Joe Gentry

New groundbreaking research – the largest dataset ever conducted on shared book reading – reaffirms that Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library significantly strengthens early literacy skills for children in Northeast Michigan alongside children across the five other countries, reinforcing the power of shared reading in the earliest years of life.

The study, authored by Dr. Claire Galea, Head of Research at United Way Australia, analyzed data from more than 86,000 caregivers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and the Republic of Ireland. Results were compared with responses from 18,112 caregivers who were on the program compared to 37,776 whose children were not in the program.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the flagship program of the Dollywood Foundation, was created over 30 years ago in honor of her father, who could not read or write. The program is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five. Today, the international program mails more than 3 million books each month directly to children’s homes. Every enrolled child receives one book per month from birth to age five – at no cost to families.

In Alpena and Presque Isle counties, Imagination Library is delivered locally through the United Way of Northeast Michigan, helping ensure children have access to books during the most critical years of brain development.

Global findings

The study found that across all countries evaluated, Dolly Parton Imagination Library is linked to stronger early literacy outcomes and richer reading experiences at home – helping close early literacy gaps by strengthening foundational skills, increasing the frequency of children being read to, and boosting children’s interest and engagement during shared book reading. It also shows the program builds positive family reading habits and traditions, with caregivers more likely to interact in meaningful ways (like talking about pictures and encouraging children to hold the book), reinforcing a warm, consistent home literacy environment that supports children’s learning and long-term success.

United States highlights

– Children were 11 times more likely to be interested in books and 15 times more likely to join in during shared reading compared to children not in the program.

– Children were nine times more likely to initiate shared reading and nearly three times more likely to demonstrate concepts about print compared to children not in the program.

Imagination library in Alpena and Presque Isle County

– Children currently enrolled: 946 and 619 children have graduated from the program

– Books gifted locally to date: 33,508

– Alpena County program launch: June 2022

– Presque Isle County program launch: October 2023

– Local funding agency: United Way of Northeast Michigan

Founded by Dolly Parton in 1995 to honor her father, the Imagination Library continues to deliver measurable, international impact by putting books directly into children’s homes. Visit imaginationlibary.com for more information and registration can be completed on-line or by contacting United Way of Northeast Michigan at unitedwaynemi.org.