Released by Dollywood and Abramorama in association with The Dollywood Foundation, "The Library That Dolly Built" is a behind-the-scenes look at Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. The one-night event will integrate with Imagination Library affiliate partners in multiple communities around the country and is set for screenings in over 300 locations on Thursday, April 2, 2020. In New York City, the film will premiere at the Sillas SVA Theater, hosted by United Way of New York City and featuring an appearance by Dolly Parton.
Dolly created her Imagination Library to inspire a love for books and reading amongst the nation’s preschool children. Since inception in 1995, the Imagination Library has gifted more than 135 million books to children and is currently gifting books to 1.45 million children around the world each month.
Dolly Parton said, “I always felt we owed the world a better and deeper understanding of the Imagination Library but the stars never quite aligned. When Nick Geidner came to us with his unique vision and talent, I knew the time had come to make this film. I am a charter member of the Dream More Club so with the help of Abramorama, Dollywood and all of our community partners, we hope to make a big splash in theaters all across the country on April 2. We have come a long way but there is so much left to do!”
The Imagination Library affiliates screening the film on April 2, 2020, will receive 50% of box office proceeds to further their year-round efforts. Timed to the nationwide screening event of "The Library That Dolly Built" and the NYC premiere screening, Sheena Wright, President & CEO United Way of New York City, will be announcing a significant expansion of UWNYC’s ReadNYC: Books from Birth initiative, the affiliate initiative for Imagination Library efforts in New York City.
"The Library That Dolly Built," directed and produced by journalism professor and director of Land Grant Films Nick Geidner, and narrated by Danica McKellar, goes behind the scenes of Dolly Parton’s literacy-focused non-profit, Imagination Library, to show how one of the most famous and beloved performers in the world has developed an efficient and effective program for spreading the love of reading. Imagination Library started as a gift for the children in Dolly’s hometown, Sevierville, Tennessee, and is now active in all 50 states, and 5 countries, gifting 1.45 million free, age-appropriate books to children every month. The film also provides a glimpse of the profound impact the Imagination Library has on the people through original interviews with authors, policymakers, Imagination Library staff, recipients, and the legend herself, Dolly Parton. Woven throughout the film is a biographical sketch of Dolly Parton, featuring rare photos and films from her childhood. Unlike most biographies of Dolly, it doesn’t focus on her music. Instead, it demonstrates that at every point in her career, any time she has had success, Dolly Parton has come back to Sevierville to give back to her people.
Abramorama commented, “Dolly Parton is an American icon well beyond her musical and acting talents. Her vision to tackle illiteracy with her foundation has improved the lives of millions of children and will continue to do so for years to come. All of us at Abramorama are honored to collaborate with Dollywood, The Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library to help get the story of Dolly’s literacy program to fans around the world. Amazing as her foundation is, only one person on this planet can say she’s gifted over one-hundred-million books to children…Dolly Parton!"
March is National Reading Month and the Imagination Library will screen an exclusive clip from "The Library That Dolly Built" at the Fourteenth Annual The Power of Women Making a Difference awards luncheon at the Ziegfeld Ballroom on March 4th to further promote the message that reading to children is one of the most important steps to better prepare children for a lifetime of learning.
Penguin Young Readers announced today the publication of a commemorative 90th Anniversary edition of Watty Piper’s The Little Engine That Could. Scheduled for publication on April 7, 2020, as part of a 90th Anniversary publishing program, the book will feature reimagined illustrations by Caldecott Award-winner Dan Santat, and an introduction by Dolly Parton, award-winning singer-songwriter and founder of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Dolly Parton recalls the lasting impact of "The Little Engine That Could". Dolly said,
“My memories take me way back to a little cabin in East Tennessee. This was not a place where dreams easily came true. Too often, there was talk about all of the things we couldn’t do rather than all of the things we could do. On many occasions, when my dream seemed far away, my Mama would tell me the story of the Little Engine to comfort and encourage me. While I listened to her, I would close my eyes and think of myself as the Little Engine and just start saying over and over again, ‘I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.’ It gave me strength, it gave me hope, and it gave me the courage to keep chasing my dreams.”
Caldecott Award-winning artist Dan Santat was honored to illustrate the 90th anniversary edition: “It doesn’t take much to lift a person’s spirits and make us believe that we can all possibly become more than we ever dreamed, and it’s all thanks to a little blue engine.”
“I think I can, I think I can.” These simple words, now ubiquitous, were first uttered 90 years ago by the Little Blue Engine in the children’s classic "The Little Engine That Could." One of the most popular and enduring picture books of the last century, "The Little Engine That Could" has sold more than 20 million copies and inspired millions of children to push their boundaries and challenge their fears. It is the first book every child receives from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which now gifts half a million copies every year. The book has been adapted for film multiple times over the years, including a 3-D adaptation in 2011 featuring the voices of Whoopi Goldberg, Jamie Lee Curtis, Alyson Stoner, and Corbin Bleu. In 2005, Penguin Young Readers published an edition illustrated by Loren Long.
