Legendary country queen Dolly Parton will read bedtime stories to children and adult fans for the next 10 weeks. She announced the initiative last Monday through her Imagination Library charity that mails free books to kids around the world.
The stories will be broadcast as part of a video series that’s called “Goodnight with Dolly.” Parton will be reading soothing bedtime stories to children and spreading her love of books far and wide.
Dolly Parton ‘the book lady’ will be reading stories from the Imagination Library for the next couple of months.
In the video announcement of “Goodnight with Dolly,” the icon wears pajamas and films from the comfort of her bed. She says, “Hello, I’m Dolly Parton the book lady from the Imagination Library. I want you to join me April 2 when I start ‘Goodnight with Dolly.’ I’m going to be reading some stories from the Imagination Library.”
The tender video and Parton’s comforting voice are what we all need right now.
While parents are working from 9 to 5 at home, little ones are probably eager for someone else to entertain them for a change.
The initiative hopes to give parents and families respite while they’re self-isolating and practicing at-home learning.
In a press release, Parton describes her intentions, “This is something I have been wanting to do for quite a while, but the timing never felt quite right. I think it is pretty clear that now is the time to share a story and to share some love. It is an honor for me to share the incredible talent of these authors and illustrators. They make us smile, they make us laugh, and they make us think.”
Dolly Parton has been spreading the joy of reading with kids for decades.
Parton started Imagination Library in 1995 with the mission to get children reading before the age of 5-years-old to give them a headstart when they start school. According to the website, the charity has mailed 133,899,247 books to 1,589,820 children!
The press release continues with the Parton’s goal to “focus on comforting and reassuring children during the shelter-in-place mandates.”
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Dolly Parton has picked some great titles to read to your kids.
The programming for “Goodnight with Doll” includes beloved titles like The Little Engine That Could, Llama Llama Red Pajama and two of her own releases, I Am a Rainbow and Coat of Many Colors.
The little ones are going to be captivated by these books and Parton’s grace.
She updated fans in a video and encouraged us all to ‘keep the faith.’
In a recent video, Parton shared her feelings about the tough times we’re going through. She encourages people to “keep the faith” and she further explains that “light” will help snuff out all the darkness of the situation.
“I think God is in this, I really do,” she said in the video. “I think he’s trying to hold us up to the light so we can see ourselves and see each other through the eyes of love. And I hope we learn that lesson. I think that when this passes we’re going to all be better people.”
Parton wants us all to stay positive, saying “I know that I have a positive attitude about it, as negative as it seems to be right now. So just keep the faith, don’t be too scared. It’s going to be alright. God loves us.”
She also thanked the first responders who are risking everything to save lives.
In a more recent video, Parton thanked “the first responders, servicemen and servicewomen, and healthcare professionals all around the world.”
“We just want you to know we’re praying for you,” she continued. “And, we appreciate you more than you can imagine.”
Dolly Parton is such a class act and has worked for decades to give back to communities that need her help most. It’s no surprise that she’s stepping up now to do her part and to help comfort families and specifically children who might be fearful and confused in this moment.