Skip to Content

How to Create a Quality Collection of Kids Books for FREE with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Since books have always been so important to me, I made sure that I had my girls had a quality collection as soon as they were born. I realize that books can get expensive, which is why I wanted to share this amazing opportunity to help you create a quality collection of books for your child… for FREE with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library!

Build Kids Library

This post may contain affiliate links. By purchasing through these links, I may make a commission. Thank you for your support.

I love to read. I remember my love of reading going as far back as early elementary school, which is why I knew I wanted to instill that love for both of my girls as early as possible. In fact, I started reading to Sophia nightly as soon as we got home from the hospital. It’s always been a special time for me with my girls and it played a great part in our successful nighttime routine.

Now that Sophia is finishing up her first year of school and has began to read, I realize just how important those first 5 years of reading really were. I know they played a huge part in her ability to read so well so early and I try to spread the word about the Imagination Library and the fantastic books that your child can receive to build up their own home library.

Child Imagination Library

Dolly Parton created the Imagination Library 20 years ago in her hometown of Sevierville, Tennessee. Dolly grew up poor with limited resources and realizing that there was still some poverty in the area and the fact that not all children were able to have access to quality books, she was inspired to create an opportunity to change that.

The Imagination Library sends out one book per month to each child who is registered with the program for the first 5 years of their life! That’s 60 books to build a quality collection of books for your child… for FREE!

Dolly Parton Imagination Library Facts

Books can get expensive and the books that your child can receive from the Imagination Library are high quality. Some are hardback, some paper back, but all have been carefully selected as the most appropriate for the age of your child. In fact, the first book that EVERY child receives was picked by Miss Dolly Parton herself.

Dolly Discussing Imagination Library

I had the amazing opportunity to sit in during an amazing interview by Andy Cohen from SiriusXM’s Radio Andy [Channel 102] last week and when Andy asked Dolly about the Imagination Library she made sure to share why she chose the classic children’s book “The Little Engine That Could” by Watty Piper to be the first book of the program.

Dolly Parton Andy Cohen

She explained that she always had a dream of going to Nashville and being a successful singer/songwriter and her dream came true because she always believed in herself and she wants all children to do the same!

I always like to tell the girls that the books are coming straight from Dolly. Because of our many conversations and, of course, visits to Dollywood, they both know Dolly very well. The fact that they think Dolly sends them a book through the mail every month, with their name on it, means so much to them.

Imagination Library Book Covers

It means a lot to me too. I was able to build a quality collection of children’s books for them and encourage their love of reading. Within each book that is sent to your child, you’ll see an inside flap with a note from Dolly about the program and at the end of the book you’ll find conversation starters and questions that you can use, as the parent, to continue the discussion from the story!

I love this – it really encourages reading comprehension and excitement about reading.

Imagination Library Books

I know you’re ready to build up your child’s collection of books so here’s all the information you need for filling your book shelves with amazing quality books!

To get started, you can register your child for the Imagination Library. Please keep in mind that although the program has expanded exponentially over the past 20 years, there are still areas that are not covered. Once you register, your child will receive one book per month until their 5th birthday… for FREE!

Does your child receive free books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library? What’s their favorite book?

Amber Edwards

Thursday 12th of May 2016

We did the Imagination Library for my daughter and she absolutely LOVED it! Her favorite book was the Llama Llama books. We got a number of them. And we still have them. I need to get my new baby signed up for this now that my other daughter is too old. :)

Ellen Christian

Thursday 12th of May 2016

I had no idea about this. What a fantastic idea! Reading is so important especially when kids are little.

Amber Ludwig

Wednesday 11th of May 2016

Omgosh this is just AMAZING!!! Go Dolly for being a stand up lady!! I bet because of this so many more children read and get read to everyday!! Amazing!

Kayla

Tuesday 10th of May 2016

Just when you thought you couldn't love Dolly anymore, she goes and creates something like this! Seriously, she is one stand up lady and this fantastic initiative to help kids start their love of reading and books early is just beyond great. Thank you for sharing this information with us all!

Kristi

Tuesday 10th of May 2016

What a great program! Our kids are not in this age group, but I am going to share this with a couple of friends that have younger kids. Books are awesome!