For nine-year-old Zenayda, the decisive factor in her life was not the famous career of Dolly Parton in country music, but the beloved book donation program Imagination Library run by this entertainment icon. Zenayda told AFP while flipping through Parton's children's book 'Coat of Many Colors' at a temporary memorial in the singer-songwriter's hometown at the foot of the Smoky Mountains.
Parton's successful book project stemmed from personal pain: her own father grew up illiterate in rural Tennessee. However, thanks to Imagination Library, millions of children like Zenayda in the United States and around the world have received literacy support from Parton herself—books that arrive free by mail from birth to age five.
From 6 Thousand to 3.4 Million Books
For two young sons, Kendall Manning, this program proved to be a real salvation. The 41-year-old theatrical performer told AFP at the memorial, where Imagination Library books lay among flowers, that they receive books from birth. She noted that the letter sent to them for registration speaks of a person and the heart they have for people.
Dolly Parton, who passed away this week at the age of 80, is known worldwide for her music. Nevertheless, locals remembered her more for her philanthropy and care for the younger generation in the working-class areas of her native East Tennessee. Her non-profit foundation continues to support this popular program.
What began in 1995 as a modest donation of 6 thousand books to needy children has grown into a massive operation involving hundreds of local groups and numerous publishers. Eugene Newton, treasurer of the Dollywood Foundation, told AFP that they now distribute 3.4 million books monthly to children under five. The foundation finances this program alongside other donors.
The Book Lady
Literacy was a critical issue for Parton. She said she created Imagination Library because of her own father's inability to read, which likely prevented him from realizing all his dreams. She once stated in an interview with a local NBC affiliate in Boston: 'I am a Book Lady for many children, and I am very proud of it.'
The books have reached many families in East Tennessee, where hospitals often invite young parents into the program. Susan Williams recalled registering all five of her grandchildren on their birthdays. She added that her children also received the books, and now their children do too—two generations.
According to Imagination Library, 300 million books have been given away since its inception.
From Alaska to Australia
The program has spread to Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Ireland. In the United States, Parton's books have even reached Bethel, Alaska, a small town accessible only by plane or boat, which serves as a hub for indigenous villages. Zenayda's mother, Katie Ellis, brought her four children to Parton's memorial to honor the woman who changed their lives. Her son Victor, aged 11, sat on the sidewalk reading his version of the book Llama Llama Red Pajama, which is a family favorite.
Ellis said she sees her program as part of a collective culture, and she lacks the words to express how important it is. Local teacher Tabitha Thomas, 34, was also present at the memorial with her three children, who are growing up with these books, including a seven-month-old who has already received several books by mail. She noted that poor children in the region often lack money to buy these books, so Parton's generosity greatly helps the community. She concluded: 'She touched so many lives.'