The World’s Largest Study of Shared Book Reading Reaffirms: Early Literacy Begins at Birth.

New research across five countries shows Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library significantly strengthens children’s early literacy skills and family reading habits.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has gifted millions of books to children from birth to age five. Now, a groundbreaking international study—the largest dataset ever collected on shared book reading—reaffirms the program’s powerful impact.

Led by researcher Dr. Claire Galea, the study surveyed more than 86,000 caregivers across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia. Families were followed for twelve months and compared with caregivers whose children had not yet received books.

The results are clear: Just 10 books can spark measurable gains in early literacy, vocabulary, and family reading routines—and the greatest impact appears in communities facing the highest barriers.

1. Closes Literacy Gaps

In all countries, the program was found to have significant impact helping to prevent early literacy gaps that often persist through school.

Research found that after just 10 books, children in the program were at least 4x more likely to demonstrate stronger emerging literacy skills—such as vocabulary and phonological awareness—compared to children not in the program.

2. Strengthens Home Literacy Environments

In all countries, children in the program were read to significantly more often than children not in the program.

Children enrolled were 9x more likely to be read to 4 or more days per week compared to children not in the program.

3. Inspires Reading Globally

In all countries, children in the program were significantly more likely to enjoy books and engage in meaningful reading interactions.

Children in the program were 9x more likely to be interested in books and 15x more likely to join in during shared book reading compared to children not in the program.

4. Builds Positive Family Reading Habits

In all countries, the Imagination Library was found to significantly encourage family reading and build traditions around reading.

Caregivers around the world in the program were 6x more likely to count images, 7x more likely to describe images and 4x more likely to let the child hold the book compared to caregivers not in the program.

Download the International Research Summary

Children in the US were 11x more likely to be interested in books and 15x more likely to join in during shared book reading compared to children not in the program.

Children in the US were nearly 3x more likely to demonstrate concepts about print compared to children not in the program.

Children in the US were 5x more likely to be interested in reading compared to children not in the program.

Children in the US were 9x more likely to initiate shared book reading compared to children not in the program.

Caregivers were 6x more likely to count images, 8x more likely to describe images and 5x more likely to let the child hold the book compared to caregivers not in the program.

Children in Canada were 13x more likely to be read to 4 or more days per week compared to children not in the program.

Children in Canada were 11x more likely to initiate shared book reading compared to children not in the program.

Caregivers were 6x more likely to count images, 8x more likely to describe images and 5x more likely to let the child hold the book compared to caregivers not in the program.

Children in Canada were 7x more likely to demonstrate expressive vocabulary compared to children not in the program.

Children in the UK + Ireland were 5x more likely to demonstrate alphabet knowledge compared to children not in the program.

Children in the UK + Ireland were 11x more likely to initiate shared book reading compared to children not in the program.

Caregivers in the UK + Ireland were 6x more likely to count images, 7x more likely to describe images and 4x more likely to let the child hold the book compared to caregivers not in the program.

Children in the UK + Ireland were 9x more likely to demonstrate phonological awareness compared to children not in the program.

The average number of books in the household for children in the UK + Ireland went up by 30, compared to children not in the program.

Children in the UK + Ireland were 5.5x more likely to spend time reading alone.

The number one benefit reported by caregivers in Australia was that their children enrolled in the Imagination Library developed a strong love of books and reading.

Children in Australia were 6x more likely to demonstrate receptive and expressive vocabulary compared to children not in the program.

Children enrolled in the Imagination Library in Australia were 9x more likely to be read to 4 or more days per week compared to children not in the program.

In Australia, caregivers who read daily from birth were 5x more likely to still read daily at age 3, and their children showed stronger early literacy skills.

Caregivers were 7x more likely to count images, 8x more likely to describe images and 4x more likely to let the child hold the book compared to caregivers not in the program.

“My dream has always been to help children love books and love learning, no matter where they live. It warms my heart to know this research shows the difference a book can make.”
— Dolly Parton

This study, authored by Dr. Claire Galea, Head of Research at United Way Australia, represents the largest international dataset ever collected on shared book reading.

It surveyed 86,000+ caregivers in five countries and followed families over a 12‑month period after receiving at least 10 Imagination Library books.

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About Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Launched in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is the world’s leading early childhood book-gifting program. As the flagship initiative of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Imagination Library has gifted more than 300 million free books to children across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland.

The program is made possible through a unique partnership model in which funding is shared between The Dollywood Foundation and hundreds of Local Community Partners. Today, the Imagination Library mails over 3 million high-quality, age-appropriate books each month directly to children’s homes. Every enrolled child receives one book per month from birth to age five—at no cost to their families.

Inspired by her own father’s struggles with literacy, Dolly created the Imagination Library to spark a lifelong love of reading and to inspire all children to Dream More, Learn More, Care More, and Be More.

The program’s effectiveness has been extensively studied, with research consistently demonstrating positive impacts on early childhood development, kindergarten readiness, and family reading habits.

*Galea, Claire Melanie Anita (2025). The Impact of shared book reading on children and their Families: insights from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Macquarie University.
Thesis. https://doi.org/10.25949/30123745.v1