This is a great show, and 99% of the episodes are appropriate for children over the age of 4 or 5, but I remember one episode was centered around the theme of slavery, and this is definitely not appropriate for 5 year olds.
Reading Rainbow
(Rated TV-Y, Educational, Where to watch: PBS)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Encouraging kids to read, one book at a time.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 4 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Sexy stuff:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Reading Rainbow was written by Joly Herman
Parents need to know that this program, which encourages kids to read, has been on for more than 20 years. Critics at first thought it was counter-intuitive to emphasize reading books on television. But this program makes story time rich and interesting. Along with stories narrated by renowned actors, documentary-style investigations explore everything from locomotives to city markets to slavery.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about the different subjects of each episode. The featured books and investigations can make great starting points for Internet research or a trip to the library. What do kids enjoy about story time? Did you watch this program when you were younger? Does this show make your kids want to read more? Why is reading so important?
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More on Reading Rainbow
What’s the Story?
READING RAINBOW has been introducing books to kids since the early '80s. The series "promotes reading as a way children can sample the world around them." Host and executive producer LeVar Burton explores a wide range of social topics, including the United Nations' children's initiatives, holidays celebrated by other cultures, and worker's rights. By using the combination of a documentary/ magazine-style format and the wonderful illustrated books that populate the show's shelves, Burton manages to open young minds to the world.
Is It Any Good?
Kids of all colors, races, and ethnicities speak about their favorite books for a period during each program. It's a treat to watch the kids speak on their subjects. They run the gamut: self-confident, nervous, passionate, awkward, graceful, and eloquent. Hearing kids speak this passionately about books that they love is inspirational. It all adds up to a gentle, diverse, and effective educational program that can be enjoyed by all kids -- and their parents.
Many people know Burton from the series Star Trek: The Next Generation, on which he had the key role of Geordi La Forge. Others might recognize him from his gut-wrenching performance in the television adaptation of Roots. But the imprint that Burton has made on a generation of readers through Reading Rainbow is arguably his most important project to date.
Our Members Say
See all 8 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title iffy for age 5 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Iffy for 5-9
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
A classic-- best ever!
Ever since I was a child watching this show I've loved it-- me and my friends can still sing the theme song even though we're in college. Great, classic show for encouraging kids to read!!! But you don't have to take my word for it...
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Great Show!!!
This show has been there a long time. Thank god PBS still airs ALL of the reruns of this magificent show. It never lost any of the educational content it had ever since 1983. THANK GOD PBS FOR KEEPING ALL OF THE RERUNS OF READING RAINBOW, if only you would bring back the early episodes of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood (1979 and up reruns still air), and Sesame Street (bring back the earlier 1969 episodes, please) and bringing back retired PBS shows like Lamb Chop, Electric Company, 3-2-1 Contact, Theodore Tugboat, Puzzle Place, Magic School Bus (still reruns on Discovery Kids and TLC), Shining Time Station (I did hear rumors about this one rerunning on Playhouse Disney later this Fall), Ghostwriter, Wishbone, Wimzie's House, Bloopy's Buddies, Adventures in the Book of Virtues, Square One Television, and so much more retro PBS KIDS titles you remember!!! LEVAR'S THE MAN!!!
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
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