If you grew up in the ’80s or ’90s, you probably remember the thrill of hearing the words, “Take a look, it’s in a book…” and seeing the rainbow sweep across the screen. Reading Rainbow, hosted by the ever-inspiring LeVar Burton, wasn’t just a TV show—it was a movement. It gave kids across the country a chance to fall in love with books, discover new stories, and imagine worlds beyond their own.
For many of us, those afternoons spent watching LeVar encourage us to “never stop reading” left a lifelong mark. And for today’s homeschool parents, looking back at these shows can spark ideas for building book lists, designing reading activities, and inspiring that same joy in our children.
So let’s take a nostalgic trip down memory lane and explore the classic TV shows that still encourage a love of reading—and how you can use their legacy to enrich your homeschool curriculum.
Reading Rainbow: The Gold Standard of Reading Inspiration
Launched in 1983, Reading Rainbow revolutionized children’s television by focusing on books. LeVar Burton invited kids into a world where reading wasn’t a chore—it was an adventure. Each episode introduced a featured children’s book, paired with real-life field trips and interviews that brought the story to life.
What made the show magical?
- Celebrity readers brought energy and passion to each story.
- “Book reviews by kids” gave us the best recommendations—because who doesn’t trust their peers more than adults?
- LeVar’s gentle encouragement reminded us that books are doorways to new worlds.
How to Bring Reading Rainbow into Your Homeschool Today
- Find Reading Rainbow episodes online (many are still available for streaming).
- Create a “watch and read” challenge—watch an episode, then read the featured book together.
- Encourage your kids to make their own book review videos, just like the children on the show.
Sesame Street: Letters, Words, and a Love of Learning
While not exclusively about books, Sesame Street has always championed literacy. From Big Bird learning the alphabet to Elmo singing about letters, the show gave kids a foundation for reading long before they entered school.
Who can forget:
- The animated letter shorts that turned letters into characters?
- Songs like “C is for Cookie” that made phonics unforgettable?
- Guest stars who read stories to the gang on Sesame Street?
Homeschool Tie-In
Use Sesame Street as a springboard for early reading. Pair episodes with:
- Alphabet tracing activities
- Sight word flashcards based on the show’s songs
- A Sesame Street–inspired reading list (there are dozens of books featuring Elmo, Cookie Monster, and friends!)
Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood: The Gentle Power of Stories
Fred Rogers didn’t just teach kids how to manage their feelings—he also encouraged us to use imagination and storytelling as a way to understand the world. His trips to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe introduced narratives that blended whimsy with life lessons.
For many kids, Mister Rogers modeled the joy of reading by:
- Visiting libraries
- Talking with authors and illustrators
- Encouraging kids to write their own stories
Homeschool Tie-In
- Watch an episode, then create a “Make-Believe Story Hour” where your child writes or draws their own story.
- Build a homeschool book list inspired by themes Mister Rogers often covered—kindness, friendship, and imagination.
- Read books written by or about Fred Rogers to connect his gentle philosophy to your homeschool values.
Wishbone: The Little Dog with a Big Imagination
In the ’90s, PBS gave us Wishbone, the Jack Russell Terrier who leapt into the pages of classic literature. Each episode adapted stories like Robin Hood, Treasure Island, or Don Quixote, with Wishbone playing the hero.
Kids didn’t realize it at the time, but they were being introduced to world literature in bite-sized, entertaining episodes.
Homeschool Tie-In
- Use Wishbone episodes as a literary introduction before diving into kid-friendly adaptations of the classics.
- Pair an episode with a simplified version of the story (many are available as children’s editions).
- Encourage kids to act out their favorite scenes with stuffed animals or pets—just like Wishbone.
Between the Lions: Reading Skills Made Fun
A little later came Between the Lions, which combined puppetry and animation to help children master phonics, spelling, and vocabulary. The lion family lived in a magical library where words came alive, literally.
With its clever skits and catchy songs, it made the nuts and bolts of reading exciting.
Homeschool Tie-In
- Look up clips of Between the Lions to support phonics lessons.
- Create a word wall at home where new vocabulary words “come alive” with drawings or images.
- Use songs and rhymes to reinforce tricky spelling rules.
Other Shows That Encouraged Reading and Storytelling
Beyond these big names, several other children’s shows of the past sparked a love of stories:
- Blue’s Clues – Encouraged problem-solving, critical thinking, and letter recognition.
- Zoom – Kids taught kids, often sharing book recommendations and storytelling ideas.
- The Magic School Bus – Science-based, but always tied to books kids could check out afterward.
Each of these shows blurred the line between entertainment and education, making reading and learning something kids genuinely looked forward to.
Why Nostalgic TV Shows Still Matter for Homeschool Parents
You might be wondering: Why revisit these old shows when today’s kids have endless options at their fingertips? The answer is simple—these shows worked. They inspired kids to pick up books, imagine new worlds, and see reading as an adventure.
For homeschool parents, there’s value in:
- Reconnecting with what inspired you as a child.
- Using nostalgia to spark conversations with your kids (“This is what Mommy watched when I was your age!”).
- Building homeschool book lists that tie into themes from these shows.
Building a Homeschool Reading List Inspired by Nostalgic Shows
Ready to bring the magic of these shows into your homeschool library? Here are some ideas:
Reading Rainbow–Inspired
- Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman
- Miss Nelson Is Missing by Harry Allard
- The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Sesame Street–Inspired
- The Monster at the End of This Book (Grover classic!)
- Elmo Loves You by Sarah Albee
Mister Rogers–Inspired
- The World According to Mister Rogers (quotes and wisdom)
- A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: The Poetry of Mister Rogers
Wishbone–Inspired
- Robin Hood (children’s adaptations)
- Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
- Don Quixote (abridged kids’ versions)
Between the Lions–Inspired
- Beginner phonics books (Bob Books, Elephant & Piggie series)
- Wordplay collections and rhyming books like Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
The Legacy of Reading Rainbow and Friends
From Reading Rainbow to Wishbone and Mister Rogers, the shows we loved as kids did more than entertain us—they taught us to see reading as magical. They proved that stories can open doors, spark creativity, and build a foundation for lifelong learning.
As homeschool parents, we can tap into that same spirit today. By blending nostalgic shows with modern homeschool book lists and reading activities, we can help our kids fall in love with reading—just like we did.
So dust off your favorite childhood memories, queue up an old episode or two, and let your homeschool library reflect the lessons of the past. Because as LeVar Burton reminded us, “You don’t have to take my word for it…”
