In July, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library gifted over 2,065,211 books. The total number of free books gifted as of July 2022, is 186,680,257!
Group 1 Children Born in 2022
“The Pudgy Book of Mother Goose”
By Richard Walz
Group 1 – Registered Children Born in 2022
Australia – “Baby Love I Feel” or “All About Me”– 1/7/22
Canada – “Same Same” – 6/28/22
Ireland – “Is This My Nose?” – 30/6/22
United Kingdom – “Is This My Nose?” – 30/6/22
USA – “The Pudgy Book of Mother Goose” – 7/2/22
Group 2 Children Born in 2021
“The Home Builders”
By Varsha Bajaj & Illustrated by Simona Mulazzani
Group 2 – Registered Children Born in 2021
Australia – “I’ll Wait, Mr Panda” – 1/7/22
Canada – “The Home Builders” – 6/28/22
Ireland – “Peekaboo! Farm” – 30/6/22
United Kingdom – “Peekaboo! Farm” – 30/6/22
USA – “The Home Builders” – 7/20/22
Group 3 Children Born in 2020
“Red House, Tree House, Little Bitty Brown Mouse”
By Jane Godwin & Illustrated by Blanca Gómez
Group 3 – Registered Children Born in 2020
Australia – “Peppa Loves the Great Barrier Reef” – 1/7/22
Canada – “What Does Crocodile Say?” – 6/28/22
Ireland – “The Three Little Pigs: Ladybird Touch and Feel Fairy Tales” – 30/6/22
United Kingdom – “The Three Little Pigs: Ladybird Touch and Feel Fairy Tales” – 30/6/22
USA – “Red House, Tree House, Little Bitty Brown Mouse” – 7/20/22
Group 4 Children Born in 2019
“The Three Little Pigs”
By Carly Gledhill
Group 4 – Registered Children Born in 2019
Australia – “Nickle Nackle Tree” – 1/7/22
Canada – “The Three Little Pigs” – 6/28/22
Ireland – “On the Farm with a Ladybird” – 30/6/22
United Kingdom – “On the Farm with a Ladybird” – 30/6/22
USA – “The Three Little Pigs” – 7/18/22
Group 5 Children Born in 2018
“This Beach is Loud!”
By Samantha Cotterill
Group 5 – Registered Children Born in 2018
Australia – “Our Island” or “Charlotte and the Rock”– 1/7/22
Canada – “Natsumi’s Song of Summer” – 6/28/22
Ireland – “Pass It On ” – 30/6/22
United Kingdom – “Pass It On ” – 30/6/22
USA – “This Beach is Loud!” – 7/7/22
Group 6 Children Born in 2017
“First Day Critter Jitters”
By Jory John & Illustrated by Liz Climo
Group 6 – Registered Children Born in 2017
Australia – “Rocky and Louie” or “The Bunyip of Berkeley’s Creek”– 1/7/22
Canada – “This is Ruby” – 6/28/22
Ireland – “Pablo: Pablo’s Feelings” – 30/6/22
United Kingdom – “Pablo: Pablo’s Feelings” – 30/6/22
USA – “First Day Critter Jitters” – 7/1/22
Welcome Book First Book Children Receive
“The Little Engine That Could”
Written by Watty Piper & Illustrated by Dan Santat
Welcome Book – First book sent to registered children
Australia – “Roo Knows Blue” or “Otto The Book Bear in the Snow”– 1/7/22
Canada – “The Little Engine That Could” – 6/28/22
Ireland – “The Little Engine That Could” – 30/6/22
United Kingdom – “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” – 30/6/22
USA – “The Little Engine That Could” – 6/29/22
Graduation Book Last Book Children Receive
“Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!”
By Nancy Carlson
Graduation Book – Last book children receive when they graduate from the program
Australia – “Starting School” – 1/7/22
Canada – “Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!” – 6/28/22
Ireland – “The Selfish Giant” – 30/6/22
United Kingdom – “Just Imagine” – 30/6/22
USA – “Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!” – 6/30/22
New to the Imagination Library?
You can 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.
In June, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library gifted over 2,043,373 books. The total number of free books gifted as of June 2022, is 184,615,046!
Group 1 Children Born in 2022
“Who Says Quack?”
