#earlyliteracy — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #earlyliteracy, aggregated by home.social.
-
Smart Start and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Bring Free Books to North Carolina Children
North Carolina families can help their youngest children develop a love of reading through a partnership between Smart Start and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
The statewide early-literacy initiative mails free, age-appropriate books directly to the homes of registered children from birth until their fifth birthday. There is no cost to participating families, regardless of household income.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkv6S4qYPxY&t=1s
More Than 25 Million Books Delivered Across North Carolina
North Carolina began expanding Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library statewide in 2017. State lawmakers initially allocated $3.5 million for the program’s first year and $7 million for its second year, allowing Smart Start to administer the initiative through its network of local partnerships.
Continued state and community support helped the program reach families throughout North Carolina. According to Smart Start’s latest annual report, more than 25 million books had been delivered to children across the state by June 2025.
That milestone represents millions of opportunities for parents and caregivers to read with their children, build stronger family bonds and prepare young learners for kindergarten.
How Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Works
Once enrolled, participating children receive a new book in the mail each month. Titles are selected by early-childhood and literacy experts to match each child’s age and developmental stage.
The program:
- Serves eligible children from birth through age five
- Mails books directly to each child’s home
- Provides books at no cost to families
- Does not use household income to determine eligibility
- Offers age-appropriate titles designed to encourage early learning
Children may receive as many as 60 books if they are registered shortly after birth and remain enrolled until their fifth birthday.
Why Early Access to Books Matters
Reading aloud during a child’s earliest years supports vocabulary development, listening skills, language comprehension and school readiness. It can also help children associate books with positive time spent alongside parents and caregivers.
For families who cannot regularly purchase new books or easily visit a public library, receiving a book in the mail each month can help create a home library and make reading part of the household routine.
The program is particularly valuable because it places books directly into children’s hands without requiring families to travel to a distribution site.
How North Carolina Families Can Register
Parents and guardians can visit the Smart Start Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library page to check eligibility and begin the registration process.
Families can also use the Imagination Library availability tool to enter their ZIP code and locate the program serving their community.
Availability and new registrations may depend on funding and enrollment capacity in each county. Families who encounter a waiting list should contact their local Smart Start partnership for the latest information.
Building North Carolina’s Next Generation of Readers
The collaboration between Smart Start and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library demonstrates how public investment, nonprofit organizations and local communities can work together to support early childhood development.
With more than 25 million books delivered—and many more expected—the program continues to help North Carolina children begin their educational journeys with books of their own.
Follow DoRaleigh.com for more family resources, education news and community programs from Raleigh and across North Carolina.
Connect With Us: Instagram | Facebook | BSky | Linkedin
Share With Us: Post your community News, Events, on our Submissions Page.
Advertise With Us: Interested in Advertising click here.Published by Bryan Tomlinson | BTDesigns.pro |
#ChildrenSBooks #DollyPartonSImaginationLibrary #EarlyChildhoodEducation #EarlyLiteracy #FreeBooksForChildren #KindergartenReadiness #News #NorthCarolinaFamilies #NorthCarolinaNews #ParentingResources #RaleighFamilies #SmartStartNorthCarolina #WakeCountyFamilies -
Smart Start and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Bring Free Books to North Carolina Children
North Carolina families can help their youngest children develop a love of reading through a partnership between Smart Start and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
The statewide early-literacy initiative mails free, age-appropriate books directly to the homes of registered children from birth until their fifth birthday. There is no cost to participating families, regardless of household income.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkv6S4qYPxY&t=1s
More Than 25 Million Books Delivered Across North Carolina
North Carolina began expanding Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library statewide in 2017. State lawmakers initially allocated $3.5 million for the program’s first year and $7 million for its second year, allowing Smart Start to administer the initiative through its network of local partnerships.
Continued state and community support helped the program reach families throughout North Carolina. According to Smart Start’s latest annual report, more than 25 million books had been delivered to children across the state by June 2025.
That milestone represents millions of opportunities for parents and caregivers to read with their children, build stronger family bonds and prepare young learners for kindergarten.
How Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Works
Once enrolled, participating children receive a new book in the mail each month. Titles are selected by early-childhood and literacy experts to match each child’s age and developmental stage.
