Parton will read children’s books at bedtime on the Imagination Library official social channels
Dollywood and Abramorama in association with The Dollywood Foundation have announced that beginning on Thursday, April 2nd at 7 pm EDT, Dolly Parton will be reading a children’s book for bedtime in a series entitled “Goodnight with Dolly.” Additionally, the documentary about her Imagination Library The Library That Dolly Built will open nationally the week of September 21st to commemorate the Library’s 25th anniversary. Since inception in 1995, the Imagination Library has gifted more than 135 million books to children and is currently gifting books to 1.5 million children around the world each month.
“This is something I have been wanting to do for quite a while, but the timing never felt quite right,” Parton shares. “I think it is pretty clear that now is the time to share a story and to share some love. It is an honor for me to share the incredible talent of these authors and illustrators. They make us smile, they make us laugh and they make us think.”
“Goodnight with Dolly” will feature the country superstar reading a series of Imagination Library books all carefully chosen for their appropriate content at this moment in time. Parton welcomes the viewers and introduces the title, author and illustrator. Snuggled in bed with her Imagination Library book, Parton shares stories that are just right for this moment in time. The readings will be a mixture of Parton and the interior pages of the books. The books will include “There’s a Hole in the Log on the Bottom of the Lake” by Loren Long, “Llama Llama Red Pajama” by Anna Dewdney, “I Am a Rainbow” by Dolly Parton, “Pass It On” by Sophy Henn, “Stand Tall Molly Lou Mellon” by Patty Lovell, “Violet the Pilot” by Steve Breen, “Max & The Tag-Along Moon” by Floyd Cooper, “Last Stop on Market Street” by Matt de la Peña, “Coat of Many Colors” by Parton, and of course, “The Little Engine That Could” by Watty Piper.
Once a week for ten weeks at 7 pm EDT, The Book Lady will deliver her story with the program available across the Imagination Library, Dolly Parton, World Choice Investments, and Dollywood channels. The read alongs will be a personal gift from Parton to all families. Free of charge but not free from obligation as the message will be to pass on the love and keep hope alive because we are all Together, You and I.
Parton and Abramorama had set to release The Library That Dolly Built to 330 theaters nationwide on April 2nd, but pushed it back due to the coronavirus pandemic. The film is directed by Nick Geidner and highlights Parton’s library.
“Although it was the right thing to do, postponing the screening of our documentary was a disappointment,” Parton says of the film’s postponement. “So many of our Imagination Library affiliates had organized events around the nationwide screenings, however, things do have a way of working out so the documentary will still have its day.”
On April 12th, Parton will be the subject of a two hour A&E documentary, Goodnight with Dolly, tracing her extraordinary journey from her childhood spent in poverty and early days in Nashville to her multiple hit songs and recent 50th anniversary celebration at The Grand Ole Opry. The TV special features interviews from Parton herself, Lily Tomlin, Chris Stapleton, Jane Fonda, Kylie Minogue and other friends and fellow musicians as they reflect on one of music’s most beloved stars.