By Jerry Smath
Group 1 – Registered Children Born in 2022
Canada – “Sometimes We Think You are a Monkey” – 6/1/22
Ireland – “Baby Touch B&W Animals” – 31/5/22
United Kingdom – “Baby Touch B&W Animals” – 31/5/22
USA – “Who Says Quack?” – 6/23/22
Group 2 Children Born in 2021
“Tad and Dad”
By David Ezra Stein
Group 2 – Registered Children Born in 2021
Canada – “Tad & Dad” – 6/1/22
Ireland – “Whose… Stripes?” – 31/5/22
United Kingdom – “Whose… Stripes?” – 31/5/22
USA – “Tad and Dad” – 6/22/22
Group 3 Children Born in 2020
“Squeak!”
By Laura McGee Kvasnosky & Kate Harvey McGee
Group 3 – Registered Children Born in 2020
Canada – “A Bedtime Yarn” – 6/1/22
Ireland – “Little World: Shopping Trip” – 31/5/22
United Kingdom – “Little World: Shopping Trip” – 31/5/22
USA – “Squeak!” – 6/20/22
Group 4 Children Born in 2019
“Hair Love”
By Matthew A. Cherry & Illustrated by Vashti Harrison
Group 4 – Registered Children Born in 2019
Canada – “The Secret Fawn” – 6/1/22
Ireland – “100 Cats” – 31/5/22
United Kingdom – “100 Cats” – 31/5/22
USA – “Hair Love” – 6/14/22
Group 5 Children Born in 2018
“The Night Before the Dentist”
By Natasha Wing & Illustrated by Amy Wummer
Group 5 – Registered Children Born in 2018
Canada – “Encounter” – 6/1/22
Ireland – “When I Grow Up Farmer ” – 31/5/22
United Kingdom – “When I Grow Up Farmer ” – 31/5/22
USA – “The Night Before the Dentist” – 6/9/22
Group 6 Children Born in 2017
“Blue Sky White Stars”
By Sarvinder Naberhaus & Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Group 6 – Registered Children Born in 2017
Canada – “Mr Mole Moves In” – 6/1/22
Ireland – “Harry and the Guinea Pig” – 31/5/22
United Kingdom – “Harry and the Guinea Pig” – 31/5/22
USA – “Blue Sky White Stars” – 6/6/22
Welcome Book First Book Children Receive
“The Little Engine That Could”
Written by Watty Piper & Illustrated by Dan Santat
Welcome Book – First book sent to registered children
Canada – “The Little Engine That Could” – 6/1/22
Ireland – “The Little Engine That Could” – 31/5/22
United Kingdom – “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” – 31/5/22
USA – “The Little Engine That Could” – 6/2/22
Graduation Book Last Book Children Receive
“Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!”
By Nancy Carlson
Graduation Book – Last book children receive when they graduate from the program
Canada – “Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!” – 6/1/22
Ireland – “The Selfish Giant” – 31/5/22
United Kingdom – “Just Imagine” – 31/5/22
USA – “Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!” – 6/2/22
New to the Imagination Library?
You can 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.
In May, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library gifted over 2,023,258 books. The total number of free books gifted as of May 2022, is 182,571,673!
Group 1 Children Born in 2022
“Look at the Animals”
By Peter Linenthal
Group 1 – Registered Children Born in 2022
Canada – “Look at the Animals” – 5/2/22
Ireland – “Moomin Baby: Words Tummy Time Concertina Book” – 29/4/22
United Kingdom – “Moomin Baby: Words Tummy Time Concertina Book” – 29/4/22
USA – “Look at the Animals” – 5/10/22
Group 2 Children Born in 2021
“Sleep Tight with the Very Hungry Caterpillar”
By Eric Carle
Group 2 – Registered Children Born in 2021
Canada – “Where’s Baby?” – 5/2/22
Ireland – “Where is the Very Hungry Caterpillar?” – 29/4/22
United Kingdom – “Where is the Very Hungry Caterpillar?” – 29/4/22
USA – “Sleep Tight with the Very Hungry Caterpillar” – 5/17/22
Group 3 Children Born in 2020
“Dandelion Magic”
By Darren Farrell & Illustrated by Maya Tatsukawa
Group 3 – Registered Children Born in 2020
Canada – “Dandelion Magic” – 5/2/22
Ireland – “Ladybird First Favourite Nursery Rhymes” – 29/4/22
United Kingdom – “Ladybird First Favourite Nursery Rhymes” – 29/4/22
USA – “Dandelion Magic” – 5/23/22
Group 4 Children Born in 2019
“Raindrops to Rainbow”
By John Micklos, Jr. & Illustrated by Charlene Chua
Group 4 – Registered Children Born in 2019
Canada – “Raindrops to Rainbow” – 5/2/22
Ireland – “King Jack and the Dragon” – 29/4/22
United Kingdom – “King Jack and the Dragon” – 29/4/22
USA – “Raindrops to Rainbow” – 5/11/22
Group 5 Children Born in 2018
“Alex’s Good Fortune”
By Benson Shum
Group 5 – Registered Children Born in 2018
Canada – “Alex’s Good Fortune” – 5/2/22
Ireland – “Chicken Nugget” – 29/4/22
United Kingdom – “Chicken Nugget” – 29/4/22
USA – “Alex’s Good Fortune” – 5/5/22
Group 6 Children Born in 2017
“The Tree in Me”
By Corinna Luyken
Group 6 – Registered Children Born in 2017
Canada – “Red Sky at Night” – 5/2/22
Ireland – “Do You Know? Level 1 – BBC Earth Birds and Insects” – 29/4/22
United Kingdom – “Do You Know? Level 1 – BBC Earth Birds and Insects” – 29/4/22
USA – “The Tree in Me” – 5/13/22
Welcome Book First Book Children Receive
“The Little Engine That Could”
Written by Watty Piper & Illustrated by Dan Santat
