Around 5,500 children have joined Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) across London since the singer’s death, as interest in the free book-gifting scheme has surged.
This comes amid the expansion of the scheme across seven boroughs as thousands of children across London are set to receive free books every month.
The programme, which sends one free, age-appropriate book each month to children from birth until their fifth birthday, is now available in Wandsworth, Camden, Hackney, Greenwich, Lewisham, Newham and Barking and Dagenham.
Helen Hastle, project manager for the London expansion, said Dolly wanted the scheme to be universal, regardless of family income or background.
“We find children from all communities register,” she said, adding community engagement officers work with groups where registration levels are lower.
The scheme was already operational in Southwark, Lambeth and the City of London borough.
The singer, who died at the age of 80 last month, set up the library in tribute to her father, who could not read or write.
For families already using the programme, the monthly delivery has become part of their children’s lives.
Harieth Sedrick-Ugo, 34, an early years educator from Southwark, first heard about the scheme while she was pregnant.
After a midwife told her about the programme, she registered immediately.
Her daughter Sienna, now four, received her first book during her first month of life.
“Now that she is a bit older, she knows it comes in the mail and she opens it herself,” Harieth said.
“She looks for it, she knows what it is and she can’t wait to open it and read it.”
The element of surprise is also part of the appeal, as neither mother nor daughter knows which book will arrive each month.
Harieth estimated that Sienna has received about 45 books so far, creating what she describes as a small family library.
By the time she turns five, she expects the collection to be about 60 books.
“It’s really beneficial, as, if I am not buying books for her then that money can go towards other activities,” she said.
Sienna’s favourites include Shark in the Park by Nick Sharratt and Flora and Nora Hunt for Treasure by Kim Hillyard.
DPIL has operated in the London Borough of Southwark since 2016 and around 9,000 children are registered.
In Barking and Dagenham, 257 children had registered since the scheme launched in the borough on 14 September.
Councillor Jane Jones, cabinet member for children’s social care, education & schools, welcomed the expansion in Barking and Dagenham and said it would give families greater opportunities to enjoy books together.
“Every child deserves the best start in life, and access to books from an early age helps spark imagination, build confidence and create a lifelong love of reading,” she added.
However, the council said no books had yet been distributed because the ordering process can take up to six weeks from the time an order is processed.
The Imagination Library said its books are selected by a panel of experts and published by Penguin Random House, with an emphasis on reflecting the diverse experiences of young children.
Steve Korris, executive director at The Dollywood Foundation UK, said the programme has supported around 65,000 children across London over the past decade, with about 35,000 children currently receiving a monthly book.
With the expansion, more than 100,000 children are now eligible.
DPIL was launched in the UK in December 2007, when Parton visited South Yorkshire to officially introduce the book-gifting scheme to Europe.
Korris added that currently 35,000 children receive a monthly book.
“The new funds from the postcode lottery will fund an additional 2million books,” he said.
For Harieth, the value goes beyond the books themselves.
“Even if you are thinking of or already are buying books or taking your child to libraries, do sign up,” she said.
“Then your child will have double the amount of books and you can spend more time as a family together reading.”
Families can register through the Imagination Library UK website by checking availability using their postcode.
Featured image credit: Harieth Sedrick-Ugo
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