Country Singer Dolly Parton To Read Children's Stories From Her Bed To Yours As Part Of 'Goodnight With Dolly' Series

Mar 31, 2020 by apost team

Country superstar Dolly Parton will read aloud a story to children everywhere on her Imagination Library YouTube channel every Thursday for the next ten weeks starting April 2. The country star aims to inspire a love of reading and provide a welcome distraction during these trying times. 

Parton will read childhood classics along with a few newer books written by the country music star herself. Featured titles include: There’s a Hole in the Log on the Bottom of the Lake by Loren Long, Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney, I Am a Rainbow and Coat of Many Colors by Dolly Parton, Pass It On by Sophy Henn, Stand Tall Molly Lou Mellon by Patty Lovell, Violet the Pilot by Steve Breen, Max & The Tag-Along Moon by Floyd Cooper, Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña and The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper.

“This is something I have been wanting to do for quite a while, but the timing never felt quite right,” Parton said in the Imagination Library press release. “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.”

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For fans who are unfamiliar with Parton’s philanthropic work, Parton launched the Imagination Library in 1995 in an effort to distribute high-quality children’s books to families in need throughout Tennessee, according to the organization’s website. By 2003, the program had delivered millions of books after expanding to serve the entire U.S. In recent years, the program has begun to send books overseas to countries like Ireland, Canada and the U.K. According to The Guardian, Parton was inspired to launch the Imagination Library project due to her family's background. She grew up in a house with only one book, the bible, and with a father who could not read or write. Beyond providing children and families with meaningful entertainment, the project also aims to increase literacy across the globe.

The Imagination Library’s new venture, the Goodnight with Dolly YouTube series, aims to provide youngsters with a distraction during this uncertain and stressful time. The series might also provide some relief for parents who are currently taking care of their children 24/7. Dressed in pajamas and filming from her bedroom, Parton — or as she refers to herself, the Book Lady — released a video teasing the series on March 30. While the series will be free for all viewers, Parton emphasized in the press release that viewers won’t be “free from obligation” to spread the message of love, hope and togetherness.

In the same press release, Parton also announced that she had delayed the release of her 300 plus screen release documentary, The Library That Dolly Built, until September 2020 in order to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the library’s founding.

Will your children be tuning in to the country singer's Goodnight With Dolly series? What books do you enjoy reading to your children? Let us know and pass this on to other parents.