Welcome Book – First book sent to registered children
Canada – “The Little Engine That Could” – 5/2/22
Ireland – “The Little Engine That Could” – 29/4/22
United Kingdom – “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” – 29/4/22
USA – “The Little Engine That Could” – 5/2/22
Graduation Book Last Book Children Receive
“Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!”
By Nancy Carlson
Graduation Book – Last book children receive when they graduate from the program
Canada – “Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!” – 5/2/22
Ireland – “The Selfish Giant” – 6/4/22
United Kingdom – “Just Imagine” – 29/4/22
USA – “Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!” – 5/3/22
New to the Imagination Library?
You can 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.
Wood Buffalo Regional Library joined with Fort McKay Métis Nation, Athabasca Tribal Council and the Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo to celebrate commitment to work together to foster a love of reading in young children.
An exciting event was held for the Imagination Library programs in the Wood Buffalo region of Alberta this past month! Four strategic partners came together to celebrate and commit to working together to foster a love of reading for children and families in their communities.
Surrounded by books, the Wood Buffalo Regional Library joined with Fort McKay Métis Nation, Athabasca Tribal Council, and the Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo, to hold a wonderful ceremony. They commemorated their shared belief that literacy, starting at a young age, is important for bonding with parents & caregivers as well as establishing a long term love of reading. The commitment between Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and these four partners will serve as a tool in calls to reconciliation, as well as help newcomers set their children up for school readiness, and will remove barriers for families in accessing many books. Long time volunteer and champion of the Imagination Library, Julianne North Bourque, shared,
“The ceremony yesterday was exceptionally rewarding! Many great speeches with personal heartfelt stories, reminds us all on the board why we do this. And these organizations together we will help raise literacy rates, foster a love of reading and help set up children for success!”
Congratulations to everyone involved. What a wonderful way to celebrate all those who have worked so hard to get more books into the hands of more children!
About Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free books to children from birth to age five in participating communities within the United States, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Canada and Australia. Inspired by her father’s inability to read and write, Dolly Parton started her Imagination Library in 1995 for the children within her home county. Today, the program mails over 2 million books each month to children around the world.
The program is offered free of charge to families. Check Availability in your area and register a child for the Imagination Library, or find information to bring the program to your community and Start a New Program.
The Imagination Library will soon be available to all children under five in Oklahoma!
The Oklahoma State Department of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister join Dolly Parton to announce the Oklahoma statewide expansion of her namesake Imagination Library book-gifting program. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books each month to children from birth to age five, free of charge through funding shared by local community partners.
“I’m so excited to be working with Superintendent Joy Hofmeister and the Oklahoma State Department of Education to bring my Imagination Library to Oklahoma. Together let’s inspire a love of reading and learning in every child in Oklahoma,” says Dolly.
Dolly Parton started the program in 1995 as a way to distribute books to the impoverished Tennessee county where she grew up. The state of Tennessee quickly adopted the program statewide. Since then, the nonprofit program has expanded into five countries. Oklahoma is the twelfth state to commit to achieving statewide coverage, with Superintendent Hofmeister announcing that the Oklahoma State Department of Education is investing $2.5 million in federal pandemic relief funds to expand the reach of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to all 77 counties in Oklahoma.
Goals for Expansion
Through this statewide expansion effort, books will be made available free to children ages birth to five years old in every county in Oklahoma, regardless of the families’ income. Oklahoma’s Imagination Library currently has 13 operating affiliates serving more than 4,000 of the state’s nearly 264,000 eligible children under age 5, with another six affiliates in process.
