but it helped me stay another day,” he reflected. His selection for the “Reading Rainbow” host role did not involve an audition; once his name was mentioned, it felt like the perfect fit for a show aiming to thrive on social media.

While LeVar Burton remains a cherished figure in children’s literacy, Threets is ready to carry the mantle forward. His journey symbolizes resilience and the transformative power of education, promising to inspire a new generation of readers through the revival of a treasured classic.