Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Australia
A gift of stories, imagination, and early literacy
If you’ve been around children’s books for even a minute, you’ll know that nothing compares to the magic of putting a book into a child’s hands. And if you’ve ever seen a toddler receive their very own book in the post — addressed to them, no less — it’s pure, unforgettable joy. That’s exactly the kind of magic Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library brings to families across Australia.
As a picture book illustrator, I’m endlessly inspired by programs that nurture reading from the very beginning of a child’s life. And Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library? It’s one of the most powerful, generous, and genuinely transformative programs we have.
What Is the Imagination Library?
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a free book-gifting program that sends high-quality, age-appropriate books to children every month — from birth to age five. Yes, absolutely free. No catches. No subscriptions. Just stories arriving like clockwork, wrapped in delight and possibility.
The program started in the US, but thanks to a partnership with United Way Australia, it officially launched here in 2013 — making Australia the fourth nation (and third continent) to join Dolly’s mission to “inspire a love of reading in the hearts of children everywhere.”
And she really means everywhere. Rural communities, city suburbs, remote regions — anywhere local organisations and volunteers step up to sponsor children, the books begin to flow.
How It Works (and why it’s brilliant!)
Every month, registered children receive a book selected specifically for their age and developmental stage. Think board books for the littlest readers, picture books packed with rhythm and colour for toddlers, and gentle pre-literacy titles for preschoolers.
Behind the scenes, it’s a beautifully coordinated machine:
The Imagination Library handles the global infrastructure and book-ordering system.
United Way Australia selects the titles, arranges wholesale purchasing, and organises national mailing.
Local partnerships — councils, community groups, charities, and generous individuals — sponsor children in their region so the books remain completely free.
The result? A steady stream of stories arriving in mailboxes, building home libraries for families who might otherwise struggle to access new books.
Parents often talk about how excited their kids get when their “Dolly book” arrives each month. It becomes a ritual — running to the letterbox, recognising their name, opening the envelope, and diving into a new world.
Why Programs Like This Matter
We know (and research confirms) that kids who are read to from birth develop stronger language skills, deeper imagination, and more confidence when they eventually step into school. But beyond that, reading together builds connection — tiny pockets of closeness that children remember long after the books are shelved.
For Australian families facing barriers — distance, finances, or limited local resources — the Imagination Library is more than a literacy program. It’s access, dignity, and equity wrapped up in the form of a book.
As someone who illustrates stories for children, this fills me with such hope. Books shape childhoods. They remind kids that their thoughts matter, their feelings matter, and their imaginations are welcome. A program that delivers that message every month? That’s powerful.
AN artists Perspective
I love knowing that out there, right now, little hands are opening beautifully illustrated stories that may become their first favourite book. Maybe the first book they chew on. The first they carry to daycare in a backpack. The first they make their parents read “just one more time.”
And perhaps, one day, one of those children will grow up to be an illustrator, author, teacher, storyteller — all because someone made sure a book reached their home!
It’s a reminder that the kidlit world is bigger than just creating art — it’s about how our work reaches children, how it shapes their futures, and how storytelling opens doors.
A Little Personal Exciting News
I’m thrilled to share that my own paperback picture book, My Mother’s Invisible Shield, will be joining the Imagination Library next month. I honestly can’t put into words how special it feels knowing that this book — which is so full of warmth, family connection, and the invisible everyday love between parents and children — will soon be arriving in mailboxes across Australia. The idea that thousands of little readers will unwrap it, hold it, and share it with someone they love is beyond meaningful. It’s an honour to have my work included in a program that champions early literacy so beautifully.
❤️ How You Can Support It
If you’re passionate about early literacy or simply love the idea of kids receiving free books, you can:
Support local groups who sponsor children in your area
Spread the word to parents, teachers, and community centres
Check if your region is already participating — if not, you can help start a program
Even just mentioning the Imagination Library in conversations makes a difference. Awareness grows programs, and programs grow readers.
A Monthly Gift That Changes Lives
Dolly Parton once said, “You can never get enough books into the hands of enough children.” The Imagination Library embodies that truth beautifully. With every monthly postage stamp, another child gets to feel seen, valued, and full of possibility.
And in a world where imagination is one of our greatest resources, that’s a gift worth celebrating. See more on their website here.
Hey, there! I’m Jasmine Berry, a freelance illustrator based in sunny Perth, Western Australia. Most days you’ll find me sketching away on my iPad or surrounded by pencils and cats, chasing new ideas. I like to think of myself as eternally optimistic—always seeing the fun, the colour, and the possibility in every project I take on. Send me a message if you would like to collaborate on a project.