How 'Book Queen' Dolly Parton inspired millions of children with gift of reading
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, a literacy program that provides free books to children, has reached millions of families since its inception in 1995. The program continues to operate globally, honoring Parton's commitment to childhood education following her recent passing.
Why it matters
The program has had a significant measurable impact on global childhood literacy rates and serves as a major philanthropic legacy for the late entertainer.
Image caption, Dolly Parton first launched Imagination Library in her home county in Tennessee
One child in Denver called her "The Book Queen".
Across the globe in Australia, a toddler with speech delays delighted her family with her first word - "orange" - after she and her twin sister received a free book in the post about colours. It came from Imagination Library, the literacy programme begun by late global superstar Dolly Parton.
Parton, who died this week aged 80, launched the philanthropic effort in 1995 to honour her father - whose difficult Appalachian upbringing never allowed him to finish school or learn to read and write.
"He was the smartest man I have ever known, but I know in my heart his inability to read probably kept him from fulfilling all of his dreams," wrote Parton in an open letter on Imagination Library's website.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in