Learn to Read

American adult educational TV series of 30 programs

For other uses, see Learning to read.

Learn to Read

Genre| Educational
Written by|

* Guy Mendes
* Alan Garinger

Directed by|

* Jerry Rimmer
* Janet Whitaker

Starring|

* Wally Amos
* Doris Biscoe
* Charlotte Scot
* Les Raebel
* Sylvia Glover
* Jim Johnson

Theme music composer| Dennis Carnevale
Composer| Dennis Carnevale
Country of origin| United States
Original language| English
No. of seasons| 1
No. of episodes| 30[1]
Production
Producer| Guy Mendes
Production locations| Detroit, Michigan;
Lexington, Kentucky
Camera setup| Multi-camera
Running time| 30 minutes
Production company| KET / WXYZ-TV
Original release
Network| PBS / syndicated
Release| August 31, 1987 (1987-08-31)
Related
Another Page

Learn To Read is a 1987 adult educational TV series that consists of 30 programs,[1] hosted by entrepreneur and literacy advocate Wally Amos.[2] Co-instructors include Doris Biscoe (who was an anchorwoman for WXYZ-TV in Detroit, Michigan) and Charlotte Scot. Caitlyn Jenner[a] guest-starred on the first episode.[4] The series was based on 27 million Americans having almost no reading skills.

Learn to Read was produced by Kentucky Educational Television in association with WXYZ-TV (the copyright is owned by both KET and E.W. Scripps, then Scripps Howard Broadcasting), funded by the Kmart Corporation,[5] the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and financial contributions to PBS. The program was produced at WXYZ's studios in Southfield, Michigan, with additional production done at KET studios in Lexington, Kentucky. The program was televised on many PBS member stations, and syndicated to commercial stations.[6] In Detroit, the program was seen locally on WXYZ-TV, generally weekday mornings at 5AM.[7]

## Format

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On Friday, there is a review of each week. The final program reviews the entire series. In every episode (except programs 1, 5, 10, 15 and 30) there is a "Getting Along" segment, either with Sylvia Glover or Jim Johnson (both formerly of WXYZ's Good Afternoon Detroit) as instructors. Also, there's Les the Letter Man and Nancy the Word Woman. Finally, there is Billy Green, referred to as the "Book Guy", telling viewers to get their workbook.[8]

## Episode status

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While episodes originally consist of a 6-week daily course, some stations air episodes on a less-frequent basis, as little as once a week. New York City PBS station WNET was the final PBS member station to air the show and aired it daily (occasionally twice daily) before pulling it from its lineup in 2009.

Episodes are available online through YouTube.[9]

## Broadcasts

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Initially, Learn To Read was produced solely at WXYZ-TV in Detroit. It was originally offered free to all ABC affiliated television stations in the United States by VP/General Manager Jeanne Findlater, who created the idea and wrote the format. She sold the whole underwriting costs to Chrysler, K-Mart, Kroger, and McDonald's after convincing them that they had to use their commercial time to promote literacy but not their products. On behalf of the station, she got the national Charles W. Scripps Literacy Award which Barbara Bush presented.

Learn To Read was later syndicated to PBS state network Kentucky Educational Television. KET marketed it throughout the United States.[10] In the first broadcast, Findlater scheduled the program at 5:30 am, and at 10:00 am. The idea for the early morning time slot was conceived by Doug Frazier years before. Frazier, then president of the UAW-CIO, urged Findlater to create a literacy series and run it after or before a work-shift. Findlater said ratings for the early morning slot were not available, but many letters sent to her indicated that those viewers did not want their kids to understand they could not read. The series was widely used in prisons. Estimates of total viewership (from 2002) were more than 18 million people.

## Cast

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* Wally Amos as the host
* Doris Biscoe as a co-instructor
* Charlotte Scot as a co-instructor
* Sylvia Glover as herself, in some Getting Along segments
* Jim Johnson as himself, in some Getting Along segments
* Billy Green as himself
* Les Raebel as Les the Letter Man

## Spinoff

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In late 1987, KET produced a follow-up series, Another Page, a similar literacy program for intermediate-level readers. That program premiered in February 1988.[10]

## See also

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* Operation Alphabet (TV series)
* A Place of Our Own

## Notes

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1. ^ Jenner changed her name from Bruce to Caitlyn during gender transition in 2015.[3]

