Get the app →
BriefTea logoBriefTea

Every story in sixty words

Get the free app no ads · no paywall

Entertainment · 29 August 2026

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

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

Photo: Eva Rinaldi Celebrity Photographer (CC BY SA 2.0)

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.

Reported by BBC · How we write briefs

Get the app

Understand this story

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

More briefs

EntertainmentBBC to air two-part documentary on J.K. Rowling next year EntertainmentArion Kurtaj, GTA 6 leaker, stands trial November 9 EntertainmentPrince Harry says he felt depressed after leaving UK in 2019 EntertainmentParents use AI to remove watermarks from school photos instead of paying EntertainmentBritish Museum apologises for Bayeux Tapestry visitor queues and makes changes EntertainmentHarry and Meghan make first UK appearance together at a pub More entertainment stories → Browse all stories →