Dolly Parton's Imagination Library sees 10,000 free books delivered to children in the Five Towns

The 74-year-old American country singer has donated 10,000 books since 2017 to children in Wakefield thanks to her Imagination Library scheme.

The Imagination Library was launched in Airedale and Ferry Fryston in 2017 and was later rolled out across Knottingley, Pontefract north and south, central Castleford and Airedale.

Dolly started her Imagination Library in 1995 in the USA, inspired by her father’s inability to read and write. Today, the program spans five countries and gifts over a million free books a month to children across the globe.

The scheme gives free books to support babies and children to develop a love of reading, helping them to succeed throughout their lives.

Since 2017 a total of 468 children have registered with the scheme in the Wakefield district, with 53 children signing up in the last two months.

Eligible children receive an age appropriate book in the post each month until their fourth birthday. All books from the Imagination Library are high quality, having been carefully selected by a panel of experts in early childhood literacy and reading.

Since 2017 a total of 468 children have registered with the scheme in the Wakefield district, with 53 children signing up in the last two months.

Councillor Faith Heptinstall, Wakefield Council's Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, said: "Supporting children's potential and early development is a key priority for the Council. We want our children and young people to be happy, healthy, and ambitious.

"Books change children's lives; reading helps spark their imagination and develop important language skills.

"The Imagination Library is giving the wonderful gift of reading to families across the district, providing opportunities for young children to explore all kinds of books, forming great habits and a love of reading that is so important for their future."

Sister charity the Dollywood Foundation has also offered a free programme for children in care in Wakefield to receive free Imagination Library books. To date, 109 families have been registered onto the scheme and they will receive their first Peter Rabbit book in December.

Wakefield Council is working in partnership with Spectrum CIC to continue delivery Dolly’s Imagination Library in the Wakefield District, forming part of a range of provisions across the area that is aimed at improving young children’s communication, language, and literacy skills.

Dr Linda Harris, Chief Executive of Spectrum, said: "We are delighted by the success of the initial roll-out of the Imagination Library and Spectrum values our excellent partnership with Wakefield Council in delivering this. Feedback from families has been so positive and we look forward to welcoming yet more families on to the scheme.

"Reading brings families together and is a fantastic way for young children to nurture their imagination and creative skills, as well as their love of reading."

It is free to sign up to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Registration is open to babies aged 0 – 2 years old from Knottingley, Pontefract north and south, Castleford central, Ferry Fryston and Airedale. Check eligibility and register here.