Dolly Parton’s Billy the Kid Makes It Big will be available in April 2023
Dolly Parton will publish a new picture book about her god-dog, Billy the Kid. Penguin Workshop, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers, will release Dolly Parton’s Billy the Kid Makes it Big on April 25, 2023. Co-penned by Erica S. Perl with illustrations by MacKenzie Haley, the book tells the story of Billy the Kid, a dog who loves barking to the beat of country music and sets out to make it big as a country music star in Nashville. But when he encounters some bullies at the Battle of the Bow-wows, he must call on his favorite songs, and the help of some new friends, to regain his self-confidence and be the star he always knew he could be.
“I am so proud to bring this book and the message it conveys to life,” Dolly shares. “Years back I wrote a song ‘Makin’ Fun Ain’t Funny’ for my children’s album, ‘I Believe In You.’ I wanted kids to understand how harmful bullying can be to someone. When I launched the Doggy Parton line of pet products earlier this year, my god-dog Billy got to be the star of the show. Since he’s a big star now, I knew a story with him at the center could help drive home important messages in a unique way. I hope this is the first of many books with Billy.”
To bring Billy’s story to life, Parton teamed up with Mackenzie Haley, an illustrator from Louisville, Kentucky, whose books include The Ninja Club Sleepover, Pegasisters Go to Camp, and Snitchy Witch, among others. Parton’s previous children’s books include Coat Of Many Colors and I Am A Rainbow.
The country legend and newly inducted Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member recently joined TikTok to share her one-of-a-kind sparkle and “Dollyisms,” straight from the heart. With over five billion video views on the hashtag #Dolly, the massive community of Dolly fans on TikTok have been eagerly awaiting her arrival on the platform, and in true Dolly fashion, she made a magically grand entrance with her beloved personality, unparalleled wit and legendary moments.
TikTok’s community embraced Parton and her peerless catalog even before her personal presence on the platform. #DollyTok is a subcommunity whose daily postings celebrate Parton’s record-breaking music, award-winning movies and larger-than-life personality. Hashtags #Dolly, #DollyParton, and #Dollytok have 6.4 billion video views combined and counting. Creators turn to her smash hit songs, including “9 to 5” with 15K video creations when they want to pour a cup of ambition, “Jolene” with 28K video creations or to “Islands In The Stream” with over 20K video creations, her chart-topping duet with the late, great Kenny Rogers, when celebrating or searching for their one and only.
On December 1st, her NBC special, Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas, garnered monumental ratings with six million viewers tuning in to see its premiere.
