How to Get a Free Book from Dolly Parton

Wondering how to get a free book from Dolly Parton? It’s surprisingly easy! Dolly’s Imagination Library has provided millions of free books to children all around the world. It’s easy to sign up when you follow this three-step process!

Now, you’ve probably seen the ‘free books from Dolly Parton’ meme floating around social media. I’ve seen it surface every few years and, although it is interesting, there’s never any information about how you can actually get those free books for your kids. I wasn’t even sure it was legit when I first saw it in 2017!

However, after doing some research, I learned that Dolly’s Imagination Library is extremely legit! Children in many areas across the United States can get free books through this program.

Let’s talk about who is eligible, how it works, and how you can get your family signed up.

What is the Imagination Library?

The Imagination Library is Dolly Parton’s free book program. This program sends a free age-appropriate book every month to children who are under five years old.

The program aims to encourage a love of reading in children and help them develop strong literacy skills before starting school. Parents and caregivers can register their children for the program and receive a new book each month, chosen specifically for their age group, until the child turns five. The program is funded by local and national partners, including individuals, foundations, and corporations, and has provided millions of free books to children around the world.

The Imagination Library serves children in specific areas throughout Australia, Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom and the United States.

Why did Dolly start the Imagination Library?

Dolly began the Library in 1995, inspired by her father’s inability to read. Her father could not read or write but always encouraged his children to pursue their education. He wanted them to love reading.

When she learned that many children in her hometown were not prepared for kindergarten because they did not have sufficient access to books, she decided to take action and fix it. That’s how The Imagination Library began!

Studies have shown that Dolly’s free book program is helping to improve childhood literacy and vocabularies. Her father, who never learned to read, inspired Dolly to create this program. She said, “I started my Imagination Library in honor of my dad. He didn’t get to live long enough to see it do well, but it’s a wonderful program that I take a lot of pride in.”

She also said, “If you can read, you can educate yourself. Even if you’re not able to afford to go to college, if you can read you can find out about any subject that you’re interested in. And if a book is comin’ to the mailbox every month and it’s got your name on it, then you’re gonna find someone to help you read it to you.”

Who can get Dolly Parton’s free books?

Children from birth to age five are eligible to enroll in the Imagination Library program, regardless of family income or other factors.

The program is available in participating communities across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, and families can register their children through local Imagination Library affiliates or online.

Some communities may have limited enrollment or waitlists due to high demand, so families are encouraged to check availability in their area and register as early as possible. Once enrolled, children will receive a free, age-appropriate book each month until they turn five, as long as they continue to reside in a participating community and are registered with the program.

How to Get a Free Book from Dolly Parton

You can get a free book from Dolly Parton by following this easy three-step process:

1. Confirm that you live in a participating area using the Check Availability tool on the Imagination Library website.
2. Follow the prompts to fill out the registration form. You will be asked for your child’s name, age, and other relevant details.
3. Click submit. You will need to wait up to 12 weeks before the first book arrives.

If the Imagination Library service is not available in your area yet, you can register to receive alerts. This will help you be notified immediately when the program launches in your area.

Key Takeaways

The Imagination Library is a great resource for families with young children who want to promote literacy and a love of reading. By enrolling in the program, families can receive free, age-appropriate books each month and help their children develop strong literacy skills before starting school. In order to enroll, parents and caregivers must register through their local Imagination Library affiliate.

Nicole Thelin

Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.