Reading Rainbow Logo PNG
The Reading Rainbow logo is associated with captivating books featured in children’s television series episodes. The colorful emblem creates an atmosphere of fun, joy, and inspiration because each story is an exciting journey into a world of limitless possibilities.
Reading Rainbow: Brand overview
The history of Reading Rainbow began in 1983 when PBS Educational Television, Nebraska ETV, and WNED-TV launched an innovative initiative to inspire children to embrace reading. Before its official debut, the show was tested in Buffalo, New York, and Nebraska, receiving positive feedback from educators and viewers.
The official premiere occurred on July 11, 1983, with LeVar Burton as its host. Known for his role in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Burton’s genuine enthusiasm for books and engaging personality became key to the show’s success. Each episode centered on a specific book and theme, helping children connect literature to everyday life.
Between 1983 and 1990, the program experimented with its format and content. The theme song, “Butterfly in the sky, I can go twice as high,” written by Steve Hofer and Dennis Neil Kleinman, became a beloved feature and an iconic part of American pop culture. Each episode followed a unique structure that encouraged children to explore the joy of reading.
The show’s peak years, from 1990 to 1995, saw it extend beyond television. Educational materials, including teacher guides and student workbooks, were developed for schools. The program also organized field trips to libraries and schools nationwide, fostering a love for literature.
From 1995 to 2000, the series embraced technological advancements while maintaining its educational mission. Modern filmmaking techniques and special effects resulted in some of the most memorable episodes, including specials on historical events and science fiction.
Between 2000 and 2005, the program adapted to changes in media consumption. It introduced its first web-based content and began releasing DVD collections of its most popular episodes, making it more accessible to families at home. A standout feature was the “Book Reviews” segment, where young viewers shared their favorite books, creating an interactive and engaging component for the audience.
From 2005 to 2006, the series produced special episodes focusing on topics like international cultures and space exploration, using advanced production techniques to explore subjects in greater depth. Its emphasis on diversity in children’s television frequently highlighted books by authors from varied cultural and ethnic backgrounds, enhancing representation.
Another remarkable aspect of the program was its choice of filming locations. Rather than staying confined to studio settings, episodes were filmed across the United States and internationally, connecting stories to real-world places and making the educational experience more dynamic.
The show continued influencing educational television during its final years on air (2006–2009). Reruns remained popular and were widely used as teaching tools, setting a standard for quality programming that endures today. The final original episode aired on November 10, 2006, concluding 23 years of inspiring children with themes of friendship, resilience, imagination, and the importance of education.
Over its run, the program received numerous accolades, including a Peabody Award and over 26 Emmy Awards, cementing its legacy as one of television’s most impactful educational programs. Its influence continues to inspire creators of children’s programming to this day.
Meaning and History
What is Reading Rainbow?
This educational program helps children develop a love for reading through engaging storytelling and animated book presentations. The hosts turn books into captivating stories, complementing them with real-life excursions and interactive activities. The program is also available in a digital format, offering interactive books and educational materials. Its goal is to inspire children to explore the world through literature, connecting what they read with real-life experiences.
1983 – 1999
This Reading Rainbow logo is the most nostalgic, as it debuted in 1983 when the program first began airing on PBS. The intro sequence from that time features a unique rainbow of five stripes. Each arc has its own color:
- Red-magenta
- Orange
- Yellow
- Green
- Light blue
The shades appear cheerful yet not overly bright, giving the emblem a colorful yet calm atmosphere. This color choice reflects the television program’s goal of fostering a love for reading in children. The rainbow symbolizes a path leading to new knowledge and discoveries.
The ” READING RAINBOW ” text covers most of the right side of the multicolored arc. The bold, large font with diagonal cuts looks energetic, as though the words are pushing forward. The exaggeratedly thick lines seem heavy, but the unique serifs add a sense of dynamism. Some letters are connected by horizontal bars, creating a feeling of warmth and friendliness.
The thinnest part of the logo is the “O,” which contains a stylized sun: a large orange circle with triangular rays. It symbolizes light, which is associated with new knowledge. Below the logo is a wide, straight line merging with the lower “R.” This element adds stability and a sense of completeness to the design.
1999 – 2006
In 1999, the Reading Rainbow logo adopted a simpler and more modern design, aligning with the spirit of the children’s show. The rainbow now appears softer, with a partial gradient that blends the colors seamlessly into one another. The red lost its magenta tone, and the other colors became paler. The right side of the arc fades into white space, adding lightness and weightlessness that offsets the visual bulk of the emblem.
The bold “READING RAINBOW” text remains but now features refined proportions. The designers reduced the size of the letters and shifted them downward to reveal the background design. The new font is entirely different from the old one, with no serifs or diagonal cuts at the ends of the glyphs. Instead, the inner spaces of the letters are wider, and the strokes have balanced thickness.
While the font still includes many angles, it no longer feels sharp. This style creates a sense of freshness and makes the text more legible, which is important for a young audience. At the same time, the logo has retained its former energy: each letter is outlined with thin dark contours, giving the “Reading Rainbow” name a three-dimensional effect. This 3D appearance is another attempt to capture the attention of young viewers.
The sun inside the “O” has grown, with its triangular rays extending beyond the letter’s boundaries. It shines from within the text, radiating warmth and light to draw children’s attention to exciting books.
2022 – today
The TV show ended in 2006, but in 2022, the creators relaunched it under Reading Rainbow Live. This phrase is at the center of the new logo, unveiled before the premiere. It reflects the essence of the entertainment project, which is broadcast live online: children watch the program on the streaming platform Looped and can even join the broadcast as guest participants.
The text loosely resembles the 1983 Reading Rainbow wordmark. It seems the designers simply removed the serifs, separated the letters, reduced the line thickness, and altered the diagonal cuts to modernize the font. However, the old and new versions still share many similarities, particularly noticeable in the letter “W,” which looks exactly like an upside-down “M.”
The first two words are white and feature bold black shadows that make them stand out against the rainbow background. Meanwhile, “LIVE” occupies a separate line composed of bright orange letters with thick red outlines. The letters are tilted in various directions, giving the impression that they are bouncing. This abstract design conveys the joy of a beloved show. The creators emphasized the “live” format of interaction with viewers, recognizing that children increasingly watch programs online rather than on traditional television.
The background still features a rainbow, but now it fits entirely within the logo. The colorful arc comprises five stripes: red-magenta, orange, yellow, green, and blue. The vibrant colors catch children’s attention, creating an excellent backdrop for the white text. The rainbow is a magical symbol of imagination, inspiration, childhood, and wonder—elements that feel scarce today.
A new element appears at the bottom of the emblem: a large open book. It represents the mission of Reading Rainbow—to inspire a love of reading in children and captivate them with exciting stories. The word “LIVE” seems to burst from the pages, hinting that all the excitement comes from within the book.
The logo’s composition evokes the idea of a stage, which is intentional: the new program is positioned as an entertainment event, with each episode featuring dancing, games, music, and songs. It’s an interactive experience that viewers can join, making the stage an essential element.
