Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is embracing the holiday season with gratitude and joy, reflecting on a transformative year marked by meaningful milestones and expanded impact. From reaching more children worldwide to strengthening partnerships that drive its mission, 2024 has been a year of growth and inspiration.
As of December 2024, Dolly’s childhood literacy program has gifted over 264 million books to children across the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia and the Republic of Ireland. As the year comes to a close, the Imagination Library looks back on the moments that brought the gift of books, imagination, and hope to countless families.
This year, the program reached a significant milestone with 3 million children under five registered worldwide, distributing over 3 million books each month. This incredible achievement reflects the dedication of more than 2,800 local Imagination Library Partners working to bring the gift of reading to families everywhere.
In 2024, the Imagination Library expanded its reach across the U.S., celebrating new initiatives and programs:
Dolly visited Missouri and Kentucky to celebrate both states achieving full coverage in all their counties, making every child under five now eligible to receive a free book!
Oregon launched its statewide expansion efforts in May of this year and currently, over 61,000 children in Oregon are enrolled, supported by 56 community programs.
Building on its success in California, the bilingual book collection expanded to Tennessee, D.C., North Carolina, Ohio, and Delaware. Families in these states now have the option to choose the core book program or the 100% bilingual book program.
Globally, the program achieved new milestones in the UK:
From record registration numbers to statewide expansions and global growth, 2024 has been a transformative year for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Dolly now mails a free book EVERY second, and each book delivered brings the Imagination Library closer to its goal of inspiring a lifelong love of reading—one child at a time.
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. Winter is a wonderful time of year to spark the imagination by spending more time reading! Here are a few of the specially selected, age-appropriate books going out to registered children this winter.
Baby Llama turns bedtime into an all-out llama drama in this read-aloud favorite, with infectious rhyming text and expressive artwork by Anna Dewdney.
Introduce your child to the ABCs in "A Northern Alphabet" by Ted Harrison, featuring some distinctly Canadian examples of the letters of the alphabet
Introduce your baby to 15 well-loved, classic nursery rhymes in this beautifully-illustrated book from Ladybird Books.
Join in the spirit of the season and share the gift of literacy with families in your community by donating to your local Imagination Library! A donation as small as $31 covers the cost of providing an Imagination Library book to a child each month for 1 year!
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 crisp air settles in and the leaves begin their colorful dance, Dolly embraces the cozy charm of fall with her signature warmth and heart. From the vibrant hues of autumn to the comfort of gathering with loved ones, she invites you to savor the simple pleasures of the season. Join Dolly as she shares everything she loves about fall, from the beauty of nature to the delicious flavors that make this time of year so special.
"Fall is like nature’s way of wrapping you in a cozy blanket," Dolly says. "It’s a time to slow down, enjoy the crisp air, the beautiful changing leaves, and, of course, some good ol’ comfort food. I always look forward to gathering with loved ones to share the warmth and beauty of the season."
Take a closer look at everything Dolly has in store this autumn!
Dolly Parton and her sister Rachel Parton George release their highly anticipated cookbook, Good Lookin' Cookin', filled with more than 80 delicious dishes as well as photographs of Dolly and Rachel cooking and hosting all year long. With their trademark warmth and sisterly love, Dolly and Rachel remind you that cooking doesn’t need to be serious—it should be fun! And always good lookin’!
Dollywood welcomes guests to celebrate the splendor of autumn during their annual Harvest Festival, happening September 9 – October 28. The popular event, which includes the family-friendly Great Pumpkin LumiNights, features all of the fun, flavorful food and award-winning entertainment that make this a must-see experience for your family this fall!
Dolly announces the launch of her long-awaited cosmetics brand Dolly Beauty, an extension of her successful fragrances in partnership with Scent Beauty. Dolly Beauty products are now available exclusively on DollyBeauty.com with in-store rollout beginning in 2025.
Enjoy family fun this fall at Dolly Parton’s Stampede in Pigeon Forge, TN, and Branson, MO. From thrilling horse riding stunts to a four-course country feast, it’s no surprise why this is the most fun place to eat!
Set sail on an autumn adventure at Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show in Pigeon Forge, TN, and Myrtle Beach, SC. You'll witness epic pirate battles and high-diving mermaids, all while enjoying a delectable four-course feast.
Dolly recently visited the Statewide Celebrations for her Imagination Library in Missouri and Kentucky. Meanwhile, the program celebrated significant international growth, marking the milestone of gifting its 6 millionth book in the UK.
Two new tracks have been released from the unprecedented historical project 'Dolly Parton & Family: Smoky Mountain DNA – Family, Faith & Fables': the uplifting title track "Smoky Mountain DNA" and a rousing rendition of her previously unreleased 1998 song "A Rose Won’t Fix It," performed by Dolly and Heidi Parton. Set for release on November 15th, the full track listing features contributions from multiple generations of Dolly’s family.
Penguin Young Readers has released Dolly Parton's Billy the Kid Comes Home for Christmas, a hilarious and heartwarming tale about the true meaning of Christmas, featuring Dolly's beloved god-dog and inspired by her song 'Comin' Home for Christmas.' Available now wherever books are sold, as well as in audiobook format, narrated by Dolly.
As the season wraps you in its comforting embrace, take time to cherish the small joys that make fall so special. Whether it’s the vibrant colors, the crisp air, or the familiar warmth of a home-cooked meal, autumn offers us moments to slow down and savor life’s simple pleasures. So, as the leaves continue to fall and the days grow shorter, may you find beauty, peace, and inspiration in the season’s gentle rhythms, just as Dolly does.
