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Reading Rainbow

  • TV Series
  • 1983–2006
  • TV-Y
  • 30m
IMDb RATING
8.4/10
5.6K
YOUR RATING
LeVar Burton in Reading Rainbow (1983)
AnimationComedyDramaFamilyFantasySci-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
    • LeVar Burton
    • Stephen Horelick
    • Lee Murphy
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.4/10
    5.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Stars
      • LeVar Burton
      • Stephen Horelick
      • Lee Murphy
    • 30User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys
      • 37 wins & 93 nominations total

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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    LeVar Burton
    LeVar Burton
    • Self - Host
    • 1983–2006
    Stephen Horelick
    Stephen Horelick
    • Self - Music Director…
    • 1983–2002
    Lee Murphy
    • Announcer…
    • 1983–1991
    Jennifer Betit Yen
    • Self
    Fred Newman
    • Self…
    • 1986–1991
    Ruby Dee
    Ruby Dee
    • Self…
    • 1984–2001
    Kenny Blank
    Kenny Blank
    • Self - Book Reviewer…
    • 1987–1989
    Arnold Stang
    Arnold Stang
    • Self…
    • 1986–1995
    Laura Haymann
    • Self…
    • 1986
    James Avery
    James Avery
    • Self
    • 1992–2006
    Lea Salonga
    Lea Salonga
    • Self
    • 1993–2001
    Michael Ansara
    Michael Ansara
    • Self - Narrator
    • 1983–1993
    Vincent Gardenia
    Vincent Gardenia
    • Self
    • 1983–1991
    Linda Gelman
    • Narrator…
    • 1983
    Tom Puckett
    Tom Puckett
    • Self - Book Reviewer
    • 1983
    Doug Parvin
    • Camper…
    • 1983
    Anne Michele Harrington
    • Self - Book Reviewer
    • 1983
    Carolyn McMahon
    • Dancer…
    • 1983
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews30

    8.45.5K
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    Featured reviews

    Kristinartist79

    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!
    8tristenjones-74208

    Back when Educational Shows were good

    Back when I was a toddler and maybe up to 2nd grade, these shows were honestly what I watched everyday and this is one of them. I was honestly hooked to this show even if it did seem a little outdated for it's time. I loved the stories LeVar would read since it filled my imagination.

    Nowadays, there's no shows that are like this anymore to be honest with you. Except for maybe Sesame Street (but that show is probably never going to end), and maybe a few others. To the parents that want to show their kids a classic TV show, then I definitely recommend this one.
    amh678

    Best Show Ever

    As a child of the 80s "Reading Rainbow" was a big part of television for me.

    I remember watching it in school sometimes and I LOVED it. Lavar Burton is an awesome host. Hosting the same show for so many years shows his dedication to literacy among children. Each show taught you about a few different books. I even remember the theme song and does my 16-year-old brother. I haven't seen it in years though. For some odd reason PBS doesn't are it in the Atlanta area. I highly recommend this show for parents now. "Reading Rainbow" is a rare show that is educational and entertaining. If it were still aired here, this is one 22-year-old that would still watch it!
    strid333

    I loved this show

    This was such a great show. I especially loved the story book time. I also really liked the showing how things are done.

    I think my favorite of all the episodes would be visiting LeVar's other workplace - the set of Star Trek TNG in its first season. It was one of the first times that they actually showed how they did all the special effects (I only wish that they waited a couple more seasons to make this episode because they might've had some Borg makeup). Now, with DVDs, this episode is pointless, but I still don't care.

    On a personal note, one of my friends briefly appeared in an episode. He was 6 (like me) at the time. It was the episode of the Library of Congress and he and his mom are seen running up the stairs. He told me that if he knew better, he would've gone over to LeVar because he would've met Geordi LaForge (but this was a year before TNG even started and there are still ST conventions). Yeah, we are both geeks at heart.
    Nethen-2

    Great show that all kids should watch.

    I started watching Reading Rainbow when I first started to speak English. I've always thought it was a fun and creative show. It made reading better, and more enjoyable. It helped kids like me, to read better, understand books and love books. Also, with Burton as a great host, he helped it even more. Every episode was great to watch, and I liked it when they should us other cultures and how things work in the real world.

    If your child needs a show to watch, take it from me, a 17 year old boy: Get them away from those violent TV shows where they won't learn a thing, get them to watch Reading Rainbow. They'll thank you in the latter years...I have.

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    Fantasy
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    Sci-Fi

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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]

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    FAQ18

    • How many seasons does Reading Rainbow have?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 11, 1983 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Facebook
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Радуга-читальня
    • Filming locations
      • Sonoran Desert National Monument, Gila Bend, Arizona, USA
    • Production companies
      • WNED-TV Buffalo
      • Lancit Media Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 30m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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