Support Dolly Parton's Imagination Library with the new Dolly Parton License Plate.
Imagination Library is pre-selling Dolly Parton License Plates to Tennessee residents. For $35, registered vehicles can display this beautiful license plate featuring Tennessee's Book Lady. Proceeds from sales will benefit Dolly Parton's Imagination Library efforts in the Volunteer State.
A minimum of 1,000 pre-orders are required by the State of Tennessee in order to put the new plate into production.
Visit Dolly Parton's Imagination Library for more information and to Pre-order the Dolly Parton License Plate
Founded in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting organization that has, to date, mailed over 80 million books to children in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and the United States. Each month, the program currently mails over 955,000 specially selected, high-quality, age-appropriate books to registered children from birth to age five in participating communities.
Dolly envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading in children, preparing them for Kindergarten and inspiring them to dream. Recent studies suggest participation in the Imagination Library is positively and significantly associated with higher measures of early language and math development. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
"You can never get enough books into the hands
of enough children."
On June 23, 2016, many homes and businesses were impacted by the flood waters that passed through the southeastern region of West Virginia. As for two public libraries, Rainelle (Greenbrier County) and Clendenin (Kanawha County), the destruction is unimaginable. Total devastation.
In Clay County, flood water found its way into the basement of the Clay County Public Library ruining computers, children’s program supplies and the heating and cooling system.
To rebuild lost collections, Books-A-Million Stores across the state are supporting flood relief efforts by donating a portion of their sales on Saturday, July 16, 2016, to the state Library Commission. Be sure to mention “WV Flood Relief” at the time of purchase to confirm relief efforts.
“It is a company standard of Books-A-Million to provide a warm and genuine atmosphere to our customers,” said Anne-Marie Johnson, general manager of the Beckley Books-A-Million. “Many of our customers are also library patrons, and the partnership between Books-A-Million and local libraries has always been very natural. For many of our customers – particularly in outlying areas – the library is the closest resource for not only books, but also educational courses, local history, children’s activities, and computers for the public’s use. We are very focused on assisting them during this crucial time of need.”
If you are interested in donating time and hard work, please register with Volunteer West Virginia
For an online donation benefitting Rainelle PL, please send funds to: YouCaring Account for Rainelle
Public Library Checks can be mailed to any of the following:
Rainelle Public Library is making a slow, but gradual recovery. The building consumed 5 feet of water, destroying the library’s entire print and digital collection. Most of the furnishings were unsalvageable, but a few things were recovered. Director of Rainelle Public Library, Ann Farr said,
“Thanks to a local church group, clean-up has been better-than-expected and moving along quite well. The National Guard picked up flood-damaged items left by the curb and a contractor was hired to remove interior sheathing and insulation and to inspect the electrical wiring.”
Clendenin Public Library was also declared a catastrophe. Powerful flood waters forced out windows and left 8 inches of mud throughout the building. No printed piece was left unscathed. Tables and chairs floated across the room and computer equipment was destroyed. The electrical and HVAC systems are damaged beyond repair and the structure of the library itself is uncertain. No items are foreseen as salvageable, but as the sifting through continues – so does the assessment.
Recovery time for these libraries is estimated to be several months. The restoration process will be slow and tedious, but the rescue will happen.
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a free book gifting organization that sends nearly one million books per month to children around the world. In West Virginia alone the program serves 21,941 children with help from the WV Dept of Ed and the Arts - the state coordinator which directly oversees all the county programs.
With amazing new entertainment, extended park hours and a nightly fireworks show, Dollywood is the perfect place for families to celebrate the fun and excitement of summer.
From June 11- Aug. 7, Dollywood’s park hours are 10 AM - 10 PM daily, allowing guests more time to create memories and share experiences together. In addition to extended hours during this time, visitors can enjoy Dolly’s Nights of Many Colors, a spectacular synchronized fireworks show which paints a colorful canvas across the Smoky Mountain sky. Guests also can join in the excitement of Lite the Nite, a high-spirited dance party which occurs each evening prior to the fireworks extravaganza.
Two new shows headline the summer beginning with award-winning illusionist Brad Ross’ Unbelievable magic show June 11- July 10. Ross takes audiences on an inspirational journey into a world of fun and magic where anything is possible. Along the way, children learn to discover the magic in everyday items and events they find all around them. Each show features unbelievable magic and illusions, comedy and audience interaction. It’s an awe-inspiring show that is fresh and fun for both kids and adults. Brad said,
"I'm beyond thrilled to be joining the Dollywood family and bringing our incredible illusions, world-class magic and pure family fun to Pigeon Forge this summer. One of the things I'm most excited about is the opportunity to help families experience magic in a whole new way - my show is all about finding the magic that's all around us and there is no more perfect place to make that happen than at Dollywood!"
