Dolly’s childhood literacy program now gifts over 3.4 MILLION books each month and, as of March, 2026, the Imagination Library has gifted more than 314 million books to children across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and the Republic of Ireland.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has gifted millions of books to children from birth to age five. Now, a groundbreaking international study—the largest dataset ever collected on shared book reading—reaffirms the program’s powerful impact.
“My dream has always been to help children love books and love learning, no matter where they live," Dolly says. "It warms my heart to know this research shows the difference a book can make.”
Led by researcher Dr. Claire Galea, the study followed more than 86,000 caregivers across five countries over a twelve-month period, comparing families enrolled in the Imagination Library with those not yet receiving books.
The findings show that even a small number of books can create meaningful change. After receiving just 10 books, children in the program were significantly more likely to demonstrate stronger early literacy skills—such as vocabulary development and phonological awareness—helping to close gaps that often begin before a child ever enters the classroom.
Beyond early literacy development, the study highlights the Imagination Library’s impact on everyday family life—helping to establish consistent reading routines and deepen engagement between children and caregivers.
Children enrolled in the program were far more likely to be read to regularly and to actively participate during shared reading experiences. Caregivers also reported more interactive reading behaviors, from talking about pictures to encouraging children to hold and explore books themselves.
Together, these moments add up—fostering not only stronger literacy skills, but also a lifelong love of reading and meaningful family traditions centered around books.
For further details, view the International Research Summary at https://imaginationlibrary.com/international-research/
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading and learning by gifting books, free of charge, to families through funding shared by Dolly and local community partners. Spring is a season of growth and new beginnings—making it the perfect time to nurture a child’s imagination through books.
Here are a few of the specially selected, age-appropriate books going out to registered children this spring:
Baby Touch: Farm
This playful touch-and-feel book from Ladybird engages babies while they discover the farm and spot all their favourite farm animals!
Sparkle and Splodge
This positive picture book by Neil Clark celebrates the importance of creative fun, making mistakes, and learning from others. A brilliant read-aloud before bedtime!
Sparkle and Splodge
This positive picture book by Neil Clark celebrates the importance of creative fun, making mistakes, and learning from others. A brilliant read-aloud before bedtime!
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.
As the year comes to a close, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is embracing the holiday season with gratitude and reflection—looking back on a milestone year defined by growth, inclusion, and global impact. In its celebratory 30th anniversary year, the Imagination Library marked a breathtaking achievement: more than 300 million books gifted to children since the program began in 1995. Just two years after crossing the 200 million mark, the program now delivers an incredible 3.4 million books each month, made possible by the dedication of more than 2,800 Local Program Partners across five countries.
In 2025, statewide expansion efforts continued to bring the Imagination Library to more families than ever before. Alabama and Oregon both achieved full statewide availability this year, making every child under age five in the states of Alabama and Oregon eligible to receive a free book each month. Montana held a celebration of its statewide success, marking two years of full statewide availability for children under five.
The bilingual English/Spanish book collection is now available in Washington, Colorado, Montana, Kansas, Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, Kentucky, Maine, Illinois, Oregon, Indiana, Oklahoma, Missouri, West Virginia, and New Mexico. Families in participating states can choose to receive books in both English and Spanish from enrollment through their child’s fifth birthday and select their preferred language for all program communications—helping ensure more children see themselves reflected in the stories they read.
The Imagination Library continued to celebrate meaningful milestones beyond the United States in 2025. In Canada, the program surpassed 4 million books gifted since launching in 2006, reflecting nearly two decades of collaboration among hundreds of local partners and volunteers nationwide. This year also reinforced the program’s commitment to representation, with eight Indigenous-authored or illustrated titles included among the 70 books selected for the Canada Book Selection, honoring the voices of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.
In Australia, the Imagination Library celebrated the delivery of its 2 millionth book, a milestone supported by world-leading research demonstrating the program’s positive impact on early literacy and home reading environments.
