Back to School: Celebrating Our Youngest Graduates and Building Readiness for a Bright Year Ahead
As the summer sun fades and backpacks replace beach towels, we’re celebrating a special milestone for many young Washington children — those who graduated from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library this summer and are now stepping into their very first classrooms as kindergarteners very soon. From June to August this year, more than 7,000 children across the state received their last Imagination Library book, "Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!", with a very special graduation message from Dolly Parton herself.
Over the years, these children have received a new, high-quality, age-appropriate book each month from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, helping to spark their imaginations, strengthen family reading habits, and build a lifelong love of reading.
The back-to-school season is more than just new pencils and fresh notebooks — it’s the start of a new chapter in a child’s learning journey. For families enrolled in the Imagination Library, this time of year is a celebration of growth. Whether a child is starting kindergarten this fall or is still a few years away, the stories they’ve explored through the Imagination Library are helping them approach the school year with confidence, imagination, and a strong foundation for success.
The Power of Summer Reading
For all children, summer reading plays a powerful role in keeping minds active and ready to learn. Reading during the summer helps children:
- Maintain and strengthen the literacy skills they’ve been developing
- Expand vocabulary through exposure to new words and ideas
- Build confidence in storytelling and self-expression
- Foster a love of learning that extends beyond the classroom
Even just 15 minutes of reading together each day can make a measurable difference in school readiness.
School Readiness Tips for Parents
Whether your child is starting kindergarten this year or will be in the coming years, there are simple ways you can prepare them for success:
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Make Reading Part of Your Daily Routine
Continue reading together — morning, evening, or any quiet moment in between. Let your child choose books that interest them to encourage engagement. -
Talk About the School Day
Help ease first-day nerves by talking about what to expect at school, from meeting the teacher to lunchtime routines. -
Encourage Independence
Give your child opportunities to practice skills like putting on shoes, opening lunch containers, and organizing their backpack. -
Play and Learn
Puzzles, pretend play, counting games, and drawing all build important cognitive and social-emotional skills. -
Celebrate Milestones
Whether it’s learning to write their name, recognizing letters, or finishing their first “big kid” book, celebrate their progress to build confidence.
We welcome all children in Washington a wonderful start to their new school year! May it be filled with curiosity, discovery, and the joy of learning.