08/26/2026
Yesterday, the world lost the incomparable Dolly Parton. 🦋
Yes, Dolly gave us unforgettable songs, an unmistakable voice, and a spirit filled with humor and grace. But one of her greatest legacies will be the millions of children who discovered the joy of reading through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
Inspired by her father’s inability to read and write, Dolly started the program in 1995 to send free books to young children in her Tennessee home county. Her simple idea grew into an international movement that now gives millions of books to children every month, regardless of their family’s income.
Dolly understood that when you put a book into a child’s hands, you give them more than a story. You give them confidence, curiosity, possibility, and the freedom to dream bigger.
Her voice will be deeply missed. Her generosity will keep speaking for generations.
Thank you, Dolly, for the music, the laughter, the books, and the dreams. 💛📚🦋