A free book-gifting programme for children in Tallaght under the age of five has been launched by Dolly Parton.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) works with local partners to gift books to young children across the world.
And, beginning February 14, they have made new books available – for free – to all children aged 0-5 living in Dublin 24.
This is the first time that the Imagination Library has been offered in Ireland.
It is being piloted in Tallaght under the coordination of the Childhood Development Initiative (CDI) and with the support of An Post, the Dublin Rotary Club and Shamrock Rovers Football club.
The singer called on parents in Dublin 24 to take advantage of the opportunity and get their children reading.
Launching the project, she said:
“You can never get enough books into the hands of young children. I know there are children in Ireland with their own dreams – the dream of becoming a doctor, an inventor, or a teacher. Who knows, maybe a writer, or singer.
“The seeds of these dreams can often be found in books and the seeds planted in a community can grow across the world.”
The programme has gone live today and parents can register their children via the link button at the CDI website here.
Tallaght based prevention and early intervention organisation CDI is responsible for enrolling children and will use its network to drive and track take up.
An Post has committed to free postage of the books in Dublin 24 for one year.
CDI Chief Executive Marian Quinn encouraged parents to register, adding:
“I am really delighted that the Imagination Library is coming to Ireland. We aim to reach 3,200 children with 21,600 books in Dublin 24 in the first year alone. Our aim is to then scale up to other parts of the country.”
Once they are signed up, the child will receive a free, high-quality book to keep every month until they are five.
The books will be addressed to the child and posted directly to their home. It is available to all children in each household and siblings will get different age-appropriate books.