I can hear the wind go whistling through the treetops
I hear raindrops falling softly to the ground
In the distance I can hear the roar of thunder
Seems there’s sounds of nature all around
Sounds of nature fill the air with music
How I love and cherish every sound
I often kneel in prayer to thank the Master
For the sounds of nature all around
Love,
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library kicks off the fall season by celebrating fresh milestones in its expansion efforts and promoting positive reading habits with an imaginative lineup of autumn books!
Dolly’s book-gifting program has now gifted over 251 million books 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!TM
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) welcomed Dolly to Missouri on August 27 to celebrate the success of her Imagination Library. This Statewide Imagination Library Celebration followed last November's announcement that every child in Missouri is now eligible to participate in the program, receiving one free, high-quality, age-appropriate book per month until their fifth birthday.
Out of all the statewide programs, no other state has launched a fully funded program with all children under age five eligible from the very first day of the statewide rollout.
On the same day, Dolly visited Kentucky, where Governor Andy Beshear and First Lady Britainy Beshear welcomed her to celebrate Kentucky’s success in expanding the program to every county in the commonwealth.
More than 500 local Imagination Library program partners, library staff, literacy advocates, and others who contributed to the expansion gathered at the historic Lyric Theatre in downtown Lexington. They heard inspiring words from Dolly and celebrated this major milestone. Now, every child in Kentucky can receive one free book per month, from birth to age 5, ensuring they can build their own at-home library before starting kindergarten.
In July, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library celebrated a significant milestone with its authority-wide expansion in East Riding of Yorkshire, UK, made possible by a £500,000 investment from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council. Now, all children in East Riding are eligible to receive FREE books each month from birth to age five!
The celebration continued into August, when the Imagination Library gifted its 6 millionth book in the UK! This achievement was made possible by the support of over 435 incredible organizations across the country. Thanks to these local partners and supporters, the Imagination Library is making a lasting impact by inspiring a love of reading in children throughout the UK.
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. Autumn is a wonderful time of year to spark the imagination by spending more time reading! Here are a few of the specially selected, age-appropriate books going out to registered children this fall.
"Red Sky at Night" is a memorable collection of weather sayings, beautifully arranged in story form and illustrated by renowned paper artist Elly MacKay. #DollysLibrary #CanadaBook #ReadOnCanada
Turn the pages of this adorable board book, perfect for little fingers, as your baby guesses the sound each animal makes!
Perfect for bedtime reading, this witty picture book by Ed Vere is a joyful and inspirational celebration of beauty, mistakes and the artist in all of us.
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 season unfolds with its vibrant energy and long, lazy days, Dolly dives headfirst into the joy of summer, infusing it with her own special brand of magic. With days filled with sunshine, laughter, and the sweet melodies of summer, she invites you to join in the joy and experience everything she loves about this vibrant time of year.
"Summer is like a big ol' party that nature throws every year," Dolly says. "It's a time to be a little more carefree, feel the sunshine on your face, and enjoy the simple pleasures with those you love."
Take a closer look at everything Dolly has in store this summer!
Guests to Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration, happening now through August 11, can enjoy all the Smoky Mountain sights, sounds, and tastes, as well as the brand-new Dolly Parton Experience and the returning favorite Sweet Summer Nights Dance Party and Drone Show.
Celebrate summer at the World’s Most Visited Dinner Attraction®, featuring thrilling horse riding stunts, phenomenal musical productions, incredible special effects, and a mouthwatering four-course feast.
Set sail on an action-packed summer adventure at Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show, where you'll witness epic pirate battles and high-diving mermaids, all while enjoying a delectable four-course feast.
Dolly’s childhood literacy program celebrates reaching a new milestone, now gifting over 3 million books per month to children worldwide, while expanding its bilingual program to five additional states and launching a statewide expansion in Oregon.
Dolly announced from the stage of the CMA Fest in Nashville that she will partner with ATG Productions to bring a new musical inspired by her life and trailblazing career, titled Hello, I’m Dolly, to Broadway in 2026.
Dolly introduces her first collection of wines, Dolly Wines, hitting stores in July 2024 and now exclusively available for pre-sale through Vivino on DollyWines.com.
Dolly, in collaboration with Owepar Entertainment, is thrilled to announce an unprecedented exploration of her rich family heritage with the upcoming release of 'Dolly Parton & Family: Smoky Mountain DNA – Family, Faith & Fables,' set for release on November 15. Additionally, a companion four-part docuseries chronicling her rich family heritage is currently in production.
Building upon the success of two GRAMMY® nominations and coming off the first leg of a national tour with Lauren Daigle, two-time DOVE Award winner Blessing Offor has released a brand-new song collaboration with Dolly Parton, titled “Somebody’s Child.”
Whether you’re hosting a girls' night or a backyard barbeque, Dolly's collections of partyware are the perfect theme for your event. From festive paper plates to decorated napkins, wooden cutlery and décor, find items from the "I Beg Your Parton" and "Patriotic Butterflies" design collections on Amazon today!
As we bask in the warm glow of summer and embrace its carefree spirit, let's celebrate the joyful moments, both big and small, that make this season truly magical.
Sittin’ on the front porch on a summer afternoon
In a straightback chair on two legs, leaned against the wall
Watch the kids a playin’ with June bugs on a string
And chase the glowin’ fireflies when evening shadows fall
In my Tennessee mountain home
Life is as peaceful as a baby’s sigh
In my Tennessee mountain home
Crickets sing in the fields near by
Love,
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
