Take a look, it’s in a book…classic literacy series Reading Rainbow is officially making a comeback 19 years after ending its run on PBS, according to a trailer announcement that was released yesterday.

Reading Rainbow launched in 1983 and went on to become one of the most acclaimed and longest-running children’s shows in PBS history. It was on air for 26 years and also lived a double life as a classroom staple in the US. 

Hosted by actor and EP LeVar Burton, each episode focused on a different book, exploring a theme from the story in a magazine-style show format that included visits to new places and kids’ reading recommendations. 

The reboot will continue to promote literacy, but it’s getting a digital makeover to reach Gen Alpha viewers. Social media personality Mychal Threets (a.k.a. Mychal the Librarian, pictured above) will step in as the show’s host. Threets has worked as a real-world librarian for several years (he’s currently the resident librarian at PBS), as well as attracting more than 1.7 million followers of all ages across TikTok and Instagram with his vibrant personality. 

And like the original, the new show is also tapping into celebrity power, with appearances from Ebon Moss-Bachrach and narration by Gabrielle Union and John Legend, among other big names.

Unlike the original, PBS is not a distributor for this bite-sized reboot at this time. The show is set to roll out on Sony Pictures Television’s Kidzuko YouTube channel (676,000 subscribers) next month, with one episode dropping every Saturday, along with companion vertical videos. Embassy Row is producing with Buffalo Toronto Public Media as the rights holders. 

Reading Rainbow‘s return coincides with what’s been a very tough year for US public media after Congress voted to slash US$1.1 billion in critical federal funding this summer, leading to workforce reductions and uncertainty for local PBS stations.