Remembering Dolly Parton: A Legacy of Love, Books and Imagination

The world is saying goodbye to Dolly Parton.

The legendary singer, songwriter, storyteller and philanthropist sadly died on the 25^th August 2026, aged 80. Dolly Parton is leaving behind a remarkable legacy of music, generosity and love. While she will wholeheartedly be remembered for her incredible music and acting career – and not to forget her witty and authentic personality – but there is also a part of Dolly’s legacy that deserves to be remembered: the millions of children who received a book because of her.

“You can never get enough books into the hands of enough children”

– Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton understood something wonderfully simple. A book can change a child’s world.

The Start Of Imagination Library 

Dolly launched Imagination Library in 1995, initially providing free books to children in her home county of Sevier County, Tennessee. The inspiration was deeply personal. Her father, whom Dolly described as smart and hardworking, had never had the opportunity to learn to read or write.

Dolly wanted to give children the opportunity he had missed.

What began as a local initiative grew into something extraordinary. Today, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library provides free, carefully selected books to children from birth to age five across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and the Republic of Ireland. The program mails millions of books every month.

Giving Every Child the Chance to Dream 

Dolly has always spoken about dreams and possibility, and Imagination Library puts that philosophy into practice.

The program is designed to give children access to books regardless of their family’s income. Each book is carefully selected to be age appropriate and engaging, helping children develop a love of reading while giving families an opportunity to share stories together.

Recent international research involving more than 86,000 caregivers across five countries found that children receiving Imagination Library books were significantly more likely to engage in shared reading and develop positive reading habits. The research found that, after receiving just 10 books, children were at least four times more likely to demonstrate stronger emerging literacy skills than children who had not yet received the books.

For those of us who love paper, Dolly’s story is a beautiful reminder that paper isn’t simply a material. It is a way of connecting people. Dolly Parton spent her life bringing joy, hope and possibility to other people. Her Imagination Library turned those values into something children could hold.

Dolly Parton believed in the power of imagination. And what better way to keep that imagination alive than by continuing to turn the page?

Source: Two Sides NA/Love Paper