Dolly Parton’s book program reaches 1 in 7 U.S. kids under 5. How much longer?
Funding challenges have arisen in at least four states, and Parton's foundation now carries the program.
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has gifted over 332 million children's books to babies and young children across all 50 U.S. states and four other countries. If all the books were laid end to end, they would circle the Earth 1.8 times. The free program mails a suitable book each month from birth to age 5, with children receiving up to 60 books by the time they complete the program.
Each participant receives "The Little Engine That Could" as their first book and "Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!" as their final book. The Imagination Library aims to promote early literacy, prepare children for kindergarten, and foster a lifelong love of reading.
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