The Dolly Parton Imagination Library has opened for children in Little River County and the Ashdown School District.
"Children in the Ashdown School District from birth to age 5 will receive a book each month from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Program beginning eight to 10 weeks after registration. Children can receive up to 60 books," said Ronda Pounds, public relations coordinator for the Ashdown School District.
Parton is a singer and songwriter who is familiar with Little River County.
Kent Wells is a member of Parton's band and has produced music for the legendary singer.
Wells is a 1981 graduate of Ashdown High School and was honored Sept. 30, 2017, by the Ashdown High School Alumni Association.
Dolly also honored Wells and performed during the banquet and a jam session in an outdoor concert.
The Ashdown Community Foundation decided to participate in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
To receive the books, parents must register at the Administration Building at 751 Rankin St., then mail a form to Ashdown Community Foundation, Inc. (P.O. Box 909, Ashdown, AR 71822) or online at https://imaginationlibrary.com/.
"This is a book program that mails free books to children in participating communities," said Pounds.
"Dolly Parton was inspired to start the program in 1995 because her father was unable to read. Today, over 1 million free books are mailed each month to four countries. Her vision was to foster a love of reading among her county's preschool children and their families providing them with the gift of a specially selected book each month," she said.
"We could not partner with the Dollywood Foundation to bring the Imagination Library to Little River County without the support of school superintendent Jason Sanders and the Ashdown School District. We are excited to offer these excellent books free of charge to any child between the age of birth to five years old. We expect great things such as increasing kindergarten readiness, improving reading ability and overall literary knowledge," said Tyler Davis, county chairperson for the Little River Imagination Library.