Make bedtime book time with free books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

2 April 2019

Since its launch in 2016, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has sent out over 40,000 free books to more than 6,000 children in Southwark.

If you have a child who was born in 2016, 2017, 2018 or 2019 and you live in Southwark, you can make bedtime book time with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Your child will receive an age appropriate book in the post every month until their fifth birthday, absolutely free.

Supported by the Dollywood Foundation and DialAFlight, the goal is to provide children in Southwark their very own 60 book library of high-quality books by age five.

Having these books in their home helps children develop a love of books and reading. It also prepares them for their next educational journey.

One Southwark parent said of the scheme: “I have an 11 month-old son. We look forward to the new book being posted through the door. When I say, ‘look there is your book’, my son claps his hands and gets all excited. We then sit down and read the book together.”

Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the premier early childhood book gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation has mailed well over 100 million free books in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and the United States.

Cllr Jasmine Ali, cabinet member for children, schools and adult care said: “If you’re eligible and you haven’t signed up you are missing out on loads of free books! As we all know reading is fundamental in a child’s development but it’s not without a financial burden. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a great way of keeping reading material updated with not cost to you as a parent.”

Dolly Parton said: “I am so grateful for all of the good work in Southwark. Just think how many children we have inspired to love books and to love learning.”

To sign up visit our website or search ‘Southwark imagination library’ online.

Page last updated: 02 April 2019