Launching Young Readers

Our award-winning PBS series!

Based on the latest research findings, the series consists of 30-minute programs that explore the stages of reading that every child goes through. The programs feature the country’s top reading experts, look at different reading strategies, provide practical advice for parents, and interweave the personal stories of children, families, and teachers.

Hosted by Fred Rogers, Annette Bening, Deborah Norville, Vivica A. Fox, Frank McCourt, Nick Spano, Al Roker, Rita Moreno, Henry Winkler, Molly Ringwald, and Reba McEntire, the Launching Young Readers episodes were filmed in schools, childcare centers, libraries, research centers, and homes around the country. Each program also includes a profile of a prominent children’s book author.

Free print guides

You can download free print guides that accompany the Launching Young Readers series, including a viewer’s guide, a teacher’s guide, and a bilingual family guide.

Production credits

Awards

Launching Young Readers has received numerous national awards. View awards

WETA/Reading Rockets

For the first five episodes:

• Noel Gunther, Executive-in-Charge
• Mary Esselman, Co-Executive Producer
• Maura Daly Phinney, Co-Executive Producer
• Layton Lawlor, Researcher

Special thanks to Diane Henry Leipzig.

Reading Rocks!, Empowering Parents, and Becoming Bilingual:

• Noel Gunther, Executive Producer
• Christian Lindstrom, Producer
• Keisha Dyson, Co-Producer

Reading and the Brain:

• Noel Gunther, Executive Producer
• Christian Lindstrom, Producer and Writer
• Keisha Dyson, Co-Producer
• Ashley Gilleland, Associate Producer and Writer

A Chance to Read:

• Noel Gunther, Executive Producer
• Christian Lindstrom, Producer and Writer
• Ashley Gilleland, Associate Producer and Writer
• Keisha Dyson, Research

Toddling Toward Reading:

• Noel Gunther, Executive Producer
• Christian Lindstrom, Executive Producer
• Ashley Gilleland, Producer and Writer
• Karen Youtz, Production Manager
• Kelly Andrews, Production Coordinator

Adventures in Summer Learning:

• Noel Gunther, Executive Producer
• Christian Lindstrom, Executive Producer
• Ashley Gilleland, Producer and Writer
• Leon Gittens, Production Manager
• Kelly Andrews, Associate Producer
• Krystal Klingenberg, Associate Producer

Growing Writers:

• Noel Gunther, Executive Producer
• Christian Lindstrom, Executive Producer
• Tina Chovanec, Executive Producer
• Ashley Gilleland, Producer and Writer
• Leon Gittens, Production Manager

Rubin Tarrant Productions

• John Rubin, Producer and Writer
• Anne Tarrant, Producer
• James Donald, Co-Producer
• James Ohm, Editor
• Dickran Manoogian, Editor
• Richard Lewis, Field Producer
• Linda Duvoisin, Field Producer