Tributes to Dolly Parton echoed after impact on Wirral children
Tributes to music legend Dolly Parton that have flooded in from across the world have been echoed in Wirral as thousands of local children have received free books from her Imagination Library.
The council joined Dolly’s Imagination Library in 2021 to help children start school with stronger language and reading skills, as well as inspire a love of reading and strengthen parent-child bonding.
The programme is available in five Wirral wards - Bidston & St James, Birkenhead & Tranmere, Leasowe & Moreton East, Rock Ferry and Seacombe. It supports communities where it can make the biggest difference to children's early language, communication and reading skills.
There are currently 2455 children signed up to the programme, which is delivered by Wirral Council’s Family Hubs, Foundation Years Trust and Koala North West.
The impact of Dolly’s Imagination Library in Wirral has been significant. The average cost of each book was £2.16 per book, saving families thousands of pounds.
Recent feedback from parents found that:
- 94% of children are trying to communicate more.
- 94% of parents are more confident in supporting their children’s communication & language development.
- 86% of children are accessing more resources and activities since receiving the books.
- 73% of parents read books to their child daily.
Meanwhile, three out of four primary schools in the Rock Ferry and Birkenhead & Tranmere wards saw an increased number of children reaching Good Levels of Development in 2024 compared to 2019.
Dolly Parton was a true global icon who not only had an impact on the world because of her music but her philanthropy.
She had – and will continue to have – a wonderful effect in Wirral. Dolly’s generosity has ensured thousands of children in Wirral have had a better start in life, with the Imagination Library leading to a major increase in reading.
Through her music and the Imagination Library, Dolly has touched the lives of so many across the borough.
Since her passing, several families across Wirral have kindly made donations to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
Children who are registered with the project also have the opportunity to enrol with Wirral Council Library Services to increase opportunity and access to a range of reading and educational resources.
One parent whose children signed up to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library said: “The programme is brilliant! My twins love the books, it’s really nice they get one each as well, as they love to fight over books, but they don’t have to when we are reading Dolly books.”
Another said: “We love getting the books as it’s something new and different to read each month and can’t always afford to buy new books. We read most of them at least once a day as my little one loves to be read books and goes through multiple books at a time! Thank you.”
A third parent added: “We appreciate the gifts of storytelling and interesting books my child has been receiving from you. She loves them and even guards them as she knows they belong to her. Please keep sending more. They are very helpful and useful to her.”
For more information about the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and to see if child is eligible to sign-up, click here.
Residents can also find out more about their nearest Family Hub and the range of services provided.
