On December 2, 2025, Penguin Workshop, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers will publish Dolly Parton’s Billy The Kid Dances His Heart Out, the third standalone children’s picture book in Dolly’s New York Times bestselling series featuring French bulldog, her god-dog, Billy the Kid. In this follow up to Billy the Kid Makes It Big and Billy the Kid Comes Home for Christmas, French bulldog and musical superstar Billy the Kid faces one of his biggest fears: dancing in front of an audience. To prepare for his exciting gig opening for Dolly Parton’s Doggy Dance Pawty, Billy enrolls in dance lessons and is paw-struck by his teacher, Bella, who is as graceful as she is beautiful. But trying to win Bella’s attention causes Billy to stumble even more—can he nail the dance routine and catch Bella’s eye, all before the big dance pawty? Dolly Parton has written an original song “Bella” specifically for this book, available December 2 in tandem with the book release. The book will be available both in hardcover and as an audiobook narrated by Dolly herself.
“I am excited to introduce Bella into Billy’s life in our new book!” exclaims Dolly. “Creating stories that are fun, real, and carry life lessons hopefully makes it meaningful for children and their parents to experience the joy of reading together.”
Dolly’s previous children’s books include Coat Of Many Colors (1994) and I Am A Rainbow (2009). In 2023, Dolly introduced the beloved new character Billy the Kid, inspired by her favorite god-dog, in Billy the Kid Makes It Big. The book was an instant New York Times bestseller and dubbed a “wholesome howl” by Kirkus Reviews. Her festive 2024 follow-up, Billy the Kid Comes Home for Christmas, was called “heartfelt” and “adorable” by School Library Journal.
Francesco Sedita, President & Publisher, Penguin Workshop, said, “There is no greater joy than working with Dolly on a book about dogs, dancing, and love! And to get a brand-new song from Dolly in the process has been a dream come true. We’re so excited to give Dolly—and her god-dog Billy—a brand new stage.”
Dolly Parton’s Billy the Kid Dances His Heart Out, written by Dolly Parton with Erica S. Perl and illustrated by MacKenzie Haley, is set for release on December 2, 2025, wherever books are sold—and is now available for pre-order.
Penguin Young Readers has released Dolly Parton's Billy the Kid Comes Home for Christmas, a new, standalone sequel to Dolly’s New York Times bestselling picture book, Dolly Parton's Billy the Kid Makes It Big. Featuring Dolly's beloved god-dog and inspired by her song 'Comin' Home for Christmas', this hilarious and heart-warming tale about the true meaning of Christmas follows Billy the Kid, a French bulldog who has everything he could ever want: a place in Nashville, a great band, and even a cross-country tour. But when Billy's band is scheduled to perform at Barkafeller Center on Christmas Day, he must decide what matters to him most: fame or family?
Dolly Parton's Billy the Kid Comes Home for Christmas is also available as an audiobook, read by Dolly. Listen to a sample here.
"I always love celebrating Christmas with my family and of course my god-dog Billy," said Dolly. "Since he's a big star now, he deserves his own holiday special! Using my 'Comin' Home for Christmas' lyrics, I wanted to tell a story about the importance of family and friends, especially during the holidays. I hope this is a book families will be excited to read every year for Christmas."
Dolly's previous children’s books include Coat Of Many Colors (1994) and I Am A Rainbow (2009). In 2023, Parton introduced the beloved new character Billy the Kid, inspired by her favorite god-dog, in Billy the Kid Makes It Big. The book was an instant New York Times bestseller and dubbed a "wholesome howl" by Kirkus Reviews.
Francesco Sedita, President, Penguin Workshop said, "Dolly is making sure that her beloved God Dog Billy will never have a 'Hard Candy Christmas.' This book is pure holiday joy, and we hope that families will enjoy it for generations to come."
Dolly Parton's Billy the Kid Comes Home for Christmas is now available wherever books are sold, as well as in audiobook format, narrated by Dolly Parton.
On October 1, 2024, Penguin Young Readers will publish Dolly Parton's Billy the Kid Comes Home for Christmas, a new, standalone sequel to Dolly’s New York Times bestselling picture book, Dolly Parton's Billy the Kid Makes It Big. This heartwarming tale, written by Dolly Parton with Erica S. Perl and illustrated by MacKenzie Haley, features Dolly’s beloved god-dog and is inspired by her song 'Comin' Home for Christmas'. The story follows Billy the Kid, a French bulldog who seemingly has everything: a place in Nashville, a great band, and even a cross-country tour. But when Billy’s band is scheduled to perform at Barkafeller Center on Christmas Day, he must decide what matters to him most: fame or family?
"I always love celebrating Christmas with my family and of course my god-dog Billy," says Dolly. "Since he’s a big star now, he deserves his own holiday special! Using my 'Comin’ Home for Christmas' lyrics, I wanted to tell a story about the importance of family and friends, especially during the holidays. I hope this is a book families will be excited to read every year for Christmas."
Dolly’s previous children’s books include Coat Of Many Colors (1994) and I Am A Rainbow (2009). In 2023, Dolly introduced the beloved new character Billy the Kid, inspired by her favorite god-dog, in Billy the Kid Makes It Big. The book was an instant New York Times bestseller and dubbed a “wholesome howl” by Kirkus Reviews.
"Dolly is making sure that her beloved God-Dog Billy will never have a ‘Hard Candy Christmas,’" says Francesco Sedita, President, Penguin Workshop. "This book is pure holiday joy, and we hope that families will enjoy it for generations to come."
Dolly Parton's Billy the Kid Comes Home for Christmas is set for release October 1st and is available for pre-order now wherever books are sold.
