Georgia Magazine - December 2023 - 21

Imagination Library
encourages reading fundamentals,
young readers
By Laura Berrios
W
and over. "
The children have many of their favorites memorized
and pretend to read them to each other, their mom says.
" There's a little picture of Dolly in the back of a lot of
[the books], and our 2-year-old likes to tell her good night
before going to bed, " Barnard says.
Thousands of other children also could be wishing
sweet dreams to the famous entertainer, whose nonprofit
has given away more than 221.5 million books globally
since it began in 1995.
that every child, regardless of income, would have
access to books. It sends more than 2.3 million books
monthly to children in five countries and all
50 states. Nationally, one in 10 children younger
than age 5 is in the program.
In Georgia, 15,669 children
participated in the Imagination Library
this year. Though Parton's nonprofit is
based in Sevierville, Tenn., 18 Georgia
counties and three cities have
Lucy and Declan Barnard of Cleveland peruse their
collection of books for the next one to read.
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21
and pretend to read them to each other, their mom says.
" There's a little picture of Dolly in the back of a lot of
[the books], and our 2-year-old likes to tell her good night
Thousands of other children also could be wishing
sweet dreams to the famous entertainer, whose nonprofit
has given away more than 221.5 million books globally
The Imagination Library flowed from Parton's desire
that every child, regardless of income, would have
access to books. It sends more than 2.3 million books
monthly to children in five countries and all
50 states. Nationally, one in 10 children younger
hen preschool siblings Declan and Lucy Barnard
of Cleveland run to their mailbox, they hope for
another book from Dolly. Yes, that Dolly.
For the last year, the Barnard kids have
received free books from legendary country
musician Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, a program that
mails high-quality books each month to children from birth
until age 5 in participating areas.
" They have loved it, " says Courtney Barnard, mom to
Lucy, 2, and Declan, 5, who has now aged out of the
program. " They love getting the books in the mail each
month. And they're really good books. They're some of their
favorite books, and they like to read them over and over
partnerships to bring the program to their areas.
A child who was signed up at birth would have 60 books
by the time he or she begins kindergarten. Selections
include classics such as " The Little Engine That Could " and
touch-and-feel books for babies.
Participating children are more likely to start school
with a solid literacy foundation than are other children.
According to two decades of U.S. and international data
collected by the Imagination Library, children in the
program are ahead of those who are not. The program also
promotes positive changes in children's attitudes toward
reading and early literacy skills.
" It is a fantastic program. We all so admire this vision
Dolly Parton had about literacy in her own community of
Sevierville, where she started this, " says Paula
Everett-Truppi, a retired special education
director with the Gwinnett County School
District. " How positive and powerful that the
Imagination Library is changing
Everett-Truppi, a retired special education
director with the Gwinnett County School
District. " How positive and powerful that the
Imagination Library is changing
educational outcomes in children
before they even darken the
door in kindergarten. "
The former educator
educational outcomes in children
before they even darken the
door in kindergarten. "
The former educator
and others are helping
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Georgia Magazine - December 2023

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