During these uncertain, difficult times, we could all use a way to remain peaceful and calm; especially families, who are struggling to keep routines and harmony in their homes.
Enter our good friend, Dolly Parton. The beloved country music icon and Guideposts cover star just announced she’s launching “Goodnight With Dolly,” a bedtime story YouTube series, where she’ll read aloud from children’s books on Thursday evenings.
It’s only natural that during these unique times Dolly would want to spread the love of reading, since she founded the Imagination Library literacy program, which has been delivering free books to millions of kids every month for 25 years.
“The Book Lady,” as kids call her, will be snuggled in bed with her book, reading age-appropriate content from the Imagination Library, such asThe Little Engine That Could, I Am a Rainbow and Coat of Many Colors, among others.
“This is something I have been wanting to do for quite a while, but the timing never felt quite right,” Dolly said. “I think it is pretty clear that now is the time to share a story and to share some love. It is an honor for me to share the incredible talent of these authors and illustrators. They make us smile, they make us laugh and they make us think.”
The inspiration behind the Imagination Library was Dolly’s father, Lee, who never had the chance to learn how to read or write. Her father died in 2000 but saw the difference Dolly was making outside her singing career. She started the free book program with the children in her hometown, Sivierville, Tennessee, and it has spread to all 50 states and across five countries. Dolly shared with us her own love of reading in this cover story from 2014.
To hear Dolly read aloud go to the Imagination Library YouTube channel on Thursday night, April 2, 2020, at 7 p.m. EST. The series will run for 10 weeks, so you might want to subscribe to the channel. We can only imagine the snazzy PJs she’ll be wearing!
