I grew up in West Virginia, and Dolly Parton grew up not far away in Tennessee. Country music was big for both of us where we grew up. Dolly’s songs and voice will forever make me smile.
But there is more. Much more.
DOLLY PARTON’S IMAGINATION LIBRARY
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books free of charge to children from birth to age five, through funding shared by Dolly Parton and local community partners in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and Republic of Ireland.
Inspired by her father’s inability to read and write Dolly started her Imagination Library in 1995 for the children within her home county. Today, her program spans five countries and gifts millions of free books each month to children around the world.
“When I was growing up in the hills of East Tennessee, I knew my dreams would come true. I know there are children in your community with their own dreams. They dream of becoming a doctor or an inventor or a minister. Who knows, maybe there is a little girl whose dream is to be a writer and singer.
The seeds of these dreams are often found in books and the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world.”
In 1995, Dolly Parton launched an exciting new effort, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, to benefit the children of her home county in East Tennessee, USA. Dolly’s vision was to foster a love of reading among her county’s preschool children and their families by providing them with the gift of a specially selected book each month.
Dolly has gifted over 300,000 books to children. She is my hero.
Here is a blog post from a few years ago, Dolly and Yo-Yo reading:
My two favorite READ posters
from Literary Hub @ lithub.com
Dolly Parton has done more
for putting books into the hands of children
than anyone.
Bless you, Dolly.
Look at the books she is reading!
Every Very Hungry Caterpillar Day
is a good day.
I’m filled with joy.
Yo-Yo Ma is reading Goodnight Moon.
It doesn’t get better than that.
I recite this book to children every day,
just before chapter reading.
It’s a ritual that brings children comfort and language.
Yo-Yo’s beloved cello gets to enjoy the book.
My favorite Dolly Parton movie is Nine to Five.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
As well as her musical talent, she was a genuine, warm-hearted, caring, human being. She is a loss to the world, but her legacy will continue in our hearts and minds.
Best wishes, Pete.
She really was, Pete. Such a great loss.
Thanks for this wonderful tribute to a very special person. So many talk about her music, which is amazing, but to me it’s her kind heart and her dedication to reading and getting books into kid’s hands that makes her so incredibly special. May she rest in peace. ❤️❤️
I feel the same way, Darlene. It’s the books for children where she made the greatest impact.
A wonderful woman, such a sad loss.
Yes indeedd.
Ooops, indeed.
A remarkable soul. Such a loss for the world.
Such a special woman ❤️
Very much so.
💝💝💝
❤️
One beautiful person.. She used her status and money to help people.
Yes, she did. Truly one beautiful person.
Amen Jennie she was a wonderful person 💜💜
A great singer and a wonderful woman. May she rest in peace. xx Michael
I was so saddened to learn of Dolly’s passing yesterday. Thank you for posting a tribute to her.
Beautiful post, Jennie. I hope Dolly is looking down from heaven and sees all the tributes that tell how much people loved her back for all the love she gave.
i love this tribute to dolly. loved her book program, her kindness, her generosity, and talent. she will be so missed.
Amen
So sad about Dolly. I hadn’t heard she was ill.
How incredibly rare it is for someone to be so universally loved? Dolly was truly one of a kind and from all reports, also incredibly kind. A legendary performer and an even greater person.
I only saw a “flash” go by on the news, but I saw Dolly’s name and said “no, no, no, please no.” What a phenomenal talent and genius for all her work in music, philanthropy, business and her Imagination Library. AND she was so kind, extending herself to everyone she met. She makes me feel that I can do better. Sigh. This is a hard one.
Hi Jennie, I heard about the passing of Dolly Parton today. She was very well know and will be deeply mourned. This is a beautiful tribute to her.
We have lost a true talent and wonderful human being!
A super tribute, Jennie. She has done s much good with her reading progrm.
She really has. She’s certainly a role model for me. Thank you, John.
😊
❤️
Did we ever see Dolly without a smile on top of all of her humanitarian acts? Nine to Five was a classic. In this age of political differences, she was one person who was universally respected.
Well said! Everyone liked and respected Dolly. She always smiled and her humanitarian acts were among the best.
RIP Dolly. She definitely made a great impact on an amazing amount of people. I hope Imagination Library will continue to grow despite state funding cuts.
She did, and I hope so, too. Thank you, Marcia!
Oh my goodness. Lovely tribute. What a blow for all of us. She will definitely be missed.
Many thanks! It was a big blow, and she will be missed.
What a beautiful tribute, my friend! Dolly was one of the greatest humanitarians in the world and she will be sorely missed, but she left us a legacy that will never be forgotten!
Hear, hear! And thank you!
What an icon. I heard today that she gave away most of her millions to charities. That sounds like Dolly. What a wonderful person she was, and the more we get to know about her, the bigger and better she becomes. Thanks for taking the time to remember her, Jennie. :)xxx
Well said, Marsha. You are spot on!
She was a talented artist and an inspiration to millions of people, children and adults. I like this post, very much, Jennie.
She was, Dan. I call her ‘the real deal’. I’m glad you liked this post.
Dolly’s departure was a giant loss to the world. RIP Dolly! 🧡
It was a giant loss!
Dolly was so much more than a pretty face and voice. She was such a wonderful human being, so caring to everyone. Her gifts to promote literacy were priceless and I’m thrilled that her family plan to continue the Imagination Library. I loved Nine to Five as well, but so many of her others are movies that I remember fondly. Great post, Jennie.