The program’s unique funding structure centers on local community partnerships. The Oklahoma State Department of Education will provide a 1:1 match of all locally raised funds, ensuring as many as 264,000 Oklahoma children from birth to age 5 have free, high-quality, age appropriate books mailed to their homes on a monthly basis. The OSDE’s investment in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Oklahoma will be funded through June 30, 2024.
“The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in well-documented learning disruptions. The negative impacts on our youngest learners are particularly troubling and appear to be most severe among our most vulnerable student populations,” says Hofmeister. “These challenges underscore the need for robust early literacy interventions to help our kids get back on track. To date, the Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library program has mailed over 180 million free books to children across three continents. We are thrilled to partner with Dolly Parton, one of the world’s most noted supporters of early literacy, to help our kids build critical literacy skills before they ever step foot in Pre-K.”
Register a Child
Check Availability online to enroll Oklahoma children or get involved. Check back often to see if Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has an affiliate in your area or stay tuned to expansion progress and news!
Watch as Dolly Parton performs live during visits to Imagination Library statewide celebrations in Delaware and Arkansas, streaming live May 5.
On Thursday, May 5, join Dolly Parton for two livestream broadcasts as she visits statewide celebrations of her Imagination Library in Delaware and Arkansas!
Children whose parents enroll them with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library receive one new book in the mail each month from birth through age five at no cost, creating a personal library of as many as 60 books that can help form the foundation of a child’s early reading experience. After tremendous growth, Delaware & Arkansas have now achieved statewide coverage, making every child under five eligible to enroll in the program.
Delaware Statewide Celebration at 12:30 PM EST
Governor Carney first announced a pilot launch of the Imagination Library program in five Delaware school districts in his 2020 State of the State address, with the Division of Libraries partnering with 13 local public libraries to make the program available to families within the pilot districts. Now, thanks to the tireless efforts of the program’s statewide partners and supporters, the Imagination Library has now reached full statewide coverage in Delaware.
Arkansas Statewide Celebration at 6:35 PM CST
Since 2005, Imagination Library affiliates in Arkansas have gifted more than three million books, with more than 57,000 children in Arkansas currently enrolled in the program. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the program’s statewide partners and supporters, the Imagination Library has now reached full statewide coverage in Arkansas, making all children under five eligible for enrollment!
Register a Child
We’re celebrating full statewide coverage of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and the eligibility of every child under five to enroll in Delaware and Arkansas! Check Availability in your area and register a child for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library today.
Special encore presentation of “Goodnight with Dolly” episode, “Max and the Tag-Along Moon,” premieres May 6, 2022 in celebration of Floyd Cooper Day and Children’s Book Week.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is proud to celebrate the first annual Floyd Cooper Day on May 6! During the annual Children’s Book Week celebration May 2-8, 2022, the Imagination Library joins non-profit organization, Every Child a Reader, to honor the beloved author-illustrator on this special day.
In celebration of his inspiring and powerful work as an award-winning illustrator and author, the Imagination Library will premiere a special encore presentation of the award-winning “Goodnight with Dolly” online series on May 6, which will feature Dolly reading Cooper’s “Max and the Tag-Along Moon,” along with a special in-memoriam to Cooper.
Remembering Floyd Cooper’s Legacy
Floyd Cooper was a children’s book illustrator known for realistically and positively exploring the African American experience. With over 30 years of work and 100 titles, he strived to shed light on chapters of African American history that weren’t taught enough in classrooms. “Max and the Tag-Along Moon,” which Cooper wrote and illustrated, has become a beloved book in the Imagination Library cannon and his works have left a lasting impact among families all over the world. Sadly, Cooper passed on July 15, 2021, yet the ideals and values imparted through his works will live on forever.
Watch the Special Presentation of “Max and the Tag-Along Moon”
To celebrate the first annual Floyd Cooper Day, tune in on May 6 to watch a special encore presentation of the award-winning “Goodnight with Dolly” online series, which will feature Dolly reading Cooper’s “Max and The Tag-Along Moon,” ending with a new in-memoriam to Cooper and his legacy.
Celebrate Floyd Cooper Day on Friday, May 6
Join the celebration of the first annual Floyd Cooper Day on May 6, 2022, by using #FloydCooperDay across social media and tune in to the special presentation of “Max and the Tag-Along Moon.”