From celebrating 30 years of impact to reaching 300 million books gifted worldwide, 2025 has been a transformative year for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. For Dolly, every book remains a gift of possibility—one inspired by her father and rooted in the belief that access to books can change a child’s life.
As the year draws to a close, the Imagination Library looks ahead with gratitude for the partners, volunteers, and families who make this work possible—and with renewed commitment to inspiring a lifelong love of reading, one book, one child, one joyful delivery at a time.
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.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library enters the fall season by celebrating new achievements in its statewide expansion efforts and inspiring a love of reading in children all over the world as it reaches a new monumental milestone!
Dolly’s childhood literacy program now gifts over 3.4 million books per month to children across the U.S., Canada, UK, Australia and the Republic of Ireland. As we embark upon the fall season, the Imagination Library continues to inspire more children around the world to Dream More, Learn More, Care More and Be More!
This November, at the peak of its celebratory 30th anniversary year and in perfect harmony with National Family Literacy Month, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is marking a breathtaking milestone: over 300 million books gifted to children since the program began in 1995!
Just two years after crossing the 200 million mark, the Imagination Library has soared to new heights, now gifting an incredible 3.4 million books each month to children around the world and will deliver its 300 Millionth book this fall. This remarkable achievement wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of more than 2,800 Local Program Partners who help bring Dolly’s dream to life in communities across five countries.
For Dolly, every book is a gift of possibility. Inspired by her father, who couldn’t read or write, she created the Imagination Library to help children dream bigger, learn more, and believe in themselves through the gift of literacy.
With 300 million books in the hands of children — and counting — her vision continues to grow, one book, one child, one joyful delivery at a time.
Governor Greg Gianforte and First Lady Susan Gianforte welcomed partners, supporters and guests to the Imagination Library of Montana’s Statewide Celebration, held August 27, 2025, to celebrate two years since the Imagination Library became available to all Montana children under the age of five and bring awareness to the program.
In June 2023, First Lady Gianforte announced that the program was available statewide. There are now about 27,500 children enrolled, and that number continues to grow. Over 590,000 books have been mailed in Montana since the program’s statewide expansion!
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. Fall is a beautiful time of year to spark the imagination, not only by spending more time enjoying fall festivities, but also by spending more time reading! Here are a few of the specially selected, age-appropriate books going out to registered children this fall.
In this infectious story by Anna Dewdney, join Llama Llama as he experiences the highs and lows that all children have at bedtime. The perfect nighttime story for your child to learn about their emotions!
Hop on a tow-truck ride with Toad as he learns that everyone needs help sometimes—even the helpers—in this acclaimed picture book by Jashar Awan.
Max embarks on a journey to find the moon and wish it goodnight in this playful bedtime excursion by Ed Vere.
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.
Dolly is headed to the Las Vegas Strip with a brand-new limited-run engagement at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace! Dolly: Live in Las Vegas will feature six performances running from December 4 through 13, 2025* during National Finals Rodeo.
*Due to exceptional demand, tickets for this engagement are fully sold out. Sincere thanks to all of Dolly's fans for the enthusiastic response.
Bringing together two giants of American music, the new rendition of “Home Sweet Home” featuring Dolly Parton offers a powerful twist on the 1985 hit. A portion of the proceeds from the single will benefit Covenant House, an organization that provides safe shelter, meals, hope and more to help youth experiencing homelessness.
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration presented by Food City (June 14 – Aug. 3) is the ultimate home for the family summer road trip this year. With a 40th anniversary celebration show, an anniversary season-themed drone show and the fun of summer in the Smokies, Dollywood is the place to be!
Celebrate summer and create unforgettable family memories with a visit to Dolly Parton’s Stampede! With two locations in Pigeon Forge, TN, and Branson, MO, you’re in for a treat at this popular dinner show, and you won’t want to miss the opportunity to experience the most fun place to eat!
