Camden Council has officially launched Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library – an initiative providing young children across the borough with a free, high-quality book delivered straight to their door every month from birth to age five.
The launch marks an exciting step in Camden’s mission to put the joy of reading at the heart of every home. By making books accessible, playful and part of everyday life, the initiative aims to inspire a lifelong love of stories in even the youngest readers and make sure every child has the chance to grow up surrounded by imagination.
Councillor Sabrina Francis, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Young People and Culture, said: “More than 1,600 children have already signed up to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Camden, and that enthusiasm shows just how much families value access to great books. At a time when reading for pleasure is at its lowest on record, initiatives like this are vital – especially for families who might find it harder to buy books or visit libraries regularly. This is a step towards making sure every child has the chance to grow up with stories, imagination and the foundations for future learning.”
Dolly Parton, founder of The Dollywood Foundation UK, said: “Together we can gift the love of reading that will last a lifetime”.
The launch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Camden has been made possible thanks to players of the People’s Postcode Lottery. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library provides age appropriate, carefully selected books that support speech, language and emotional development. By delivering books directly to homes each month, it removes barriers such as cost and access and encourages families to read together from the earliest stages of a child’s life.
Research shows that reading for pleasure from a young age can support literacy, wellbeing, empathy and confidence, yet the number of children who enjoy reading daily is at an all‑time low.
Camden’s Reading Together strategy is working to change this trend locally, and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is forming a key part of that effort by putting high‑quality books directly into homes and helping rebuild a strong culture of reading no matter the child’s background. Other initiatives developed through the strategy include the new ‘Share and Read with Baby’ packs. These provide new parents with their baby’s first Camden Libraries card and introduce families to the borough’s library services and support from the very start of their child’s life.
Hazeerah, a local parent from Camden, said: “I heard about the scheme and got really excited. I love the idea of letting kids access as many books as possible. My children have enjoyed reading together and it’s been fun seeing the different kinds of stories that arrive.”
Kayleigh, a parent based in Camden, said: “We’ve received our first book, and I am so impressed with the quality and choice. It’s great as my eldest daughter has been reading the book to her little sister.”
This project is supported by funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and delivered by Dolly Parton’s charity, The Dollywood Foundation. Penguin Random House Children’s is the UK publishing partner of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, Laura Chow, said: “Every child deserves the chance to discover the joy of books, and this initiative helps remove barriers so families can read, learn and imagine together from the start of a child’s life. It’s great to see Camden placing reading at the heart of early childhood, and we’re delighted that funding raised by our players is helping put thousands of high‑quality books directly into the hands of local children. The impact of a love of reading lasts a lifetime, and we’re excited to be part of that journey for families across the borough.”
Francesca Dow, MD Penguin Random House Children’s said: “We are very proud to be the exclusive UK publishing partner of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library since the initiative came to the UK in 2007. Our mission – to ensure the accessibility of books and promote a love of reading from the earliest age – is perfectly aligned with the ambitions of the Imagination Library. Over 7 million copies of our Puffin and Ladybird books have already reached children aged 0-5 and that’s a brilliant milestone that deserves celebration, particularly in this National Year of Reading and in Dolly’s special 80th birthday year as well!”
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is open to children who live in Camden and is free for families to join. Parents and carers can ask for more information at their local library or sign up at the website: www.camden.gov.uk/imagination-library