Dollywood goes to the dogs July 11- Aug. 7 with the high-flying antics of Chris Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience. These talented animals will leave audiences begging for more. Trainers work with these performing pooches to create a high-energy show which features remarkable tricks and eye-popping special effects. All of the dogs in Perondi’s show are adopted from pounds and shelters nationwide. Perondi’s stunt dogs have been featured on “The Tonight Show,” “Ellen” and “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” Chris said,
“I am ‘dog-gone’ excited to bring back my Stunt Dog Experience to Dollywood this summer. Dollywood is one of our favorite theme parks and performing in the Celebrity Theater is an honor. I can promise this show is fur-flying fun for the whole family!”
Summer also means it’s story time again at The Little Engine Playhouse, as some of the Imagination Library’s best titles are brought to life! "Old Bear and His Cub" and "Betty Bunny Didn’t Do It" are featured as 25-minute musicals with special sing-along songs written by Dolly. Everyone’s favorite, "The Little Engine That Could," also comes to the stage with a delightful reminder of what can happen with a bit of determination and courage.
Festive food adds to the Dollywood experience during the summer with unique new items including macaroni & cheese with various toppings, pretzel dogs, banana split funnel cakes and frozen chocolate-dipped bananas.
Explore Dollywood.com or call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD for park hours and show information.
Bookbug Week kicks off on Monday 16 May, at the Battle of Bannockburn visiting centre in Stirling. The inspiring theme, Around the world with Bookbug encourages children and adults alike to explore songs and rhymes from around the globe.
Dolly Parton, the founder of children’s book gifting programme Imagination Library, has recorded an exclusive video to promote Bookbug Week and the importance of sharing rhymes and stories from birth. Dolly said,
"We believe that if every kid grows up with a song in their heart and a book in their hand, well then, there's a pretty good chance that their dreams will come true."
Dolly also contributed a special bonus track, "I Believe in You" to the new Bookbug Toddler CD, gifted to every toddler in Scotland as part of the Bookbug toddler bag. Scottish Book Trust also supports the delivery of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Scotland (free books delivered monthly to every Looked After Child aged 0-5).
Catriona Wallace, Head of Early Years at Scottish Book Trust, has called upon all parents and carers in Scotland to share stories and songs from around the world with their children. Catriona said,
“Songs, rhymes and stories exist in all countries and are a universal thread in children’s early experiences. At least 160 different languages are spoken in Scotland alone, so this year’s Bookbug Week theme offers a fantastic platform to explore and celebrate the many beautiful songs, stories and languages on our own doorstep, as well as from around the world.”
The flagship event to mark the launch of Bookbug Week will take place at the Battle of Bannockburn visiting centre in Stirling on Monday 16 May. Stirling and Clackmannanshire libraries have come together to create a free event packed with activities including a visit from author Simon Puttock and illustrator Eilidh Muldoon, yoga for toddlers, outdoor games and international themed Bookbug Sessions. Children’s author and Bookbug patron, Julia Donaldson said,
“Bookbug Week is the perfect chance to find out more about the Bookbug programme and about free story, song and rhyme sessions in your local area. Introducing children to books at an early age has many wonderful benefits including giving speech and language development a real boost. This year, Bookbug Week encourages you to explore songs and stories from around the world and to discover and enjoy new rhymes and stories from across the globe.”
Discover more about Bookbug Week in Scotland.
This summer, Dolly Parton is embarking on a 60-city tour throughout the United States and Canada and she is making a special stop in Pigeon Forge, TN. On Nov. 15, Dolly will return to her hometown for a special concert which will benefit her Imagination Library.
Dolly's set list during the tour includes a number of hit songs, with a few new offerings from her double-disc album "Pure & Simple with Dolly’s Biggest Hits." She will also perform a number of hits that have not been heard live by some fans in decades.
Tickets go on sale to Dollywood season passholders on June 15 and to the general public on July 1. The concert is set for Nov. 15 at LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge, TN.
UPDATE July 5: SOLD OUT
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a book gifting organization which began in Sevier County, TN. The program, inspired by Dolly's father, has sent over 77 million free books to children in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and the United States.
