Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Celebrates Read Across America Day
Wednesday, March 02, 2011 | 02:54am
Tennesseans are Urged to Read with their Children on March 2, 2011
NASHVILLE – The Governor's Books from Birth Foundation, which leads Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in all of Tennessee’s 95 counties, is urging families to read to their children today, March 2, 2011, in honor of Read Across America Day. Read Across America Day is the celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday.
“Reading is fundamental and getting the earliest start with reading that we can give our children is important,” says Governor Bill Haslam. “I encourage every family in Tennessee with young children to enroll their kids in the Imagination Library so that they can develop their vocabulary, get them prepared them for school, and start a love for reading before they even reach kindergarten.”
Families can enroll their children in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and receive one high quality, age appropriate book delivered to their children (age birth to five) each month by visiting www.governorsfoundation.org
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was created in 1996 by Dolly Parton as a gift to the children in her hometown of Sevierville, Tenn. and was later expanded to the entire state with the creation of the Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation. Just $24 annually provides for the purchase and delivery of 12 books to one child. This cost is split evenly between a non-profit sponsoring organization in every Tennessee county, and a state budgetary allocation administered by the Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation.
Currently, 57 percent of all Tennessee children birth to five are registered in the Imagination Library and are receiving free books in the mail. More than 213,000 Tennessee five-year-olds have already “graduated” from the program. The statewide program has helped deliver more than 12 million books to Tennessee children since the creation of the Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation in 2004.
About the Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation:
The Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation® was established in 2004 and currently serves Imagination Library organizers in all 95 counties by providing fund-raising, public relations, and other support. To learn how to support your county’s Imagination Library program, or for information on how to register a child, visit www.GovernorsFoundation.org or call toll-free, 1-877-99-BOOKS.
The Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation® was established in 2004 and currently serves Imagination Library organizers in all 95 counties by providing fund-raising, public relations, and other support. To learn how to support your county’s Imagination Library program, or for information on how to register a child, visit www.GovernorsFoundation.org or call toll-free, 1-877-99-BOOKS.
For more information about Read Across America, visit www.nea.org/readacross.