Dolly Parton's "Imagination Library"

De Kalb, Miss. - According to education experts, parents play an important role in developing reading habits in their children. That’s why Kemper County is participating in Imagination Library to promote early childhood literacy.

Founded by the famous country singer, Dolly Parton, Imagination Library is a foundation that teams with local community partners to inspire a love of reading in children. The program works by mailing a free ‘high-quality’ book to children, age 5 and under, every month.

Loretta Hulin, Kemper County’s Imagination Library Coordinator, says the program prepares children for the future.

"The results of the assessment of children who have participated in the Dolly Parton program show that their scores are higher than those children who have not been exposed to early reading at home or a standardized structured program like the Dolly Parton imagination project," says Hulin.

Hulin also says everyone in the community plays a huge role in childhood development, starting with a child's parent.

She goes on to say, “the time alone dedicated to the child by the parent sets up a bond with the child.”

The Imagination Library program is sponsored by the United Way of East Mississippi, the Strasser Family Foundation, and the Partners for Kemper County, Community Foundation of East Mississippi. To enroll your child or county in this program, please click here.