Watty Piper was a pen name of Arnold Munk, an owner of the publishing firm Platt & Munk. Arnold Munk was born in Hungary and, as a child, moved with his family to Chicago. He later moved to New York, where he died in 1957. Arnold Munk used the name Watty Piper as both an author of children's books and as the editor of many of the books that Platt & Munk published.
Dan Santat is the author and illustrator of the Caldecott Award-winning "The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend," as well as the New York Times Best Selling titles "Are We There Yet?", "After the Fall", and others. He is also the creator of Disney's animated hit, "The Replacements." Dan lives in Southern California with his wife, two kids, and a menagerie of pets.
Visit him at dantat.com
We Are Family Foundation© (WAFF) will honor legendary artist Dolly Parton at its 2019 Celebration. The event will be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2019, at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. Iconic fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier will also receive honors that night.
WAFF, a not-for-profit organization founded by legendary multiple GRAMMY© Award winning musician Nile Rodgers. It's dedicated to the vision of a global family. WAFF creates and supports programs that promote cultural diversity while nurturing the vision, talents and ideas of young people who are positively changing the world.
"We've wanted to recognize and honor the extraordinary accomplishments of Dolly Parton for many years. Her exemplary work as an artist, businesswoman and philanthropist is an example for us all. She symbolizes everything that is great about music and America. Jean Paul Gaultier is someone who I'm happy to call a friend. His incomparable work as an iconic fashion designer and forward thinker has changed our culture in a way the world has greatly benefitted from. We are enormously grateful to our honorees for their exceptional work to improve humanity and we warmly welcome them into our WAFF family", said Rodgers.
Dolly Parton, legendary singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, actress, author, businesswoman and humanitarian will receive the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peacemaker Award. Over the years, Parton has supported many charitable efforts, particularly in the area of literacy, primarily through the Dollywood Foundation. Her literacy program, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, a part of the Dollywood Foundation, mails one book per month to each enrolled child from the time of their birth until they enter kindergarten. In August of 2019, the program and its partners gifted a book to over 1.4 million children. And to date, the organization has gifted over 125 million free books to children in five countries. In 2018, the Library of Congress honored Dolly Parton when her Imagination Library mailed its 100 millionth book.
With a record for any female artist of 26 songs reaching No. 1 on the Billboard country charts; 42 career top-10 country albums, a record for any artist; and 110 career-charted singles over the past 40 years, Parton remains one of the most-honored female country performers of all time.
"To say that I am honored would be quite an understatement. I am so humbled to be included in with such an amazing group of people. I have often said that I don't count my awards, but this is one I will not soon forget. The Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peacemaker Award from the We Are Family Foundation represents so many of the characteristics that I strive every day to live by. I believe in family, I believe in love, and I believe that together we can change the world", said Parton.
With this honor, Dolly joins previous honorees including President Jimmy Carter, Desmond Tutu, Roger Daltrey CBE, Paul Simon, Dr. Maya Angelou and Quincy Jones.
Jean Paul Gaultier will receive the Humanitarian Award. Gaultier, a French couturier started an apprenticeship at 18 in the fashion house of Parisian designer Pierre Cardin and by 1976, founded his own eponymous fashion label. Gaultier started his ascent in the fashion world in the early eighties adding a men's collection in 1984, and two years later opening his first boutique in Paris. In 1997 with his showing of his first haute couture collection, Gaultier secured his place in the fashion industry.
With Gaultier's desire to illuminate and support human individuality and beauty, he used unconventional models for his shows. This earned him both criticism and enormous popularity. In acknowledgement of his role in reshaping popular perceptions of humanity through fashion and in redirecting the creative process, Gaultier was awarded in 2001 the title of Chevalier de la Lègion d'Honneur ("Knight of the Legion of Honor"), one of France's highest honors, amongst many other awards and accolades he has received.
"It is with great honor that I receive the 2019 Humanitarian Award. I have always believed that all people are beautiful, no matter what their color, shape, size, creed, or sexuality. It is the inner beauty of all people and what we do for others that contributes the most to our beautiful global family", said Jean Paul Gaultier.
Previous honorees of the Humanitarian Award include Bono, Sting & Trudie Styler, Steven Van Zandt, Nile Rodgers, Jackson Browne, Peter Gabriel and Sir Elton John. Nile Rodgers & CHIC and Dolly Parton will perform live at the event.
