National Institute 2026

Join Barbara Irwin, PhD, Tony Buttino Sr, and Pam Johnson, PhD, as they discuss their book, Creating Reading Rainbow: The Untold Story of a Beloved Children’s Series. The story of Reading Rainbow is very much a story of humble beginnings and perseverance. This General Session will focus on this beloved children’s series, including answer the question: “how did a public television station in Buffalo spearhead a movement in education and spark passion for reading in millions of children?”

A book signing with the authors of Creating Reading Rainbow will immediately follow.

Creating Reading Rainbow will be available for purchase onsite at the National Institute bookstore. Have your copy signed and chat with the creators!