Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Australia has reached a remarkable milestone
with the delivery of its 2 millionth book this month.
This achievement highlights the program’s ongoing commitment to inspiring a love of reading and expanding access to books for children across Australia. The milestone is backed by world-leading Australian research that shows the Imagination Library’s impact on children’s early literacy and home reading environments.
A Powerful Story of Impact and World-Leading Research
Out of Australia came the world’s largest research study on shared book-reading and the Imagination Library. Led by Dr Claire Galea (2025), the research drew on data from more than 86,000 families worldwide and showed that children on the Imagination Library have a significant head start in their lifelong learning journey. Children on the program are more likely to show key emerging literacy skills, have a greater interest in books and reading, and experience a stronger reading culture at home compared to children not on the program. Families consistently report that receiving books each month has helped create a positive and enjoyable shared reading environment in the home.
Highlighting Indigenous Voices in 2026
In 2026, the Imagination Library in Australia continues to strengthen its focus on representation and inclusivity through the selection of books that reflect the diversity of Australian families. This includes a strong emphasis on stories by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors and illustrators. This year’s book list featured titles include:
- Australian Babies – Magabala Books
- Claws, Eyes, Flippers – Dub Leffler
- Today’s Sun – Gregg Dreise
- Counting With Country – Annette Sax
- Animals Move – Dub Leffler
- Aussie Twos Like To – Magabala Books
- With Sky Country – Annette Sax
- Backyard Footy – Carl Merrison and Samantha Campbell
- Yurri’s Birthday – Dr Sue Atkinson and Annette Sax
- Rocky And Louie – Phillip Walleystack, Raewyn Caisley and Dub Leffler
These stories help children connect with Country, learn about culture, and see themselves reflected in the books they read.
2 Million Books and Counting
As the Imagination Library in Australia celebrates this 2 million-book milestone, it continues to look ahead with purpose and passion. Putting a book in a child’s hand opens a whole new world to them. The Imagination Library delivered by United Way Australia brings the magic of reading into Australian homes – kick-starting a lifelong love of reading and creating an evidence-based pathway for a child’s success in later life.
To learn more or to enrol a child, visit Ready to Read – Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library – United Way Australia