Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library: Millions of Free Books Monthly for Michigan Kids
You may have heard of Dolly Parton's free book program and wondered if there's a catch. There is no catch. The Queen of Nashville gives out millions of free books to Michigan children every month.
How Did Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Come About?
Dolly Parton grew up in the Appalachian Mountains region as the fourth of 12 children. She credits her father with being "one of the smartest people" she's ever known even though he never had the opportunity to learn to read.
Parton says she was inspired by her father and her upbringing to help improve children's literacy, which led her to found Imagination Library.
The program started in just one county in her home state of Tennessee in 1995 and quickly grew from there. Today, Parton's Imagination Library sends out about three million books each month to children in Michigan and 20 other states.
To date, 240 million free books have been mailed to children around the world.
Two New States Touched by Parton's Generosity
Missouri and Kentucky are the latest states to be added to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program. This week, she's made stops in both states to promote the program and share the story of her father, Robert Lee Parton, who died in 2000.
Michigan Children Can Enroll for Free
Today, one in seven children under the age of five in the US receive free books from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. The program is available for children in 21 states, including Michigan.
The program is free and all you have to do is follow this link to enroll. Eligible children receive a free book each month thanks to Dolly Parton.
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