Name: Butterfly in the Sky
Genre: Documentary
Released: 2024-03-17
Duration: 87 min
Rating: 7.1
Cast: LeVar Burton, Twila Liggett, Ed Wiseman, Kathy Kinsner, Cecily Truett Lancit

2024·Documentary·1h 27m

7.1

★

Two seconds into the bubbling synth sounds of its theme song will have a child of the 1980s or ‘90s exclaiming “Reading Rainbow!” Such is the beloved and ubiquitous nature of the classic children’s literary television show that introduced millions of kids to the wonder and importance of books. Not only did the series insist on having kids speak to kids about their favorite stories, but Reading Rainbow introduced the world to one of the most adored television hosts of all time in LeVar Burton. Thanks to his direct, non-patronizing and, most importantly, kind delivery, Burton became a conduit to learning for children of every background—an entrancing guide to subjects unknown.

Directed by Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb

IMDB

N/A

Where to Watch

Cast

LeVar Burton

Self

Cecily Truett Lancit

Self

Larry Lancit

Self

Dean Parisot

Self

Whoopi Goldberg

Self

Angela Bassett

Self (archive footage)

Johnny Carson

Self (archive footage)

James Earl Jones

Guest Narrator (archive footage)

Regina King

Self (archive footage)

Fred Rogers

Self (archive footage)

Patrick Stewart

Self (archive footage)

Michael Dorn

Self (archive footage)

Crew

Bradford Thomason

Director

Brett Whitcomb

Director

Whoopi Goldberg

Executive Producer

Justin Lacob

Executive Producer

Tony Hsieh

Executive Producer

Bryan Storkel

Producer

Dava Whisenant

Executive Producer

Raymond Esposito

Executive Producer

Popular Reviews

17 reviews

Bro

10.0★ · 07/24/25

This was so incredibly moving and inspiring. I love reading. I love Levar Burton. I love public television. I’m so touched and I LOVE READING RAINBOW!!!! 🌈🦋📚

Gabriel Silva

8.3★ · 06/15/25

The "talking head" style of documentary suits films like Butterfly in the Sky and Won't You Be My Neighbor if only because the nostalgia of these transformative children's television is very much actually worth the look back. Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood and Reading Rainbow were wholly transformative pieces of television that left a lasting impact on the lives of the people who grew up with them. These are substantive shows and the insight and look back from those involved in their making are in of themselves substantive. They have a lot to add to the conversation. I can't help but wonder how different things would be today if the conversation around funding for these programs never came under fire. Would we be more empathetic as a society overall?

emmydewPRO

8.0★ · 02/25/25

proud pbs kid 🥲

chloe wilks

8.0★ · 09/02/24

This program was made possible by contributions to PBS from viewers like you, thank you

Danni Chamberlin

8.0★ · 07/08/24

i cant believe bush killed reading rainbow