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PBS's Reading Rainbow: 23 Seasons Celebrated in New Book

4/24/2026

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Summary

Story summary

PBS launched “Reading Rainbow” in summer 1983, a series that aired for 23 seasons through 2006.
Actor LeVar Burton hosted the series, which sought to curb summer-slide literacy loss.
A 1997 Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) study reported teachers rated it the top public-TV educational program for 1996-97.
Tony Buttino Sr., Barbara Irwin and Pam Johnson authored the 2024 book “Creating Reading Rainbow: The Untold Story.”

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Story summary

PBS launched “Reading Rainbow” in summer 1983, a series that aired for 23 seasons through 2006.
Actor LeVar Burton hosted the series, which sought to curb summer-slide literacy loss.
A 1997 Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) study reported teachers rated it the top public-TV educational program for 1996-97.
Tony Buttino Sr., Barbara Irwin and Pam Johnson authored the 2024 book “Creating Reading Rainbow: The Untold Story.”