Nearly 140,000 Children in Missouri Under 5 Receive Free Books Monthly

When the new month arrives, 4-year-old Ada Caldwell eagerly heads to the mailbox to discover the latest addition to her book collection.

“She eagerly anticipates checking the mail,” mentioned Tara Caldwell, Ada’s mother. “With the decline in physical mail, it’s a special moment for her.”

Ada’s residence in mid-Missouri receives complimentary books from the Imagination Library, an initiative initiated by singer Dolly Parton in 1995 to supply books to children under 5, irrespective of their family’s income, aiming to promote early literacy.

As of 2016, the Imagination Library dispatched one million books monthly globally. In November, Missouri committed to supporting the program, aiming to introduce books to kids in all 114 counties. By late June, 137,434 Missouri children, including Ada, were enrolled, with 751,730 books distributed.

According to Mallory McGowin from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, children registered at birth who stay in the program for five years could accumulate over 60 books in their personal library.

Origins of the Initiative

In 1995, Dolly Parton inaugurated the Imagination Library, initially providing books to children in Sevier County, Tennessee, her hometown. She founded the program in honor of her illiterate father.

“Children can’t have enough books,” said Dolly Parton on her website.

Following the program’s success, nationwide expansion began in 2000, reaching one million books sent across the U.S. by 2003.

The Imagination Library eventually extended its reach to Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland, offering a monthly surprise to children worldwide.

Today, this initiative sends over two million free books monthly to children globally, exceeding 238 million books shipped as of April.

Operational Mechanics

The Imagination Library of Missouri has children enrolled from every county. 23 counties have over 50% of eligible children registered, as outlined by McGowin.

Tara Caldwell, mother to Ada and 10-month-old Hazel, enrolled her daughters in the program on the initial day of its Missouri-wide launch on Nov. 8.

Each book received by participating children is tailored to their age, personalized with their name, and delivered free of charge.

Ada’s first book was “The Little Engine That Could,” a customary favorite and initial gift from the program.

Tara noticed the specialized age-appropriate selections her daughters received, including seasonal books.

Ada got books on gardening, bees, and school-start anxiety, her preferred choice being “Cinderella with Dogs,” a whimsical take on the classic tale.

Hazel’s book collection aimed at toddlers features “A Very Hungry Caterpillar’s First Summer” and multiple Eric Carle books.

Tara opts to maintain the surprise of the books for her daughters, avoiding previewing the online book list.

Selection Process and Implementation

The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education manages the funding for the program, with no cost incurred by schools or families, according to McGowin.

The Dollywood Foundation handles book selection and production, with Missouri covering the expenses related to book distribution to enrolled children’s homes.

The Blue Ribbon Book Selection Committee, comprising early childhood literacy experts, annually reviews numerous titles for inclusion in the Imagination Library.

The committee focuses on selecting books catering to children’s needs from birth to age 5.

Encouraging parents to engage in active reading with their children, emphasizing interaction, letter recognition, and sound association, enhances the child’s literacy skills.

Rock Bridge High School Reading Specialist Daryl Moss stresses the importance of building reading interest and vocabulary rather than just teaching kids to read.

With evolving educational approaches, creating a print-rich environment and fostering a love for reading contribute significantly to a child’s literacy journey.

This content was adapted from the original Columbia Missourian article.