Reading Rainbow Host Rear-Ended By Cop Car

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the legendary "Reading Rainbow" host was spotted by cops failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk in Van Nuys, CA ... so they signaled him to pull over.

We're told as Burton pulled to the side of the road, he stopped suddenly ... causing the cop car to hit him from behind. Law enforcement sources tell us the damage was just to one corner of Burton's car and it wasn't too severe.