CHILDREN across Scotland have received more than 25,000 free books thanks to a partnership between country music star Dolly Parton and the Wheatley Foundation.
The foundation, part of the Wheatley Group, teamed up with Parton’s Imagination Library to help children develop their reading skills.
Imagination Library was set up by the singer in 1995 and allows children under the age of five to be sent a specially chosen book free of charge every month until their fifth birthday.
On National Reading Day on January 23, the Wheatley Foundation announced that a total of 1293 young children have signed up to the scheme – with 25,206 books delivered since 2018.
READ MORE: Edinburgh student creates period kit for outdoor adventurers
The books are available to tenants of Wheatley Homes in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dumfries and Galloway.
Wheatley Foundation chairman Professor Paddy Gray said: “The Imagination Library is a great way of introducing toddlers to the joys of reading.
“As well as increasing opportunities for children in later life, it really encourages regular family time too.
“On National Reading Day, we are proud to be able to announce that we have already distributed 25,000 books to children across Wheatley communities.”
Lyndsay Calderwood, from Stranraer, signed up her three-year-old son Alfie to the scheme 12 months ago.
The 37-year-old said: “We love the Imagination Library. I worked as a nursery nurse and I know how important reading is for a child.
“It’s great to have access to this scheme and it is great to get a new story delivered every month. Alfie loves reading as it is, but a new book really prompts him to read. It’s lovely that the parcel is addressed to him, and he loves opening it.
“The Imagination Library is a great service. New books can be expensive, so this can be beneficial for lots of families and their children.”
The flagship programme of Parton’s charity, The Dollywood Foundation, has gifted over 200 million free books in the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia and the Republic of Ireland.
READ MORE: SNP in letter to Rishi Sunak to 'undertake deep clean' of government
The Imagination Library sends more than two million high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to enrolled children from birth to age five.
Parton said she envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading and inspiring children to dream more, learn more, care more and be more.
Kirsty Hill, regional director (Scotland), The Dollywood Foundation, added: “We are excited to be celebrating alongside the Wheatley Foundation as we deliver the 25,000th Imagination Library book to children living in their communities.
"Dolly Parton’s ongoing commitment to support children in Scotland through her Imagination Library means more and more families can experience the magic of a new book arriving every month – but we could never do it alone.
“We know the Wheatley Group share our passion to help give children the best start in life and without their commitment to Dolly’s vision none of this would have been possible.
"I look forward to celebrating the next big milestone as we continue to work together and support more children to dream big.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel