The Imagination Library Soars to New Heights Inspiring Over 3 Million Children to Dream More, Learn More, Care More and Be More™
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library opens a new chapter this summer as the program celebrates a significant milestone in early childhood literacy, while continuing its expansion efforts to inspire a love of reading in children all over the world.
Dolly’s childhood literacy program now gifts over 3 MILLION books each month and, as of June 2024, the Imagination Library has gifted over 244 million books to children across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and the Republic of Ireland.
Celebrating 3 Million Registered Children
In June, the Imagination Library celebrates an exciting new milestone: reaching 3 MILLION children under the age of five registered worldwide. Special thanks to over 2,800 local affiliates globally, whose dedication makes it possible to gift over 3 million books to children each month around the world.
The Imagination Library Expands Statewide in Oregon
Dolly’s renowned early childhood literacy program has recently made significant strides in expanding its reach by kicking off statewide expansion in Oregon. This expansion marks an exciting development in providing access to free books for children in Oregon, furthering the program's mission of inspiring a love of reading and learning in children from birth to age five.
Currently, over 54,000 children across Oregon receive the gift of a monthly book through 55 community programs. Books are free to the family regardless of family income. The goal of the statewide expansion is to make books available to children ages 0-5 in every zip code in Oregon.
Check availability to enroll a child and visit back often as the program expands across the state.
Bilingual English/Spanish Book Collection Launches in Five New States
After successfully launching its Bilingual English/Spanish book program in California in 2023, the Imagination Library has now successfully rolled out its Bilingual Book Collection in five new states: Tennessee, D.C., North Carolina, Ohio, and Delaware!
As of June 2024, existing and new families in those five states will get the option of which Language Book Collection they would like to receive:
1. English (Mostly English books with an occasional bilingual English/Spanish book)
2. Bilingual English/Spanish option (Every book is bilingual English/Spanish)
Thanks to all of our partners who made this possible, allowing us to inspire a love of reading in even more children and families across the United States!
Summertime Books to Spark Imagination
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading and learning by gifting books, free of charge, to families via funding shared by Dolly and local community partners. Summer is a wonderful time of year to spark the imagination, not only by spending more time playing, but also by spending more time reading! Here are a few of the specially selected, age-appropriate books going out to registered children this summer.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar's First Summer
In this vibrant book by Eric Carle, join the Very Hungry Caterpillar on a sunny summer day and enjoy everything the season has to offer!
Ice Cream Face
Ice cream lovers everywhere will enjoy this delicious book by Heidi Woodward Sheffield that brings to life the anxiety and elation involved in waiting in line to get ice cream.
The Secret Fawn
Gorgeous cut-paper art illuminates this sweet, heartfelt picture book that shows how special being little can be. Written by Kallie George and illustrated by Elly MacKay.
New to the Imagination Library?
Check availability in your area to register a child, sign up to receive a notification when the Imagination Library becomes available to you or learn more about how to Start A Program in your area.