## References

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1. ^ a b Southard, Jennie (June 29, 1991). "Enrollment underway for GED; reading programs offered on TV". Williamson Daily News. Williamson, West Virginia. p. 3. Retrieved June 5, 2025 - via Google News Archive.
2. ^ Risen, Clay (August 14, 2024). "Wally Amos, Enterprising Creator of Famous Amos Cookies, dies at 88". The New York Times. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
3. ^ Buzz Bissinger (June 1, 2015). "Introducing Caitlyn Jenner". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on June 13, 2015. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
4. ^ "Newspapers, TV to cooperate in adult literacy campaign". Lewiston Daily Sun. Lewiston, Maine. February 27, 1987. p. 44. Retrieved June 25, 2025 - via Google News Archive.
5. ^ "Kmart store supports 'Year of the Reader'". Middlesboro Daily News. March 6, 1987. p. 8. Retrieved June 25, 2025 - via Google News Archive.
6. ^ "Radio-Info: "Retro: Montréal/Southern Québec Tues., July 4, 1989", 7/2/2009. (includes listings for WMTW, which carried the program)". Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2009.
7. ^ TV Guide, Flint-Lansing Edition, July 28-August 3, 1990.
8. ^ "Program 16". Learn to Read. Season 1. Episode 16. 1987. PBS. Kentucky Educational Television. Archived from the original on July 16, 2025 - via Memorial University of Newfoundland Libraries Media and Data Centre.
9. ^ "Learn to Read (YouTube Playlist)". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021.
10. ^ a b Embry, Mike (August 28, 1987). "KET program helps dropouts earn GED". Middlesboro Daily News. Associated Press. p. B1. Retrieved May 30, 2025 - via Google News Archive.

## External links

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* Learn to Read at IMDb

* v
* t
* e

Kentucky Educational Television

Television channels|

| Current|

* KET
* KET2
* Kentucky Channel
* KET PBS Kids
* KET World 1

|

Former|

* KET3
* KET4
* KET ED
* KET5
* KET6
* KET Etc.
* Star Channels

Programs|

| Current|

* Comment on Kentucky
* Inside Louisville
* Kentucky Collectables
* Kentucky Afield
* Kentucky Life
* Other programs

|

Notable former|

* Another Page
* Distinguished Kentuckian
* GED Connection
* Learn to Read
* Math Basics
* Signature

Affiliations|

* Educational independent (1968–1969)
* NET (1969–1970)
* PBS (1970–present)
* American Public Television
* Annenberg Channel (until 2012)

Key people|

* O. Leonard Press
* Virginia Gaines Fox
* Malcolm Wall
* Shae Hopkins

Stations|

* WCVN-TV
* WKAS
* WKGB-TV
* WKHA
* WKLE
* WKMA-TV
* WKMR
* WKMU
* WKOH
* WKON
* WKPC-TV
* WKMJ-TV
* WKPD
* WKPI-TV
* WKSO-TV
* WKZT-TV
* Translators

1 WKMJ-DT5 and WCVN-DT3 only.

* v
* t
* e

Former PBS Kids original programming

1960s–1980s debuts

| PBS|

* Mister Rogers' Neighborhood (1968–2001)
* The Electric Company (1971–1977)
* Zoom (1972–1978)
* Rebop (1976–1979)
* Once Upon a Classic (1976–1980)
* Studio See (1977–1979)
* 3-2-1 Contact (1980–1988)
* Reading Rainbow (1983–2009)
* Don't Look Now (1983)
* Newton's Apple (1983–1999)
* WonderWorks (1984–1992)
* OWL/TV (1985–1990)
* Square One Television (1987–1992)
* Shalom Sesame (1988–1992; 2010–2011)
* Zoobilee Zoo (1988)
* Ramona (1988–1989)
* Shining Time Station (1989–1996)
* Long Ago and Far Away (1989–1993)

|

Syndicated1|

* Hodgepodge Lodge (1970–1984)
* Inside/Out (1972–1973)
* The Adventures of Coslo (1972–1977)
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* Big Blue Marble (1974–1983)
* Vegetable Soup (1975–1978)
* Readalong (1976–1979)
* Powerhouse (1982–1983)
* Size Small (1982–1990)
* The Adventures of the Lollipop Dragon (1983)
* Today's Special (1984–1994)
* Storylords (1984)
* The Voyage of the Mimi (1984)
* The Secret City (1985–1993)
* Captain Kangaroo (1986–1992)
* Learn to Read (1987–1988)2
* Writer's Realm (1987)
* Saludos (1987)
* The Second Voyage of the Mimi (1988)

1990s debuts

| PBS|

* Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? (1991–1995)
* Barney & Friends (1992–2010)
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* Ghostwriter (1992–1995)
* Behind the Scenes (1992)
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* Plaza Sésamo (1995–2010)
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* Katie and Orbie (1995–1998)
* Kratts' Creatures (1996)
* Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego? (1996–1997)
* Adventures from the Book of Virtues (1996–2000)
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* Arthur (1996–2022)
* Theodore Tugboat (1996–2002)
* Wimzie's House (1997–2001)
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* Teletubbies (1998–2004)
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* Zoom (1999–2005)
* Zoboomafoo (1999–2001)
* Dragon Tales (1999–2005)

