In 2010, racing across borders and gaining speed, "The Little Engine That Could," was chug chug chugging along, while the actual book itself arrived in mailboxes, much to the delight of 249,125 children under five. With over 1,300 operating programs in three countries, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was mailing 560,000 books a month, a grand total of 7.1 million this particular year.
In July, The Junior League of Birmingham, and Dolly herself presented the 25 millionth book to Kumar Smith.
"It was beautiful,"
mother Shalisha Stewart said of her family's experience.
"She sang Kumar a song, 'Celebrate the Dreamer in You.' She wrote it for him. He was like, 'She wrote me a song?' And I told him that he was the hero of the day."
Knox County Schools in Tennessee completed the year-long study of their new kindergartners, and in Michigan, the Great Start Collaborative commissioned a study by Michigan State University on the same age group. Children enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library performed better on all assessments than children who were not enrolled. In addition, the University of Alaska Anchorage researchers, completed evaluation studies of Imagination Library demonstrating that children participating in the program are more enthusiastic about reading, read to more often, and perceived by parents to be better prepared for school. While the books are free to families, the lasting impact of the program is priceless.
Dolly was honored in November of 2009 with a star on the Music City Walk of Fame. The Music City Walk of Fame is located on Nashville’s Music Mile in front of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Dolly was honored along with Charlie Daniels and Kid Rock at the ceremony and joined over 40 other Nashville-related music legends already on the walk.
After saying great things about the other nominees Dolly mentioned that Nashville has a special place in country music history and in her heart,
"It strikes me in a pure place in my heart and in my soul to know that I am part of this wonderful city and all of the wonderful things that have been here.”
Dollywood, with Dolly’s help, expanded its entertainment lineup to welcome "Sha-Kon-A-Hey! Land of Blue Smoke," the most elaborate musical production in the park’s 24-year history. Dolly said,
“Having grown up and lived in the heart of these beautiful mountains, my love for this area is deep, genuine and heartfelt. Sha-Kon-O-Hey! celebrates the wonderful people, music and proud heritage of this spectacular place,”
With Dolly’s help, Dollywood also added "Le Grande Cirque’s Imaginé," showcasing international performers from around the world.
“I’m proud that Dollywood offers families a great place to spend time together, and this year, they get to enjoy two incredible new shows that I’m especially excited about. There’s special effects and things I’ve only dreamed about, and some great music, some I even wrote myself, that’s absolutely going to leave folks speechless. Maybe even me, too!”
On May 8, 2009, Dolly was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Tennessee in, Knoxville. She received only the second honorary doctorate ever awarded by the school in Humane and Musical letters.
At the graduation ceremony, Dolly performed a version of the school’s unofficial fight song "Rocky Top" and a version of her own song "Try."
University of Tennessee Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek said,
"Ms. Parton is uniquely distinguished and qualified to receive the highest honor we as a university can offer to a member of the public... Because of her career not just as a musician and entertainer, but for her role as a cultural ambassador, philanthropist and lifelong advocate for education, it is fitting that she be honored with an honorary degree from the flagship educational institution of her home state.”
Dolly was flattered by the award.
“It is an incredible honor for me to receive this degree from a prestigious university like UT. I’ve been a Volunteer all my life and entertained folks around the world with ‘Rocky Top’... Seriously, education and the arts are very important to me, and this degree is something that makes me and would have made my parents very proud.”
Dolly delivered the commencement speech for the 2009 graduating class at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, infusing it with some of her famous humor.
“Now, I usually try not to give advice. Information, yes, advice, no. But, what has worked for me may not work for you. Well, take for instance what has worked for me. Wigs. Tight clothes, push up bras, and high heel shoes.”
As part of the ceremonies, Dolly sang a version of the university’s unofficial fight song "Rocky Top," and a version of her song "Try." Dolly received an honorary doctorate of humane and musical letters, only the second bestowed in the university’s history.
