Reading Rainbow returns digital series on KidZuko with Mychal Threets

After nearly two decades away from screens, Reading Rainbow will return as a digital series on the KidZuko YouTube channel beginning Saturday, Oct. 4, with new episodes releasing each Saturday through Oct. 25. The reboot will be hosted by Mychal Threets, a librarian and literacy advocate known online as Mychal the Librarian, and will feature celebrity narrators and guest appearances intended to encourage children to read.

KidZuko, a children focused channel operated by Sony Pictures Television, released a trailer that places Threets at the center of the revival and previews a slate of guest readers. Appearing in the promotional clip are Adam DeVine, John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Gabrielle Union and Jamie Chung, along with Dancing With the Stars competitors Rylee Arnold and Ezra Sosa. The trailer also shows actor Ebon Moss-Bachrach and highlights young author Bellen Woodard among featured contributors. KidZuko said the series will include companion vertical videos designed for mobile viewing.

Threets rose to national attention on social media by sharing book recommendations and promoting libraries. He became PBS’s resident librarian in 2024 and has frequently advocated for...