PBS has officially named Mychal Threets, a beloved librarian from Solano County, California, as the new host of Reading Rainbow. For more than a decade, Mychal served at the Fairfield Civic Center Library, where his heartwarming videos about books, empathy, and kindness earned millions of views across social media. His message, that stories help us feel seen and connected, has made him a modern symbol of literacy and compassion.
For Mychal, this moment is deeply personal. “I was raised on Reading Rainbow. LeVar Burton is my hero,” he said. “I am a reader, I am a librarian because Reading Rainbow made us believe we belong in books, we belong everywhere.” Now, decades after the show inspired him, he’s carrying forward its legacy, reminding children that reading isn’t just about learning,, it’s about belonging.
The series will continue to champion curiosity, diversity, and imagination, just as it did for generations past. With Mychal Threets as host, Reading Rainbow begins a new chapter, one written by a librarian who once sat on the other side of the screen, dreaming.
Source: PBS | Reading Rainbow Announcement | Photo by Marissa Leshnov for The New York Times
