The country music singer is giving children up to the age of five in Wandsworth a free monthly book as part of her worldwide scheme to encourage youngsters to pick up reading as a habit.
According to Wandsworth Council over 4,800 children have registered since the programme launched in July.
The local project is supported by funds raised by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery and delivered by Dolly Parton’s charity, The Dollywood Foundation. The books are selected from Wandsworth-based Penguin Random House UK with each title carefully chosen to match children’s ages.
This month, children in the area are receiving titles such as Fun with Spot, Uh Oh Niko Bath Time, Busy Day Mechanic, and Max at Night. Older age groups will enjoy illustrated stories such as The Elephant and the Sea and Strong Like Me.
Judi Gasser, Cabinet Member for Children, also said: “Reading is the foundation of learning, and this programme gives children across Wandsworth the very best start in life.
“The incredible sign-up rate so far shows just how much enthusiasm there is amongst local families for building a culture of reading.
“I encourage even more families to register so every child can benefit, and I am delighted to see the Imagination Library in Wandsworth continue to go from strength to strength.”
The first books in the scheme were sent out to children living in Sevier County, Tennessee which is where Parton grew up. It became such a success that in 2000 a national replication effort began before the scheme went global, heading into Canada in 2006 and in the UK in 2007.
In 2011 Braille books were added and since then the scheme is now worldwide, going as far as Australia, and this year celebrates its 30-year anniversary.
Parton started the Imagination Library in 1995 to make sure disadvantaged children had access to books. It was inspired by her father, who couldn’t read.
Parton said: “I have always known that if we encourage children to dream, we give them the chance to live those dreams. Having books at home is the perfect way to open a child’s mind to a world of imagination, and I am so proud that my Imagination Library has reached so many children over the years.”
How does it work and how to register
The Dollywood Foundation works with Local Partners who help bring the Imagination Library to communities across the UK. Communities are then responsible for enrolling children who live in their area.
In this recent case Wandsworth Council have opted in to allow children in the borough to benefit.
Once registered, the organisation then posts a high-quality, age-appropriate book to children from birth to age five every month.
The books are ordered in relevance to the age of the child registered and come specially wrapped and addressed to the child. They are delivered at no cost to the family.
Parton’s charity funds and provides the infrastructure of the core programme including coordinating book selection, wholesale purchasing and managing the secure Book Order System database. However, communities are responsible for securing funds to cover the costs of the books, postage and packing for those children.
Registration for Wandsworth can be done online, via the council’s website.