Today is an exciting day for children ages 0-5 in Asotin County! All kids under the age of five are now eligible to receive a free book each month in the mail through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, thanks to new program affiliate Twin County United Way.

“Our biggest education goal is to have students reading at grade level by third grade. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a wonderful program that allows children to receive a free book in the mail once a month until they turn 5,” said Suzanne Johnson, TCUW’s Chief Executive Officer. Over 1,100 children under the age of five in Asotin County are eligible to sign up for the Imagination Library.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library mails high quality, age-appropriate books each month to children from birth to five years old, free to the family. This early literacy program is proven to achieve equitable access to books, increase school readiness, foster a love of reading and books, and improve family engagement. Dolly’s inspiration behind creating the Imagination Library in 1995 in her home state of Tennessee can be attributed to her father and his inability to read. Inspiring kids to love to read became her mission and to-date, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has gifted over 188 million books to children all over the world.

“The wait is over for Asotin County early learners and families, and we are so pleased to have garnered the support of new affiliate hero, Twin County United Way to give the powerful gift of literacy to local children through this incredibly effective tool, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library,” stated ILWA Executive Director, Brooke Fisher-Clark.

Families can register their children for the Imagination Library in Asotin County by visiting tcuw.org/dolly-parton-library. Twin County United Way will be partnering with other organizations to reach as many Asotin County early learners possible, ensuring access to this valuable early literacy program.

Across Washington State, more than 37,000 early learners are receiving free monthly books. As momentum continues to build, the goal of achieving 150,000 kids enrolled in the Imagination Library in Washington by June of 2023 is well within reach. To follow Imagination Library of Washington’s exciting expansion progress and to check program availability in your community, visit www.imaginationlibrarywashington.org.