Reading Rainbow

TV Series
1983–2006
TV-Y
30m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Animation Comedy Drama Family Fantasy Sci-Fi

Levar Burton introduces young viewers to illustrated readings of children's literature and explores their related subjects.Levar Burton introduces young viewers to illustrated readings of children's literature and explores their related subjects.Levar Burton introduces young viewers to illustrated readings of children's literature and explores their related subjects.

Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.4/10

5.4K

YOUR RATING

Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys
- 37 wins & 93 nominations total

Episodes161

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TopTop-rated21 seasons22 years

Photos430

+ 424

Top cast99+

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LeVar Burton

Self - Host

Stephen Horelick

Self - Music Director…

Jennifer Betit Yen

Self

Fred Newman

Self…

Ruby Dee

Self

Kenny Blank

Self - Book Reviewer…

Arnold Stang

Self

Lee Murphy

Announcer…

Laura Haymann

Self…

James Avery

Self

Lea Salonga

Self

Michael Ansara

Self - Narrator

Vincent Gardenia

Self

Linda Gelman

Narrator…

Carolyn McMahon

Dancer…

Tom Puckett

Self - Book Reviewer

Doug Parvin

Camper…

Janet Weir

Self - Music Assistant

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
After the TV series was cancelled, LeVar Burton received the copyright and developed an iOS educational app. In 2014, Burton decided to do a Kickstarter fundraising campaign to establish Reading Rainbow as an Android app and a class reading supplement resource for underfunded schools. The 30-day campaign's initial goal, $1 million, was raised within 11 hours. At the end of the full campaign, over $6 million had been raised. Seth MacFarlane contributed $1 million when the campaign hit $5 million.

Quotes
LeVar Burton: [about to have kids introduce more recommended books] Of course, you don't have to take *my* word for it.

Alternate versions
Recent airings (2000) have re-edited older episodes to include new footage of Levar Burton running around with kids to a new Reading Rainbow theme song at the beginning and end.

Connections
Edited into Doggiewoggiez! Poochiewoochiez! (2012)

Soundtracks
Reading Rainbow Theme Song
Written by Stephen Horelick and Dennis Neil Kleinman and Janet Weir
Performed by Tina Fabrique
[Her version of the theme song ran from 1983 until 1999]

User reviews30

Review

Featured review

I am glad this is still on the air!

I loved this show as a child. I am a teacher's Aide now for kindergarten students and they watch this show during library! They love it! I am so glad that this show still exists! When I was a child in the early 80s,the media had became a big part of children's lives, and its even more so now. Computers, video games, and fast paste shows, are great but they tend to take children's attention span away, which makes school less enjoyable even for the brightest children. Fortunately, in this show, the media puts children's books to life motivating children to read, which is perfect for children in this technical society! As an education major, I am really glad to have this opportunity to support this show!