In April, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library gifted over 1,983,466 books. The total number of free books gifted as of April 2022, is 180,548,415!
Group 1 Children Born in 2022
“The Pudgy Peek-a-boo Book”
By Amye Rosenberg
Group 1 – Registered Children Born in 2022
Canada – “The Pudgy Peek-a-boo Book” – 4/1/22
Ireland – “Baby Touch Colours” – 6/4/22
United Kingdom – “Baby Touch Colours” – 6/4/22
USA – “The Pudgy Peek-a-boo Book” – 4/22/22
Group 2 Children Born in 2021
“Sassy: Baby’s First Words”
By Dave Aikins
Group 2 – Registered Children Born in 2021
Canada – “Skinnamarink” – 4/1/22
Ireland – “Is That You, Little Bear?” – 6/4/22
United Kingdom – “Is That You, Little Bear?” – 6/4/22
USA – “Sassy: Baby’s First Words” – 4/25/22
Group 3 Children Born in 2020
“Green Tractor”
By Kersten Hamilton& Illustrated by Valeria Petrone
Group 3 – Registered Children Born in 2020
Canada – “Green Tractor” – 4/1/22
Ireland – “Spot Can Count” – 6/4/22
United Kingdom – “Spot Can Count” – 6/4/22
USA – “Green Tractor” – 4/20/22
Group 4 Children Born in 2019
“Baby Builders”
By Elissa Haden Guest & Illustrated by Hiroe Nakata
Group 4 – Registered Children Born in 2019
Canada – “Carson Crosses Canada” – 4/1/22
Ireland – “Max the Brave” – 6/4/22
United Kingdom – “Max the Brave” – 6/4/22
USA – “Baby Builders” – 4/15/22
Group 5 Children Born in 2018
“Gwendolyn’s Pet Garden”
By Anne Renaud & Illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh
Group 5 – Registered Children Born in 2018
Canada – “Gwendolyn’s Pet Garden” – 4/1/22
Ireland – “Ladybird First Favourite Tales: The Three Billy Goats Gruff” – 6/4/22
United Kingdom – “Ladybird First Favourite Tales: The Three Billy Goats Gruff” – 6/4/22
USA – “Gwendolyn’s Pet Garden” – 4/13/22
Group 6 Children Born in 2017
“Drop”
By Emily Kate Moon
Group 6 – Registered Children Born in 2017
Canada – “Drop” – 4/1/22
Ireland – “Billy and the Dragon” – 6/4/22
United Kingdom – “Billy and the Dragon” – 6/4/22
USA – “Drop” – 4/6/22
Welcome Book First Book Children Receive
“The Little Engine That Could”
Written by Watty Piper & Illustrated by Dan Santat
Welcome Book – First book sent to registered children
Canada – “The Little Engine That Could” – 4/1/22
Ireland – “The Little Engine That Could” – 6/4/22
United Kingdom – “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” – 6/4/22
USA – “The Little Engine That Could” – 4/1/22
Graduation Book Last Book Children Receive
“Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!”
By Nancy Carlson
Graduation Book – Last book children receive when they graduate from the program
Canada – “Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!” – 4/1/22
Ireland – “The Selfish Giant” – 6/4/22
United Kingdom – “Just Imagine” – 6/4/22
USA – “Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!” – 4/1/22
New to the Imagination Library?
You can 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.
In March, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library gifted over 1,958,620 books. The total number of free books gifted as of March 2022, is 178,564,949!
Group 1 Children Born in 2022
“The Pudgy Pat-a-cake Book”
By Terri Super
Group 1 – Registered Children Born in 2022
Canada – “The Pudgy Pat-a-cake Book” – 3/1/22
Ireland – “Baby Touch B&W Faces” – 28/2/22
United Kingdom – “Baby Touch B&W Faces” – 28/2/22
USA – “The Pudgy Pat-a-cake Book” – 3/18/22
Group 2 Children Born in 2021
“Corduroy’s Shapes”
By Don Freeman and MaryJo Scott
Group 2 – Registered Children Born in 2021
Canada – “Corduroy’s Shapes” – 3/1/22
Ireland – “Baby Touch: Vehicles” – 28/2/22
United Kingdom – “Baby Touch: Vehicles” – 28/2/22
USA – “Corduroy’s Shapes” – 3/21/22
Group 3 Children Born in 2020
“Just Like My Brother”
By Gianna Marino
Group 3 – Registered Children Born in 2020
Canada – “Too Much Not Enough” – 3/1/22
Ireland – “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” – 28/2/22
United Kingdom – “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” – 28/2/22
USA – “Just Like My Brother” – 3/17/22
Group 4 Children Born in 2019
“Play With Clay!”