Make your summer vacation one to remember at Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show! This dinner show attraction has three locations in Pigeon Forge, TN, Myrtle Beach, SC, and Panama City Beach, FL, and offers an action packed pirate adventure and a four-course feast. There’s no better place to kick off your family vacation!
The Imagination Library celebrates new milestones 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 2025, the Imagination Library has gifted over 284 million books to children across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and the Republic of Ireland.
Dolly announced the cast, the music team, and the design team for the upcoming world premiere of Dolly: A True Original Musical as rehearsals commence in Dolly's hometown of Nashville, TN. Preview performances start Friday, July 18 for a Friday, August 8 opening night at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Belmont University. Due to overwhelming demand, the run has been extended with tickets now on sale through Sunday, August 31.
Kendra Scott announces the launch of the second Dolly Parton collection, a celebration of music, fashion, and female empowerment. This latest chapter in their collaboration draws inspiration from Dolly’s iconic song “I Will Always Love You,” honoring her legacy through handcrafted designs infused with heartfelt symbolism and personal storytelling.
Dolly Parton’s Star of the Show: My Life on Stage celebrates her iconic career with 350 rare photos, personal stories, and a comprehensive performance archive. On sale Nov. 11 and available now for pre-order!
Summer is a season of sunshine, growth, and golden memories. As the days stretch long and warm, Dolly reminds us to soak in the simple joys — whether it’s sharing a laugh with loved ones, enjoying the beauty of nature, or humming your favorite tune under the stars. Let this season fill your heart with light, laughter, and a song that carries you through summer.
Sittin' on the front porch on a summer afternoon
In a straight back chair on two legs leaned against the wall
As I watch the kids a-playin' with their June bugs on a string
And chase the glowin' fireflies when evenin' shadows fall
In my Tennessee mountain home
Life is as peaceful as a baby's sigh
In my Tennessee mountain home
Crickets are singing in the fields near by
Love,
Dolly’s childhood literacy program now gifts over 3 MILLION books each month and, as of June 2025, the Imagination Library has gifted over 284 million books to children across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and the Republic of Ireland.
In Canada, the Imagination Library recently marked a major milestone: more than 4 million books have been gifted to families nationwide since the Canadian program launched in 2006. This achievement reflects decades of work by hundreds of local partners and volunteers across the country.
In 2025, the program continues its commitment to representation and inclusivity with a strong focus on Indigenous storytelling. Of the 70 books selected for the Canada Book Selection, eight are authored or illustrated by Indigenous Canadians—each one a reflection of the rich cultural heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.
In Oregon, the Imagination Library has hit a historic milestone one year after its statewide launch. Now every child under age five in Oregon is eligible to receive a free Imagination Library book each month, thanks to a grassroots effort backed by state and local partners.
In just one year, enrollment has grown from about 54,000 to over 65,000 children – an increase of more than 11,000 young readers. Enrollment is available for children from birth to age five in every ZIP code in Oregon, and parents can register their child online anytime at imaginationlibrary.com.
After successfully launching its bilingual English/Spanish book program in California in 2023, the Imagination Library expanded the collection to five additional states in 2024: Tennessee, D.C., North Carolina, Ohio, and Delaware. This summer, the bilingual English/Spanish book collection is rolling out to 16 more states!
Now, families in Washington, Colorado, Montana, Kansas, Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, Kentucky, Maine, Illinois, Oregon, Indiana, Oklahoma, Missouri, West Virginia, and New Mexico can opt to receive books in both English and Spanish every month—from enrollment until their child’s fifth birthday. Parents can also select their preferred language for all program communications. By continuing to expand its bilingual offerings, the Imagination Library takes an important step toward providing equitable access to high-quality children’s books for families of all languages.
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.
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!
Funny yet powerful, Nicholas Oldland's contemporary fable captivates little ones with a heartwarming story that highlights the incredible power of a simple hug.
Take your little one on a dog adventure full of fairytale magic in this book from Louise Yates, filled with friendship, beloved characters, and enchanting tales.
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.
