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Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio
The World’s Largest Study of Shared Book Reading Reaffirms: Early Literacy Begins at Birth.
New research across five countries shows Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library significantly strengthens children’s early literacy skills and family reading habits.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has gifted millions of books to children from birth to age five. Now, a groundbreaking international study—the largest dataset ever collected on shared book reading—reaffirms the program’s powerful impact.
Led by researcher Dr. Claire Galea, the study surveyed more than 86,000 caregivers across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia. Families were followed for twelve months and compared with caregivers whose children had not yet received books.
The results are clear: Just 10 books can spark measurable gains in early literacy, vocabulary, and family reading routines—and the greatest impact appears in communities facing the highest barriers.
1. Closes Literacy Gaps
In all countries, the program was found to have significant impact helping to prevent early literacy gaps that often persist through school.
Research found that after just 10 books, children in the program were at least 4x more likely to demonstrate stronger emerging literacy skills—such as vocabulary and phonological awareness—compared to children not in the program.
2. Strengthens Home Literacy Environments
In all countries, children in the program were read to significantly more often than children not in the program.
Children enrolled were 9x more likely to be read to 4 or more days per week compared to children not in the program.
3. Inspires Reading Globally
In all countries, children in the program were significantly more likely to enjoy books and engage in meaningful reading interactions.
Children in the program were 9x more likely to be interested in books and 15x more likely to join in during shared book reading compared to children not in the program.
4. Builds Positive Family Reading Habits
In all countries, the Imagination Library was found to significantly encourage family reading and build traditions around reading.
Caregivers around the world in the program were 6x more likely to count images, 7x more likely to describe images and 4x more likely to let the child hold the book compared to caregivers not in the program.
“By the time a child reaches age three, almost 80% of brain growth has occurred. If we enroll a child as a newborn verses one year, that is 1/3 of the time of critical development that we’re capturing. ”