How many seasons of Reading Rainbow are there?

Reading Rainbow has aired 21 seasons so far.

How many episodes of Reading Rainbow are there?

There are 155 episodes of Reading Rainbow across 21 seasons.

Where can I watch Reading Rainbow?

Reading Rainbow is available to stream on PBS Kids Amazon Channel, Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

What is Reading Rainbow's IMDb rating?

Reading Rainbow holds an IMDb rating of 8.4/10 from 5,330 votes.

Kids

When Does Reading Rainbow Season 22 Come Out? Is It Renewed?

Name: Reading Rainbow
Genre: Kids
Rating: 8.4

“Take a look, it’s in a book, a Reading Rainbow!”

Reading Rainbow ended after Season 21.

IMDb

8.4/10

Seasons

Episodes

155

Diagnostics

Network: PBS
Genres: Kids
First aired: 1983-06-06
Last aired: 2006-11-10
Runtime: 30 min
Rated: TV-Y

Awards Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. 37 wins & 93 nominations total

Predictive Logic Analysis

Reading Rainbow has concluded its run. Production records list the series as ended, meaning the story has been brought to a planned close rather than left open. Barring a revival, there is no Season 22 in development.

What is Reading Rainbow about?

Reading Rainbow stands as one of the most enduring and beloved educational programs in American television history. Hosted with infectious enthusiasm by LeVar Burton, the series transforms the act of reading from a solitary task into a gateway to adventure. Each episode takes viewers on journeys inspired by a children's book or literary theme, whether exploring the mechanics of animation, the wonder of space exploration, or the excitement of becoming a detective. The show's fundamental promise—that books unlock infinite worlds—resonates with parents and educators because it speaks a truth children intuitively understand when given the right guide. Burton's genuine passion for literature and his ability to connect with young viewers became the emotional anchor that made the series feel like a personal invitation rather than a lecture.

What distinguished Reading Rainbow from standard educational programming was its refusal to condescend to its audience. The show operated on the principle that children deserved substantive engagement with ideas, not dumbed-down approximations. Each episode combined dramatic field segments that brought book themes to life, interviews with authors and experts, animated sequences, and reading recommendations that positioned kids as active participants in their own discovery. The production values were notably polished for children's television, and the show trusted its viewers to sit with complex concepts and imaginative storytelling. This approach created a program that worked equally well for the curious five-year-old and the bookish ten-year-old.

Across its twenty-one seasons and 155 episodes, Reading Rainbow maintained remarkable consistency in both quality and cultural impact. The series earned an Emmy Award for Outstanding Instructional and How-To Television Program, and critics consistently praised it as a model of how television could genuinely educate without sacrificing entertainment. Audiences responded with deep affection, and the show developed a devoted following that extended well beyond its initial broadcast run. The tagline "Take a look, it's in a book" became generational shorthand for literacy itself, and the opening theme song achieved an almost iconic status in American popular memory.

Reading Rainbow's legacy extends far beyond its 2006 conclusion. The show demonstrated that mass-market children's programming could champion reading as an aspirational, joyful experience rather than an obligation. Its influence can be traced through subsequent educational programming, and Burton's hosting work became the definitive model for how an adult can authentically mentor young audiences. The series maintained a 8.4 IMDb rating across thousands of votes, reflecting sustained appreciation from viewers who grew up with it and continue to return to episodes. In an increasingly digital media landscape, Reading Rainbow represents a moment when television successfully positioned itself as a tool for expanding imagination rather than passively consuming it.