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Have you heard of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library? Launched in 1995, the program was created by Dolly Parton to inspire a love of reading in children by giving them free physical books. Yes, that’s right! Dolly Parton books are available to children for free.
We love the idea of giving books to children. Books have so many cognitive and emotional benefits, plus, let’s face it, they’re just magical!
Who Is Dolly Parton?
Born in 1946, Dolly Parton is a revered singer-songwriter an actress who is arguably a pop-culture icon. She also is a writer and has written both nonfiction and fiction, including a few children’s books. Her most popular fiction book was co-authored with James Patterson, a thriller called Run Rose Run. Her children’s books include Coat of Many Colors and I Am A Rainbow. She also co-owns The Dollywood Company, which manages a number of entertainment venues, including the Dollywood theme park, as well as dinner theatre venues such as The Dolly Parton Stampede. She created The Dollywood Foundation in 1988, which started out offering scholarships to high school students.
How Long Do Children in the Program Receive Books?
Children registered in the program will receive one book a month from birth until age five.
What Books Are Sent?
Children receive appropriate books for their age, so they receive books covering more complex topics as they age.
The books are all published by Penguin Random House and are selected by a panel of early childhood literacy experts, and it does include Dolly Parton’s children’s books. The book list is also reviewed and refreshed each year, which means if you have more than one child in the program, and they were born in different years, then they won’t receive all the same books. If your children are born in the same year, however, then they will receive the same books.
Who Pays for the Books?
The Dollywood Foundation covers many overhead costs and the administration needs, while local programs, powered by donations, fund the cost of the books and the postage.
Who Is Eligible?
Any child under the age of five is eligible. The program just needs to be available in the area, and the parent/guardian can sign them up.
You can see if the program is available in your area here.
What if the Program Isn’t Available in My Area?
You can fill out the New Program Alert, which will let potential funders know how many people are interested in the program, and you’ll get an email when the program becomes available in your area. You can also look into securing funding for the program in your area!
Interested? See if you can register your child today!
What is your experience with Dolly Parton books? Let us know in the comments below!
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