Hackney has become a new official site for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the largest early-childhood book gifting programme in the world.
Founded by American singer-songwriter and actress Parton, 80, in 1995, the initiative provides young children with books delivered straight to their door every month.
The programme became available to children up to the age of five living in Hackney, north east London, on World Book Day, and is completely free to join.
The scheme has reached countries all across the globe and is now fostering over three million young readers in Australia, Canada, the United States, the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Caroline Woodley, Mayor of Hackney, said: “We know how much those small moments, like storytime before bed, can spark imagination.
“Every child deserves the chance to discover the magic of books, and grow up surrounded by stories that inspire curiosity and confidence, no matter their background.”
Penguin Random House Children’s has been the UK publishing partner of Dolly Parton’s imagination library since 2008.
The Imagination Library carefully selects its books with the aim of supporting speech, language and emotional development in young children.
The committee actively seeks to reflect diversity by selecting books with a range of perspectives and experiences along with universal themes that resonate with young children everywhere such as friendship, curiosity, kindness, imagination and confidence.
Clare Cook, UK director of fundraising and communications at the Imagination Library told the Londoners: “We believe all children deserve to see themselves reflected in the books they read, while also discovering lives and experiences beyond their own.
“Books should act both as mirrors and as windows into the wider world.”
Starting off as a local programme in Tennessee, Parton created the Imagination Library as a tribute to her father who was unable to read, with a vision of inspiring a love for reading in the children of her hometown.
Since then, it has grown to international heights, mailing well over 300 million books globally.
A study led by Dr Caroline Zwierzchowska-Dod has found children who had received Imagination Library books for 12 months or more showed improved development and academic outcomes by the age of five.
By delivering the books to the houses of participating families at no cost, the program breaks down barriers such as financial situation and accessibility, creating a level playing field on which any child can discover their love for reading.
It costs approximately £26 for a year’s worth of books per child, a cost made sustainable by local programme partners such as local authorities, charities and community groups who fund most of the cost of the books and mailing.
Parton believed no child should have to grow up without access to books, and as a team, the Imagination Library have made that a possibility.
Featured Image credit: Hackney Council
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