Editing Reading Rainbow (section)

===Format===
''Reading Rainbow'' is hosted by actor and executive producer [[LeVar Burton]],<ref>{{Cite news|last=Jones|first=Fred|date=May 19, 1999|title=Learning to Read the Rainbow|work=Tacoma Herald}}</ref> who when the show premiered was then known for his role in ''[[Roots (1977 miniseries)|Roots]]''. The show was produced first by Lancit Media Entertainment (1983–2001), and later On-Screen Entertainment (2002–2006). Every episode features a different children's [[picture book]], often narrated by a celebrity. The featured story's illustrations were scanned by the camera in a technique known as "iconographic animation" of each page shown in succession, although on certain occasions the shots would be animated.

After the featured story, Burton visits many places relating to the episode's theme, often featuring interviews with guests. A notable example is the season 6 premiere episode, which features the book ''The Bionic Bunny Show'' by [[Marc Brown (author)|Marc Brown]] and his wife Laurene, and includes a behind-the-scenes look at the TV series ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'', in which Burton was a main cast member.

The last segment of each show, called Book Reviews, begins with Burton's introductory catchphrase, "But you don't have to take my word for it", and features children giving capsule reviews of books they liked. At the end of almost every episode, Burton signs off by telling the audience "I'll see you next time", with a review of the books featured in that episode beginning in season 2.

The series' pilot, which was created and produced in 1981 and aired as the show's 8th episode in 1983, features the book ''[[Gila Monsters Meet You at the Airport]]'' by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat and is narrated by Doug Parvin. Producer Larry Lancit's daughters, Shaune and Caitlin, were often featured in the series, notably as the children thanking the sponsors at the beginning and end of the show.