Dolly Parton's Imagination Library marks its 30th anniversary in 2025, celebrating a remarkable legacy of nurturing a love of reading in over 270 million children. Since its humble beginnings in 1995, starting in Dolly’s hometown of Sevier County, Tennessee, this local literacy initiative has blossomed into a global phenomenon. Today, the Imagination Library gifts free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five, no matter their family’s income, across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland.
Every month, each registered child receives a brand-new, age-appropriate book in the mail, addressed to them by name – a personal gift from Dolly that often becomes a cherished monthly ritual. By sending high-quality books directly to children’s homes, Dolly wanted kids to feel excited about reading and experience the wonder that books can create.
From the beginning, Dolly had a vision to ensure every child could experience the joy of reading. In 2011, the Imagination Library partnered with the American Printing House for the Blind, creating audio and Braille versions of select books for children with visual impairments. By 2015, the program began including bilingual English–Spanish titles, recognizing the importance of diverse languages in celebrating families’ heritages. Recently, California became the first state to offer a fully bilingual Imagination Library statewide, allowing children to receive all their gifted books in both English and Spanish.
In February 2018, Dolly celebrated an inspiring milestone by dedicating the Imagination Library’s 100 millionth gifted book—a special edition of her beloved story, "Coat of Many Colors"—to the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Dolly joined Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden to read with children and share gratitude for how far the program had come. Calling the honor something she would treasure forever, Dolly proudly placed the book in the world’s largest library, a testament to what community and compassion can achieve.
During challenging times in 2020, Dolly’s warmth reached families through “Goodnight with Dolly,” a comforting video bedtime story series. Each week, Dolly invited children around the world to join her online, snuggled in pajamas and reading favorite stories from the Imagination Library. This series quickly became a beloved weekly tradition, offering comfort and joy while reminding everyone to keep dreaming and believing during the Covid-19 pandemic.
After three decades, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library continues to make an incredible impact:
Dolly often says the Imagination Library holds a special place in her heart. Her late father once told her it was probably the most important thing she had ever done—a compliment Dolly treasures deeply. Founded as a tribute to him, the Imagination Library honors her father’s memory by inspiring children everywhere to dream big and love reading. With the help of thousands of local partners, Dolly’s mission has blossomed into a worldwide movement.
Each month, as children excitedly open their books addressed personally to them, Dolly’s dream thrives. Parents and caregivers cherish the bonding moments and bedtime routines these books create, making Dolly’s monthly gifts a treasured family tradition. After three decades, Dolly’s vision resonates deeply, proving a simple act of love—gifting a story—can echo across generations, brightening the lives of children and families everywhere.
After 30 incredible years, Dolly’s Imagination Library continues to grow—inspiring a love of reading, one book, one child, and one imagination at a time.
Spring is a wonderful time of year to let your child’s reading skills bloom by opening a good book together! Celebrate springtime with a few of these specially selected, age-appropriate books going out to registered children this spring.
This delightful book by Kari Percival embodies the magic of gardening and encourages all readers to interact with nature at their own comfortable pace.
A farm girl with a big imagination turns her landlocked home into an ocean playground in this dreamy picture book by Kallie George with illustrations by Elly MacKay.
This playful touch-and-feel book from Ladybird engages babies while they discover the farm and spot all their favourite farm animals.
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.
The holidays are here, and Dolly is ready to deck the halls with warmth, cheer, and a little extra sparkle! This Christmas season, she’s inviting everyone to celebrate the magic of togetherness, the joy of giving, and the timeless traditions that make this time of year so special.
"There’s nothing quite like Christmas to bring us together," Dolly says. "The music, the traditions, and the love that we share remind us of what’s most important—family, friends, and the spirit of giving. That's what makes this the most wonderful time of year!"
Take a closer look at everything Dolly has in store this holiday season!
Billboard has ranked Dolly #1 on their prestigious list of the "100 Greatest Country Artists of All Time." The list, compiled by Billboard’s editorial team, highlights the most influential and enduring figures in country music. Dolly’s spot at the top solidifies her legacy as a trailblazer whose impact transcends generations.
The merriment of the season returns during Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas, happening now through January 5, 2025, with cherished traditions for generations of Dollywood guests. From award-winning stage productions to delicious culinary masterpieces and 6 million twinkling lights, there is something festive in store for every family member.
Witness an incredible Christmas show at Dolly Parton’s Stampede in Branson, MO, and Pigeon Forge, TN! Experience a full-scale Nativity, a spectacular new ice-skating act, seasonal decorations, Santa Claus, an enchanting aerial performance and a delicious four-course holiday meal.
Celebrate the season at Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show with a festive Christmas show in Myrtle Beach, SC, featuring thrilling stunts, a live Nativity, and a delicious holiday feast. In Pigeon Forge, TN, enjoy the classic pirate adventure with daring battles, impressive acrobatics, and family fun!
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library embraces the holiday season with gratitude and joy, reflecting on a transformative year marked by meaningful milestones and expanded impact. 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.
Tickets are now on sale for the world premiere of Dolly Parton's Threads: My Songs in Symphony with the Nashville Symphony on March 20, 2025. This innovative multimedia concert experience showcases Dolly’s songs and the stories behind them through new orchestrations, captivating visuals, and special performances by guest vocalists and musicians, offering fans a one-of-a-kind symphonic journey into her life and music. Following the world premiere, performances will take place in select cities across the USA in the 2025/2026 season.
Dolly joins with some of Country’s most promising rising stars – Callie Twisselman, Maddie & Tae, and Jessie James Decker, for a new version of award-winning songwriter Diane Warren’s heartwarming song, "Gonna Be You," from the soundtrack of Paramount Pictures' box office hit 80 for Brady.
The Recording Academy® and the U.S. Department of State announced that Dolly is the 2024 recipient of the Peace Through Music Award, which honors an American music industry professional, artist or group who has played an invaluable role in cross-cultural exchanges and whose music work advances peace and mutual understanding globally.
Kendra Scott announces the launch of a limited-edition collection designed in partnership with Dolly Parton, now available for a limited time. Inspired by Kendra’s admiration of Dolly and her iconic 1974 song, "Love Is Like a Butterfly," each piece in this limited-edition collection embodies Dolly's spirit as a beacon of creativity and giving back.
Dolly has teamed up with Tennessee Tourism to inspire the ultimate Playcation. Together, they’re inviting kids—and kids-at-heart—to plan their perfect Tennessee adventure with the Tennessee Playcation Kid’s Guide. Ten Butterfly Tickets will be hidden randomly amongst the mailed guides offering a once-in-a lifetime VIP Dollywood Experience for the park’s 40th season in 2025, including luxury accommodations, season passes, and more!
The holiday season is a wonderful time of year! No matter where you spend the holidays, you can sense a spirit of joy, hope and love in the air that brings out the best in all of us. As Christmastime arrives, take time to reflect on the true reason for the season and appreciate all of the things that make the holidays so special—family, friends, and the spirit of giving.
Christmas is a time for caring
Bein' at your best
Christmas is a time for sharing
Knowin' you've been blessed
Christmas is a time for givin'
Love is made of this
That's what Christmas is
Merry Christmas!
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.