By Jenny Pinkerton
Group 4 – Registered Children Born in 2019
Canada – “Hedge Hog” – 3/1/22
Ireland – “It Was Bedtime In The Jungle” – 28/2/22
United Kingdom – “It Was Bedtime In The Jungle” – 28/2/22
USA – “Play With Clay!” – 3/11/22
Group 5 Children Born in 2018
“When the Storm Comes”
By Linda Ashman & Illustrated by Taeeun Yoo
Group 5 – Registered Children Born in 2018
Canada – “Albert’s Quiet Quest” – 3/1/22
Ireland – “Ned and the Hamster Race” – 28/2/22
United Kingdom – “Ned and the Hamster Race” – 28/2/22
USA – “When the Storm Comes” – 3/7/22
Group 6 Children Born in 2017
“Old Rock (is not boring)”
By Deb Pilutti
Group 6 – Registered Children Born in 2017
Canada – “The Not-So-Great Outdoors” – 3/1/22
Ireland – “Look Up!” – 28/2/22
United Kingdom – “Look Up!” – 28/2/22
USA – “Old Rock (is not boring)” – 3/24/22
Welcome Book First Book Children Receive
“The Little Engine That Could”
Written by Watty Piper & Illustrated by Dan Santat
Welcome Book – First book sent to registered children
Canada – “The Little Engine That Could” – 3/1/22
Ireland – “The Little Engine That Could” – 28/2/22
United Kingdom – “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” – 28/2/22
USA – “The Little Engine That Could” – 3/4/22
Graduation Book Last Book Children Receive
“Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!”
By Nancy Carlson
Graduation Book – Last book children receive when they graduate from the program
Canada – “Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!” – 3/1/22
Ireland – “The Selfish Giant” – 28/2/22
United Kingdom – “Just Imagine” – 28/2/22
USA – “Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!” – 3/7/22
New to the Imagination Library?
You can 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 Imagination Library will soon be available to all children under five in Washington!
United Ways of the Pacific Northwest (UWPNW) and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) join Dolly Parton on National Read Across America Day to announce the Washington statewide expansion of her namesake Imagination Library book-gifting program. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books each month to children from birth to age five, free of charge through funding shared by local community partners.
“I am so excited to be working with Superintendent of Public Instruction, Chris Reykdal and United Ways of the Pacific Northwest to bring my Imagination Library to more children and families across Washington! Together we can inspire a love of reading that will last a lifetime,” said Dolly.
Dolly Parton started the program in 1995 as a way to distribute books to the impoverished Tennessee county where she grew up. The state of Tennessee quickly adopted the program statewide. Since then, the nonprofit program has expanded into five countries. Washington is the eleventh state to commit to achieving statewide coverage, with the latest development happening this week, as the Washington legislature voted final passage of House Bill 2068 that will recognize Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library as a statewide program with one last stop, Governor Inslee’s desk for signature.
Goals for Expansion
Through this statewide expansion effort, books will be made available free to children ages birth to five years old in every county in Washington, regardless of the families’ income. Washington’s Imagination Library has 28 operating affiliates covering portions of the 39 counties in Washington, and 17,000 eligible children in the state are receiving free books through these existing programs.
“We’re thrilled to be able to expand literacy in Washington through this partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and UWPNW,” said State Superintendent Chris Reykdal. “We know the birth to five age range is a critically important time in reading development and expanding access to underserved areas across the state will help set up the next generation of readers for success.”
The statewide expansion effort, led by UWPNW’s Executive Director of Washington Imagination Library, Brooke Fisher-Clark will partner with current local program affiliates and assist in establishing new programs in all 39 Washington’s counties. Programs in every county ensure that every early learner is eligible to register. Prospect affiliates must be a 501c3 nonprofit. Interested parties should reach out to Fisher-Clark at [email protected]. Affiliates receive a monthly 50 percent match funding support to assist in growing enrollments. The expansion funding is made possible by OSPI who has contracted with UWPNW to lead the expansion efforts.
“This is so exciting for the children and families of our state! This program will help uplift our communities with its short and long-term proven results and will show the world our children and their opportunities to learn and succeed is our priority as Washingtonians,” said Fisher-Clark.
Register a Child
To enroll Washington children or get involved, go to www.imaginationlibrarywashington.org. Check back often to see if Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has an affiliate in your area or stay tuned to expansion progress and news!