|

Syndicated1|

* The Wind in the Willows (1990–1993)
* Mark Kistler's Imagination Station (1991–1998)
* Gerbert (1993–1997)
* Math Vantage (1993)
* Whirligig! (1993)
* Beyond the Front Page (1993)
* Jack Houston's ImagineLand (1994–2000)
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* The Adventures of Dudley the Dragon (1994–1999)
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* The Big Comfy Couch (1995–2009)
* Preschool Power (1995)
* The Shelley T. Turtle Show (1995–1997)
* The Swamp Critters of Lost Lagoon (1995–1997)
* Bloopy's Buddies (1996–1998)
* The Reppies (1996)
* Animal Tales (1996–1998)
* Crossroads Cafe (1996)
* Groundling Marsh (1997–2000)
* Skinnamarink TV (1997–1999)
* The Slow Norris (1997–1999)
* Salty's Lighthouse (1997–1998)
* Backyard Safari (1997–1998)
* Mikhail Baryshnikov's Stories from My Childhood (1998–2001)
* Someday School (1998–2001)
* Salsa (1998–2002)
* Once Upon a Tree (1998–2000)
* Reading Allowed (1998–2001)
* NASA Connect (1998–2005)
* Standard Deviants (1999–2000)
* Grandfather Reads (1999–2003)
* Adventures with Kanga Roddy (1999–2001)
* Wish*A*Roo Park (1999–2001)
* Hello Mrs. Cherrywinkle (1999–2001)
* Ricky's Room (1999–2000)

2000s debuts

| PBS|

* Between the Lions (2000–2010)
* Caillou (2000–2013)
* Clifford the Big Red Dog (2000–2003)
* Corduroy (2000–2001)
* Marvin the Tap-Dancing Horse (2000–2002)
* George Shrinks (2000–2004)
* Seven Little Monsters (2000–2004)
* Timothy Goes to School (2000–2001)
* Jay Jay the Jet Plane (2001–2005)
* Anne of Green Gables (2001–2002)
* Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat (2001–2002)
* DragonflyTV (2002–2008)2
* Angelina Ballerina (2002–2006)
* Liberty's Kids (2002–2003)
* The Berenstain Bears (2003–2004)
* Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks (2003–2007)
* Clifford's Puppy Days (2003–2006)
* Boohbah (2004–2006)
* Thomas & Friends (2004–2017)
* Maya & Miguel (2004–2007)
* Postcards from Buster (2004–2012)
* Bob the Builder (2005–2011)
* Make Way for Noddy (2005–2007)
* It's a Big Big World (2006–2010)
* Franny's Feet (2006–2010)
* Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman (2006–2010)
* Curious George (2006–2024)
* Design Squad (2007–2012)
* Super Why! (2007–2016)
* WordGirl (2007–2015)
* WordWorld (2007–2011)
* Mama Mirabelle's Home Movies (2007–2008)
* Animalia (2008)
* Betsy's Kindergarten Adventures (2008)
* Martha Speaks (2008–2014)
* Sid the Science Kid (2008–2013)
* Lomax, the Hound of Music (2008)
* The Electric Company (2009–2011)
* Angelina Ballerina: The Next Steps (2009–2010)
* Dinosaur Train (2009–2020)

|

Syndicated1|

* The Dooley and Pals Show (2000–2003)
* Lil' Iguana (2000–2001)
* Elliot Moose (2000–2001)
* Redwall (2001–2002)
* Reading Rockets (2001–2009)
* MythQuest (2002)
* Mary Lou's Flip Flop Shop (2002)
* The Toy Castle (2003–2004)
* Real Wheels (2003–2004)
* My Bedbugs (2004–2005)
* Curiosity Quest (2004–2015)
* The Biscuit Brothers (2004–2012)
* Auto-B-Good (2005–2006)
* Ribert and Robert's Wonderworld (2005–2008)
* The Shapies (2005–2007)
* Mustard Pancakes (2005–2007)
* Danger Rangers (2005–2006)
* The Zula Patrol (2005–2008)
* Signing Time! (2006–2008)
* Nanalan' (2006)
* The Saddle Club (2006–2009)
* Sheira & Loli's Dittydoodle Works (2006–2007)
* SeeMore's Playhouse (2006–2008)
* Peep and the Big Wide World (2007–2011)
* Miffy and Friends (2007)
* Biz Kids (2008–2017)
* Raggs (2008–2009)
* Jonathan Bird's Blue World (2008)
* Wunderkind Little Amadeus (2008–2009)

2010s–2020s debuts

| PBS|

* The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! (2010–2018)
* SciGirls (2010–2023)
* Peg + Cat (2013–2018)
* Bob the Builder (2015–2018)
* Nature Cat (2015–2024)
* Ready Jet Go! (2016–2023)
* Splash and Bubbles (2016–2018)
* Let's Go Luna! (2018–2022)
* Esme & Roy (2019–2021)
* Clifford the Big Red Dog (2019) (2019–2022)
* Hero Elementary (2020–2022)
* Jelly, Ben & Pogo (2021–2022)
* The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo (2023)
* Mecha Builders (2024)

|

Syndicated1|

* Pocoyo (2010–2011)
* Scientastic! (2010)
* Wild Animal Baby Explorers (2010–2012)
* Space Racers (2014–2015)
* Mixed Nutz (2014)
* Thomas Edison's Secret Lab (2015–2016)
* Bug Bites (2016)
* Ruby's Studio (2016)
* Mack & Moxy (2016)
* Young Voices for the Planet (2016–2019)
* Kids for Positive Change (2021–2024)

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