Dolly Parton:Spreading the Gift of Reading, One Book at a Time
- Sep 4
- 3 min read
By She Rises Studios
Long before she became a global icon and beloved music legend, Dolly Parton understood the power of storytelling. Born in a one-room cabin in the hills of Tennessee, Dolly grew up in poverty, the fourth of twelve children in a home filled with love but short on material things. While her family didn’t have much, they had music, imagination, and the kind of hope that books can inspire—even when books themselves were hard to come by. That early experience, coupled with her father’s inability to read and write, planted a seed in Dolly’s heart—one that would grow into one of the most impactful literacy initiatives in the world.
In 1995, Dolly launched the Imagination Library in her home county of Sevier County, Tennessee. Her goal was simple but powerful: to provide free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five, regardless of family income. She knew that early exposure to books could change the trajectory of a child’s life, and she believed that every child deserved the opportunity to dream big, no matter where they came from. What started as a small, local project quickly blossomed into an international movement of literacy and love.
In 1995, Dolly launched the Imagination Library in her home county of Sevier County, Tennessee. Her goal was simple but powerful: to provide free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five, regardless of family income. She knew that early exposure to books could change the trajectory of a child’s life, and she believed that every child deserved the opportunity to dream big, no matter where they came from. What started as a small, local project quickly blossomed into an international movement of literacy and love.
Today, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has gifted over 200 million books to children across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland. Every month, over 2 million children receive a book in the mail with their name on it—creating moments of joy, bonding, and imagination for families around the world. For many, it’s the very first book they ever own.
What sets the Imagination Library apart is its focus on accessibility and consistency. By delivering age-appropriate books monthly to children’s homes, Dolly’s initiative not only fosters early literacy skills but also helps cultivate a lifelong love of reading. Studies have shown that children who participate in the program are more likely to enter kindergarten with the vocabulary, comprehension, and confidence needed to succeed. But the impact goes far beyond academics—it builds family rituals, encourages storytelling, and gives children a sense of belonging in a world of words.
Dolly often credits her father, Robert Lee Parton, as the inspiration behind the program. Despite his intelligence and work ethic, he never learned to read or write, something that Dolly says caused him deep shame throughout his life. In honoring his legacy, she’s made it her mission to ensure that no child grows up without the opportunity to become literate and empowered. In her own words, “If I’m remembered 100 years from now, I hope it will be not for my music, but for helping children to read.”
That humility—paired with boundless generosity and unshakable purpose—is what makes Dolly Parton’s literacy work so extraordinary. She’s not doing it for headlines or accolades (though she’s received many, including the Library of Congress’ Living Legend Award). She’s doing it because she knows what it means to grow up with dreams bigger than your circumstances—and how crucial it is to be given the tools to pursue them.
Dolly’s life is a testament to the idea that you don’t have to be born with privilege to make a lasting difference. She built her empire through talent, grit, and authenticity, but she’s always used her platform to give back. From funding scholarships to donating to hospitals, and most recently, supporting vaccine development, Dolly continues to show that true power lies in using success to serve others.
Her work through the Imagination Library fits beautifully into this issue’s theme—Rising Together. Dolly isn’t just lifting individual children; she’s helping entire families, schools, and communities rise through the transformative power of literacy. When a child learns to read, they unlock a world of imagination, knowledge, and opportunity. When millions do, the future changes.
As we celebrate National Literacy Month, Dolly Parton reminds us that the smallest acts—reading a bedtime story, mailing a book, believing in a child’s potential—can ripple across generations. In a world too often divided, she offers something timeless and unifying: the joy of a good book and the belief that every child deserves to dream, to learn, and to thrive.
Dolly once said, “You can never get enough books into the hands of enough children.” Through her Imagination Library, she’s proving that true. And in doing so, she’s not just writing songs that touch the heart—she’s helping write the future.
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