To purchase tickets or to contribute to We Are Family Foundation, please visit wearefamilyfoundation.org. Contributions are fully tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
We Are Family Foundation is a not-for-profit organization founded by legendary musician Nile Rodgers and is dedicated to the vision of a global family by supporting and creating programs that promote cultural diversity while nurturing and mentoring the vision, talents and ideas of young people globally who are positively changing the world.
Visit We Are Family Foundation© to learn more.
Dolly Parton’s Stampede in Pigeon Forge, TN will host the 13th Annual Fun-Filled “Whoadeo” Kids’ Event. “Whoadeo offers the perfect chance for families searching for great kids activities, festive fall decorations, food, mascots and storytelling. Activities include costume contests, mascot characters from a variety of Smoky Mountain attractions, stick horse competitions and a free outdoor carnival from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Area attractions as well as law enforcement, fire and rescue partners also are part of this special event, adding to the family atmosphere and offering information in an entertaining way.
The popular celebrity storytelling stage returns this year highlighting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Guest storytellers include Knoxville TV personalities, Stampede emcee Jay Teter and his sidekick Skeeter, Pirates Voyage very own Blackbeard and performers from Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, The Comedy Barn Theater and Smoky Mountain Opry.
Everyone is looking forward to the costume contest and stick horse competition. Children will participate in three age groups: ages 3-5; 6-9 and 10-12. Every Whoadeo participant (ages 3-12) receives a free Stampede admission ticket to the 3:30 p.m. dinner show on Sept. 21. Children may register for the Whoadeo on Saturday, Sept. 21 beginning at 8 a.m. at Dolly Parton’s Stampede located at 3849 Parkway in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
The only requirement to compete in the competition is a stick horse which can be homemade or purchased. Free stick horses also will be provided at the event, while supplies last. Participants will compete in a series of Whoadeo competitions, including a cowboy costume contest, a “parade of stick horses” and “stick horse barrel races.” These contests all will take place inside the Stampede building, offering a rare chance for children to actually participate on the main arena floor. Contestants compete for first, second and third place prizes in each of three age brackets (ages 3-5, 6-9 and 10-12) for each competition – including bicycles and tablets.
Stick Horse Competition Times
*Registration ends 45 minutes prior to each competition.
“This is Food City’s 13th year to join Dolly Parton’s dinner shows for this family-friendly Whoadeo event,” said Steven C. Smith, President/CEO of Food City. “From returning competitors to first-time participants, this event celebrates creativity in an atmosphere that’s fun for everyone.”
All children must be accompanied by a parent and/or guardian. Families are invited to attend the free Whoadeo carnival from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Stampede parking lot. Food City will provide complimentary snacks for participating children and Coca-Cola® will provide free soft drinks. Each Whoadeo participant also will receive a Kid’s Club backpack from Food City (while supplies last), a voucher for one free child’s ticket to The Comedy Barn Theater and a complimentary one-day child’s ticket to Dollywood (valid for children ages 3-9 years old).
For more information on the Whoadeo Kids Event, call 865-453-4400 or visit DPStampede.com/KidsEvent.
“Coca-Cola” is a registered trademark of The Coca-Cola Company.
Dolly Parton appeared as a keynote speaker at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) 2019 Legislative Summit, held August 5-8 in Nashville, TN. The annual bipartisan conference aims to provide states “support, ideas, connections and a strong voice on Capitol Hill,” and Dolly took the stage to talk about literacy and her Imagination Library program.
During a Q&A segment with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Dolly shared how her father’s inability to read or write inspired her to launch the Imagination Library, which mails one free book each month to children from birth to age five in participating communities. What started in 1995 as a program in her hometown of Sevier County, TN, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library now spans five countries and mails over 1.4 million free books each month to children around the world.
The Imagination Library relies on local partners to secure funding for the program, and in 2004, the state of Tennessee became the first to pass legislation supporting a statewide rollout of the program. During their on-stage discussion, Gov. Lee emphasized the scientifically-proven benefits of reading to your child, while Dolly encouraged all of the legislative leaders in attendance to adopt the Imagination Library as a statewide program so that “all children in our country will have access to books.”
“We’d like all the states to go statewide with it,” she said. “It’s not just for poor kids, but for all kids, for every child who signs up.”
Representing the Tennessee General Assembly, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally and House Speaker-select Cameron Sexton appeared on stage to present Dolly with a $25,000 check for her Dollywood Foundation, which funds the Imagination Library.
Dolly concluded her appearance with a touching performance of “Coat of Many Colors” and brought the entire audience to their feet with an inspiring rendition of “Try,” a song she wrote to celebrate her Imagination Library. Dolly left all of the conference attendees with a message of inspiration, encouraging them all to follow their dreams, to respect and love all of God’s children and to take any opportunity to work together.
Pictured Above: Dolly Parton, Toi Hutchinson (Illinois, Legislator)
Photo Credit: Kayla Schoen
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