Free books delivered to children age 5 and under in Washington State (greaterseattleonthecheap.com)

Every child age five and under in Washington State can receive free age-appropriate books delivered by mail every month through the Imagination Library program.

colorful block spell 'read' in front of happy child and bookcase

Every child age five and under in Washington State can receive free books through the Imagination Library program – photo by globalmoments via iStock by Getty Images

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

In 1995, beloved country entertainer Dolly Parton started the flagship program of her nonprofit Dollywood Foundation. Imagination Library was a way to distribute books to the impoverished Tennessee county where she grew up. The state of Tennessee quickly adopted the program statewide. Since then, the program has expanded to other states and other countries, including Washington. At last count, Imagination Library mails more than 1.8 million books each month to enrolled children and has gifted well over 172 million free books.

Each book is personalized with the child’s name and mailed directly to the child’s home. This gifting experience makes books exciting and shows the child someone is thinking of them. The first book a child receives is “The Little Engine That Could™” (customized version). The month a child turns five years old, they will receive “Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!” (customized version).

During the year, a new age-appropriate book arrives each month that has been selected by The Blue Ribbon Book Committee. The books include several bilingual English/Spanish titles each year.

Review the book list at United States Book List – Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Imagination Library of Washington

In 2022, Washington was the eleventh state to commit to achieving statewide coverage with passage of House Bill 2068, recognizing Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library as a statewide program.

Imagination Library of Washington wants to foster a love of reading among young learners by ensuring access to free monthly books mailed directly to their homes. Reading begins at birth and the benefits of a home library go far beyond the books. By providing free books every month, the Imagination Library increases childhood literacy rates, fosters a love of books, and promotes a culture of reading among all families in Washington State.

Washington’s Imagination Library has 28 operating affiliates covering portions of the 39 counties in the state, and 17,000 eligible children are receiving free books.

To enroll Washington your child, go to Imagination Library of Washington (imaginationlibrarywashington.org)
Find a Program where you live – Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

A love of reading begins at birth. Just 10 minutes a day to share books with your child will make a huge difference to their development. Photo by M-image via iStock by Getty Images

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