Fort Myers Naples, FL, August 25, 2026 —

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program dedicated to fostering early literacy by providing free books to children, has announced its statewide expansion in 21 U.S. states. The initiative, inspired by Parton’s father’s inability to read, aims to instill a love for books in young children from birth to age five.

The program mails a new, age-appropriate book each month to registered children at no cost to families. This expansion marks a significant milestone for the Imagination Library, increasing its reach and impact on early childhood development across the nation.

Recently, Parton marked the program’s growth with appearances in Missouri and Kentucky, two of the states where the Imagination Library is now available statewide. These events underscored the program’s core mission: to promote literacy and provide children with the foundational tools for lifelong learning and success. The organization emphasizes the importance of early exposure to reading, noting its critical role in cognitive development and academic readiness.

The Imagination Library’s expansion is supported by a network of local partners in each state who help manage the registration and distribution processes. While the specific details of the statewide rollout in all 21 states were not provided, the overarching goal remains consistent: to ensure that more children have access to the enriching experience of receiving books at home.

The program’s origins trace back to Parton’s personal experience, as she created the initiative to honor her father’s struggles with illiteracy. By distributing books, the Imagination Library seeks to overcome barriers to early literacy and create a positive association with reading from a young age.



Story summarized from the original created by AP on apnews.com, see more information here.

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