Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has sent 300 million free books to children

Dolly Parton, who died aged 80, launched her Imagination Library in 1995 to honour her father, who never learned to read. The programme provides children from birth to age five with one free book every month. By 2025, the scheme had given out more than 300 million books across several countries.

By BriefTea Editorial · 29 August 2026 at 8:26

Reported by BBC · How we write briefs

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How do book charities work? What is early literacy? What is universal book gifting? Who was Dolly Parton?

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