Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of London is a community book-gifting program devoted to inspiring a love of reading in young children. Our mission is to instill a promote early literacy, increase school readiness, and increase parental engagement and bonding. Registered children, ages 0 to 5 years old, are mailed a high-quality, age-appropriate book monthly - free of charge to the family. 80% of the books chosen by the Blue Ribbons Selections committee are Canadian publications reflecting our culture and heritage. According to early childhood research, reading to children and access to books in the home contribute significantly to the 90% of critical brain growth and language development by age 5.
As of October 2025 , we served 856 London children plus 108 children who graduated from the program and said goodbye to 15 children who transferred to other Imagination Library affiliates when they moved out of London. In our two years in London, we have gifted 10,638 books .
Imagination Library is a monthly celebration of reading, in which children are excited to receive their book in the mail. Their name is on the address label and it is a book they can keep forever. They and their parents can return to re-read it 50 times if they wish because it is “theirs”. Providing books for children, books they “own”, supports a child’s language and learning during those critical years in which 90% of a child’s brain development occurs. Family reading routines also support parent -child bonding as they snuggle up together after even the most difficult day. We recommend that parents keep books in the car, take them to restaurants and have them ever-present during their child’s day. The Canadian Paediatric Association recommends to parents that reading daily to children from birth affects their language understanding, as well as supports their growing attention span, as opposed to screens which are not recommended. When our youngest children are supported in learning, the child, the family and the whole community benefits. They develop the attention span and vocabulary needed to learn in school.
We provide age- appropriate books for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. If a child is registered at birth, they will receive a library of 60 books by graduation on their fifth birthday. The literature we provide reflects who we are as Canadians – from the Anne of Green Gables counting books to Carson Across Canada. Selections represent the many faces and cultures of Canada, including Indigenous/ Metis/Inuit dual language selections.
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Our littles love receiving their books every month! It’s helping us grow our little home library for many years to come.
This program is incredible. My daughter is an avid reader and we are always so excited when her new book comes in the mail. We are so thankful
Our son is an avid reader and LOVES when his new Dolly Parton book comes in the mail. What a wonderful program this is!
Thank you to Josh Fentin, McFarlan Rowland Insurance Brokers for his support:
“The Imagination Library does great work to help provide literacy services for members of the community and we believe that your support will allow them to continue their efforts. I also believe that their values align with those of The Commonwell and providing them with the requested grant would align with your stated mission and vision.”
My daughter is so excited every month when her new book arrives. She would never have this joy without Dolly Parton and her awesome book program.