Dolly Parton's Imagination Library making news around the world

From Grand Rapids, to Juneau, Canada to the United Kingdom, folks are talking about Dolly Parton and her Imagination Library!

Often times we focus on one particular story and blog about it and we tend to do that as quickly as the stories come in. That said, in recent weeks we have seen an enormous influx of exciting and uplifting news coming in from all corners. So for this post we thought it best to give you a list of links to some of the most recent articles by location. 

In a recent Facebook post & Tweet, we told you about the most incredible "Peter Rabbit" cake crafted for a recent program launch in the United Kingdom and thought it would be fun to share this additional image. Even the book and its pages are edible, all made of sugar. 

 

1. Grand Rapids, MI, USA: Local cooks are invited to take their favorite children’s book title, turn it into a yummy recipe and help give young children the gift of reading.
2. Juneau, Alaska, USA: Juneau’s kindergarten readiness scores in reading are booming. So much so the city is now above the state average, instead of lagging behind as it has for many years.
3. Wood Buffalo, CA: Dolly Parton's Imagination Library set for Fort McMurray launch April 1st, 2012
4. Nottingham, United Kingdom: Nottingham launches Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to promote reading and love of books from birth. 

Happy reading everyone and remember Dolly Parton's Imagination Library wants you to Dream More, Learn More, Care More and Be More!

Dotson's efforts to expand Imagination Library land him in Australia

Today is a day off-although I never stop thinking about how Dolly Parton's Imagination Library will or won't work here.

Headed to the end of the earth -southwestern Australia --the Margaret River area is just beautiful. Although no kangaroo has introduced himself to me, I did hear a kookaburra. The bird sounds like a maniacal monkey!

Next stop today is a lighthouse that sits at the meeting of the Indian and Southern oceans- a great place to contemplate the mystery of the universe. Tomorrow are meetings in Perth and then fly back to Sydney.

Next year is the National Year of Reading in Australia so if we do move forward- then this would be a perfect time to do it!

David Dotson

President - The Dollywood Foundation

Power of the Purse powers along to 5th year

story and photos by Joel Rafkin
jrafkin@thecitywire.com
About 300 people opened their purses to support children's literacy at the fifth annual Power of the Purse event held Thursday at the Holiday Inn City Center.
Tables lined with themed handbag collections surrounded the perimeter of the room in a silent auction and luncheon event to benefit Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Each bag was filled with other goods that matched the theme. For example: A woven straw bag titled "Beach Bound" also contained a towel, sunscreen and other items for a day at the beach. A few items on the auction block were standalone — not associated with a purse or bag — but the bulk of the 43 purchased or donated items were "purse-centric."

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