Lucky Tennessee kids (and kids in most States)

I heard a broadcaster say “I wasn’t born in the south, but I got here as soon as I could.  After much thought I agree with him, but suggest a slightly different version: Babies who were not born in Tennessee should get here as fast as they can!

Why Tennessee? Lots of reasons, good weather, wonderful people, great music, but most important, free books! No not all books are free, and not everyone is able to get them. Let me explain.

Dolly Parton, one of Tennessee’s most loved ladies, grew up very poor in Tennessee. But she had big dreams. And because of her hard work, her musical talent, and her loving and inspiring personality her dreams came true. Still she longed for more, not for herself, but more for the kids of Tennessee.

It’s no secret that Tennessee ranks near the bottom of the states in education. Knowing that, Dolly decided to help each baby born in her native Sevier County build his/her own library. Starting in 1995 Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library began to send each new born baby a new, age appropriate, book every month until they turned five years old.  Soon she worked with any community who would raise the money to send free books offering inspiration and imagination to many of Tennessee’s babies.

Ten years ago Tennessee’s Governor’s Books From Birth Foundation was formed and merged with Dolly’s Imagination Library to provide books for all 80,000 babies every year in Tennessee. Since the more that 22,000,000 books have been delivered to the preschoolers of our great state.

The good news  continues. Today’s kindergartners are starting school ready to read, loaded with enthusiasm and filled imagination. There are lots of positive effects mentioned on the www.governorsfoundation.org. I’ll tell you just one: Kids who have  at least 25 books in their home average two more years of education than those with no books; those with “lots of books” average three more years of schooling.

Now, here is the real good news is you don’t have to live in Tennessee to take advantage of this outstanding program, Dolly’s Imagination Library has expanded to almost every state, and several foreign countries, with over 50 locations. Many, like Tennessee’s, are partly (50% in our state) founded by the state with the balance coming from Imagination Library and other private donations.

In many states a parent or friend must register the baby or preschooler to get started. What a wonderful gift to a newborn baby, its family, and our country. You can sponsor a child for only $12 a year! Go to, http://www.imaginationlibrary.com/  to make a donation, register your child / grandchild, or just to learn more.