Reading Rainbow was the book lover’s dream show. Levar Burton hosted each half hour episode. All of the episodes centered around a theme, an animated read aloud, a field trip, and three books suggested by kids. How I longed to be one of those kids at the end of the show who presented a book. The show ran and reran for many seasons. I definitely had my favorite episodes. I shivered at the mysteries of ancient Egypt presented in Mummies Made in Egypt by Aliki. I cried while listening to Perfect the Pig by Susan Jeschke. This book is about a pet pig who can fly, is stolen, and then abused by his kidnappers. It has a happy ending, but I sometimes changed the channel before the end of the story. Listening to stories like Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold and I Lost My Tooth in Africa by Penda Diakité made me want to visit far away places. I still seek out many of these books to share with my students and my son. If you are feeling nostalgic for Reading Rainbow, I suggest taking a look at these Reading Rainbow–inspired items. But, you don’t have to take my word for it!
Reading Rainbow Shirts
Reading Rainbow vintage T-shirt from HappierBoutique
Read Your Heart Out shirt from PrettyWomanFashion
Simple Read shirt from DesIndie
I Can Go Twice as High shirt from BootsTees
Public Broadcasting Superheroes shirt from TheDeadLifeShop
More Reading Rainbow Gifts
Levar Burton Read postcard from khallion
Be Kind to Your Mind miniprint from starsalts
Reading Rainbow Levar Burton mug from AFineQuotation
Reading Rainbow embroidered bookmark from Broidyourelookingfor
Reading Rainbow enamel pin from PinBotShop
Wholesome Men of the ’90s button set from CassieDyerArt
More Reading Rainbow Posts to Fuel Your Nostalgia
Butterfly in the Sky: 10 Great Reading Rainbow Episodes for Teachers, Librarians, and Readers Everywhere How Reading Rainbow Inspired Me 10 Super-Cool Books from Reading Rainbow
