Free Books for Kids!
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library sends an age-appropriate book each month to all registered children in Whatcom County. All Whatcom County children aged zero to five are eligible for this free program.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a low barrier literacy program that mails one book every month to registered children under 5 at no cost to families! Research shows that the mere presence of books in a home is linked to higher reading scores, stronger bonds with caregivers, and positive academic and career outcomes later on. By funding and managing this program, United Way of Whatcom County is helping to set our community’s kids up for success!
Children who are registered at birth will have amassed their own personal library of up to 60 books by their fifth birthday.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a low barrier literacy program that mails one book monthly to registered children under 5 at no cost to families. Research shows that the mere presence of books in a home is linked to higher reading scores, stronger bonds with caregivers, and positive acamedic and career outcomes later on. By funding and managing this program, United Way of Whatcom County is helping to set our community’s kids up for success!
Children who are registered at birth will have amassed their own personal library of up to 60 books by their fifth birthday.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does it work?
Every month, a new, carefully selected book will be mailed in your child’s name directly to your home. There is no cost or obligation to your family.
Who is eligible?
All kids under the age of five in Whatcom County.
What are my responsibilities?
- Be a resident of Whatcom County.
- Click the button to register online OR submit an official registration form filled out by a parent or guardian.
- Notify United Way of Whatcom County any time your address changes. You will need to update your address in order to continue receiving books.
- Read with your child and have fun!
When will books start arriving?
Eight to ten weeks after your registration form has been received, books will begin arriving at your home. Books will continue to be delivered until your child turns five or you move outside of Whatcom County.
How are the books chosen?
Each year, the esteemed Blue Ribbon Book Selection Committee, a specially selected panel of early childhood literacy experts, is responsible for reviewing hundreds of potential titles for inclusion in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. To see the current list, click here.
Audio & Braille Book Options
Looking for accessible options? The Braille Tales Print/Braille Book Program presented by APH and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library provides 6 free books in print/braille formats a year until a child’s 6th birthday for children who are blind or visually impaired, as well for blind or visually impaired parents with children under 6. Click here to sign up your child for print/braille.
This partnership also offers audio book formats for children who are blind or visually impaired. For more information on audio book options, click here.
Support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library isn’t just a low-barrier literacy program; it’s an investment into the future of our community. Children who are given access to the right tools and resources needed for proper development are more likely than those who aren’t to excel in reading, language acquisition, and academic and professional success.
The success of this program relies on local program partners (United Way of Whatcom County) and the generous businesses, donors, and communities that support them.
$26 covers the cost for one child to participate for 12 months, and includes 12 brand new, age-appropriate books delivered by mail!
$130 covers the cost of one child to participate from birth to age five.
Give the gift of reading to a child right here in Whatcom County and set our community’s kids up for success.
Thank you to our Imagination Library Sponsors!
Interested in becoming a sponsor for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library? Contact hello@unitedwaywhatcom.org and put DPIL Sponsorship in the subject line.