Brit mum hails Dolly Parton's 'legacy' after Imagination Library helped son develop 'amazing literacy skills'

EXCLUSIVE: A British mum has told how Dolly Parton's Imagination Library helped her young son develop a love of reading, as the star's remarkable book-gifting legacy continues after death

8/26/2026 The icon and literacy advocate died at the age of 80. Dolly Parton meets young children at the Magna Science and Adventure Park on Dec. 5, 2007, in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England, where she honored the former steelworks town as the first European location to participate in her 'Imagination Library' liter

Library Of Congress Pays Tribute To Dolly Parton's Literacy Program  HuffPost

Dolly Parton spent her life telling stories through songs, but one of her most enduring legacies may be the millions of stories she put in the hands of children. The country music icon, who died Tuesday at 80, founded her Imagination Library more than three decades ago with a mission to give young children books…

'The seeds of these dreams are often found in books and the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world.'

From acro to ultimate to arm wrestling and more these groups open their doors to new members — for free or low cost.