Woodland children can receive one free book each month from birth until their fifth birthday regardless of family income level through United Way California Capital Region, which runs Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Yolo County. Children ages 0-5 across Yolo County are eligible for the program.

United Way California Capital Region has been a driving force across the region for more than 100 years, listening, responding and taking comprehensive action to meet local needs. From advancing youth opportunities and helping kids excel in school, to strengthening local communities and investing in families’ financial security and health, United Way mobilizes communities to build a future where everyone can reach their full potential and thrive.

Working across Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties, the local United Way provides books and literacy tutoring, addresses housing and food security, leads the region’s largest tax preparation initiative, works with foster youth across school districts, launched the region’s first guaranteed income program and leads the Community Schools initiative in West Sacramento.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Yolo County is part of the local United Way’s work to help kids excel in school and ensure young people realize their full potential.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free high-quality books to children from birth to age 5, no matter their family’s income. The program began in Sevier County, Tenn., where Parton grew up, and has since expanded internationally, donating more than 200 million books since its inception. United Way California Capital Region runs the program in Yolo County.

In 1995, the country music star launched an exciting new effort, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, to benefit the children of her home county in East Tennessee. Parton’s vision was to “foster a love of reading among her county’s preschool children and their families,” according to the Imagination Library’s website.

“The new program gave each child a specially selected book each month,” the website states. “By mailing high quality, age appropriate books directly to their homes, Dolly wanted children to be excited about books and to feel the magic that books can create. Moreover, she could ensure that every child would have books, regardless of their family’s income.”

Since its launch, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has set and surpassed many goals and milestones. The first book order in 1995 totaled just over 1,700. Today, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library sends more than one million books per month to children around the world inspiring them to “Dream More, Learn More, Care More and Be More.”

“Our families tell us how excited the kids get each month when they open the mailbox and find a book ‘from Dolly.’ It’s such a great way to get kids enthusiastic about reading at a young age,” said Edward King, chief program officer, United Way California Capital Region. “We know that when kids enjoy reading, they are more likely to excel in it, which sets the foundation for success in school.”

For more information and to sign up: https://www.yourlocalunitedway.org/dolly-parton-imagination-library.