Groundbreaking new research—the largest dataset ever collected on shared book reading—has reaffirmed what many families have long felt: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is transforming early literacy for children around the world.

The international study, led by Dr. Claire Galea, Head of Research at United Way Australia, analyzed responses from more than 86,000 caregivers across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland. Their experiences were compared with data from 37,776 caregivers whose children were not enrolled in the program. The results were clear and consistent across all five countries: children receiving Imagination Library books show stronger early literacy skills, deeper engagement during reading time, and richer home reading environments.

Dolly Parton founded the Imagination Library in 1995 as a tribute to her father, who never learned to read or write. What began as a local effort in East Tennessee has grown into the world’s leading early childhood book‑gifting program. Today, the Imagination Library mails more than 3 million free, high‑quality, age‑appropriate books every month to children from birth to age five—at no cost to families.

Across all countries studied, the Imagination Library was linked to:

• Stronger foundational literacy skills
• More frequent shared reading at home
• Greater interest and engagement from children during reading time
• More meaningful interactions between caregivers and children, such as talking about pictures or encouraging children to hold the book
• Positive family reading habits that support long‑term learning

Researchers noted that the program helps close early literacy gaps by creating warm, consistent reading routines that set children up for future success.

United States

• Children were 11 times more likely to show interest in books.
• They were 15 times more likely to participate during shared reading.
• They were nine times more likely to initiate reading time and nearly three times more likely to demonstrate print awareness.

Canada

• Children were 13 times more likely to be read to four or more days per week.
• They were 11 times more likely to initiate shared reading.
• They were seven times more likely to demonstrate expressive vocabulary.

More than 300 million books have now been gifted through the Imagination Library across five countries. The program is funded through a partnership between The Dollywood Foundation and hundreds of local community organizations, making it one of the most far‑reaching early literacy initiatives in the world.

For more information about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, visit imaginationlibrary.com.