Dolly Parton's Imagination Library UK

10/05/2026

Happy National Children’s Day 💛

Children deserve the chance to imagine, explore, laugh, learn and feel loved.

One of the simplest and most powerful ways we can support children is by sharing stories together from the very beginning.

At Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, we’re proud to help families across the UK build a love of reading at home, one book at a time.

Because gifting a book is simple, but the journey it sparks is beyond imagination. ✨

National Children's Day UK

07/05/2026

One of the questions often we get asked is whether Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library discourages families from using libraries because children are receiving books at home already.

In reality, we keep seeing the opposite happen.

Here's a brilliant example from Dundee where Charleston Community Library saw a 24% increase in children’s book borrowing after launching their Imagination Library programme. Once reading becomes part of family life, families don’t suddenly want fewer books around them. They want more stories, and more opportunities to read together and explore books they might never otherwise have picked up.

The wider research backs this up too. Our global research involving more than 86,000 families found that children receiving Imagination Library books are 4.3 times more likely to have 25+ books at home, families are 61% more likely to read together four or more days a week and children are 2.5 times more likely to be interested in books.

A really lovely piece from the Scottish Library and Information Council here: https://scottishlibraries.org/boosting-library-engagement-with-dolly-parton/

A free book initiative aimed at children is helping to boost public library membership and engagement in Dundee. In May 2025 Charleston Community Library began hosting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library – an international programme which aims to inspire a love of reading by gifting free books to...

06/05/2026

A huge thank you to all the families who have joined us for our Imagination Library focus groups so far!

Last week, in Renfrewshire and London, families met to explore a selection of our books, shared their thoughts, and helped us learn more about what children and parents love most about reading together. It’s been such a joy hearing all your feedback about the programme and seeing little readers get excited about stories. Pirates and dinosaurs were a big hit across the board!

Your feedback plays an important part in our book selection process. This June, our panel of six Early Years experts will meet at Penguin Random House HQ to help us decide the 2027 Imagination Library book collection, carefully choosing stories that will inspire a love of reading in children and families everywhere. Check out our Age Appropriate Placement Guide on the last slide to see how we choose the books for each age group.

Next up, Dundee and the Wirral!

Email [email protected] if you'd like to come along. See you there 📚

27/04/2026

We are in awe of our two runners who smashed the London Marathon yesterday to help inspire a lifelong love of reading from birth for our youngest children. Hugest congratulations to Keith Couling and Jeff Conyers (president of The Dollywood Foundation) for working 9 to 5 and running 26.2! Go 💌👏💪🏃

17/04/2026

📚 Fundraising Friday

There’s something very special about a child getting their own book through the post with their name on it. Every single month.

That’s what you’re backing when you join our Dundee Kiltwalk team. You are helping families build those small, everyday reading moments that really add up over time. After just a few books, we see families reading together more often and children starting to ask for stories again and again.

The Kiltwalk is taking place in Dundee on 16th August and we'd love you to be part of it.

👉 Join the team: https://www.justgiving.com/team/dolly-dundee...
Bring a friend, bring your team, or just bring yourself.

01/04/2026

As we head towards the Easter break, we’ve been taking a moment to reflect on the impact of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in the UK.

These slides capture what that looks like in practice; the reach, the evidence, and the partnerships that make it all possible.

We’re incredibly grateful to all of the organisations we work alongside, including Central Mailing Services, Postcode Lottery UK and Penguin Random House and our 320 programme partners.

There’s still a long way to go, and a big opportunity ahead to reach more children and families across the UK. To find out more how you could get involved visit www.imaginationlibrary.com/uk or email [email protected].

30/03/2026

A few lovely moments from our "My Rice is Best" storytime session last week led by amazing Imagination Library author Selina Brown who wrote the book, and attended by Early Education Minister Olivia Bailey.

We were there to mark the launch of the new government guidance on screen time, as an example of a "safe swap" - swapping screen time for shared story time. What's so great about Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is that books arrive through the letterbox each month, addressed to a child, creating regular opportunities for connection, fun and learning.

A big thank you to our partners at Lambeth Council for hosting the event and making it possible for every child in the borough aged 0-5 to be able to be part of the programme, inspiring a love of reading from birth.

20/03/2026

Fundraising Friday 🏃‍♂️📚

This week we’re cheering on Keith Couling, who is taking on the London Marathon in support of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Plymouth, delivered by PCiP - Promoting Children in Plymouth.

When we asked Keith what’s driving him to take on this huge challenge, he said: "My favourite saying is – if you want something badly enough, you won’t stop at obstacles. You’ll push through limits, make sacrifices, and do whatever it takes to achieve your goals.” That determination is helping more children receive the gift of books.

If Keith reaches his target, he will have raised enough to send 1,000 books to children in Plymouth. And he’s nearly there! Every donation helps put a book through a child’s letterbox, creating moments of connection, imagination and shared stories at home.

If you’re able to support Keith, we’d love you to get behind him 👇
https://lnkd.in/eTFSJtnc
Thank you Keith 💛

19/03/2026

How wonderful to see our partners at Newcastle City Council for extending their partnership with us, working to inspire a lifelong love of reading in children across Newcastle. 😍

17/03/2026

Nancy is 13 months old and has just received her very first book from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Here she is opening her parcel and enjoying Peter Rabbit with her mum. One of the things families often tell us they love is that the books arrive wrapped and addressed directly to the child.

From then on, a new book arrives every month until their fifth birthday, ready to be opened and shared together.

We're looking forward to following Nancy's story as she discovers her new books, month by month.

If your child receives Imagination Library books, we’d love to see them reading too. Tag us in your photos and videos when the books arrive.