"Reading Rainbow" to return after 15-year hiatus
CBSN
The beloved children's show "Reading Rainbow" is returning after more than 15 years off the air. The updated version of the show will be called "Reading Rainbow Live," and will feature "a diverse, talented and comedic troupe of young performers" as hosts, the program's creators told "CBS Mornings."
"Reading Rainbow" originally aired in 1983, and was hosted by actor LeVar Burton. But the show's return comes as parents have struggled to balance remote schooling and other activities during the pandemic. "Reading Rainbow Live" was "developed as a 'life-saver' response to this challenge," executive producer Steven Beer said in a news release.
"We know it was a tough pandemic for parents, for caregivers, for teachers. We wanted to make sure that we have kids engaging with books and we're going to use movement and music to engage kids in learning. And we really want kids to see themselves in the books that we're choosing, and we're going to use diverse creators, authors, illustrators, settings," creative director Amy Guglielmo told CBS News national correspondent Vladimir Duthiers.