The program:
- Serves eligible children from birth through age five
- Mails books directly to each child’s home
- Provides books at no cost to families
- Does not use household income to determine eligibility
- Offers age-appropriate titles designed to encourage early learning
Children may receive as many as 60 books if they are registered shortly after birth and remain enrolled until their fifth birthday.
Why Early Access to Books Matters
Reading aloud during a child’s earliest years supports vocabulary development, listening skills, language comprehension and school readiness. It can also help children associate books with positive time spent alongside parents and caregivers.
For families who cannot regularly purchase new books or easily visit a public library, receiving a book in the mail each month can help create a home library and make reading part of the household routine.
The program is particularly valuable because it places books directly into children’s hands without requiring families to travel to a distribution site.
How North Carolina Families Can Register
Parents and guardians can visit the Smart Start Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library page to check eligibility and begin the registration process.
Families can also use the Imagination Library availability tool to enter their ZIP code and locate the program serving their community.
Availability and new registrations may depend on funding and enrollment capacity in each county. Families who encounter a waiting list should contact their local Smart Start partnership for the latest information.
Building North Carolina’s Next Generation of Readers
The collaboration between Smart Start and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library demonstrates how public investment, nonprofit organizations and local communities can work together to support early childhood development.
With more than 25 million books delivered—and many more expected—the program continues to help North Carolina children begin their educational journeys with books of their own.
Follow DoRaleigh.com for more family resources, education news and community programs from Raleigh and across North Carolina.
Connect With Us: Instagram | Facebook | BSky | Linkedin
Share With Us: Post your community News, Events, on our Submissions Page.
Advertise With Us: Interested in Advertising click here.Published by Bryan Tomlinson | BTDesigns.pro |
#ChildrenSBooks #DollyPartonSImaginationLibrary #EarlyChildhoodEducation #EarlyLiteracy #FreeBooksForChildren #KindergartenReadiness #News #NorthCarolinaFamilies #NorthCarolinaNews #ParentingResources #RaleighFamilies #SmartStartNorthCarolina #WakeCountyFamilies -
Reading to Young Children Boosts Social Skills, Study Finds
New study shows reading to kids, even without questions, helps their empathy and creativity. Learn how reading helps children's social growth.
#EarlyLiteracy, #ChildDevelopment, #ReadingBenefits, #SocialSkills, #ParentingTips
-
A new study found that reading stories to young children helps them develop important social skills like empathy and creativity. This is true even if parents read the story straight through without stopping to ask questions.
#EarlyLiteracy, #ChildDevelopment, #ReadingBenefits, #SocialSkills, #ParentingTips
-
📖✨ Book Review Time! ✨📖
"Pete! Get in Bed!" is a hilarious hit for young readers. 🐷😂
🌟 MBPO says, "My 5-year-old was laughing as we read this. I think he found the subject matter relatable. I certainly did too 😊." This phonics reader is not only educational but also brings a lot of giggles!
👶📚 Perfect for beginner readers and a fun way to introduce bedtime routines with humor and charm.
#BookReview #PhonicsReaders #BedtimeStories #EarlyLiteracy #WhenMomIsHappy #wmhreading
-
📖✨ Book Review Time! ✨📖
"Pete! Get in Bed!" is a fantastic read for young learners. 🐷💤
🌟 Vivian Thiele says, "Fun story for new readers!" This phonics reader is perfect for children just starting their reading journey, with its simple words and charming illustrations.
👶📚 Ideal for beginner readers and a wonderful way to introduce the importance of bedtime in a fun and engaging manner.
#BookReview #KidsBooks #PhonicsReaders #BedtimeStories #EarlyLiteracy #WhenMomIsHappy
-
My almost-year-old baby isn’t yet in daycare, but most of the (mostly slightly older) kids in her weekly music class are, so I’ve gotten to see the clash of norms that results when only some kids are familiar with rituals like sitting in a circle. (She likes to crawl around in the middle of the circle.)
Last week, the teacher read the book Barnyard Dance and my kiddo crawled up to help her turn the pages ❤️
-
My almost-year-old baby isn’t yet in daycare, but most of the (mostly slightly older) kids in her weekly music class are, so I’ve gotten to see the clash of norms that results when only some kids are familiar with rituals like sitting in a circle. (She likes to crawl around in the middle of the circle.)
Last week, the teacher read the book Barnyard Dance and my kiddo crawled up to help her turn the pages ❤️
-
Day 2: we read a Christmas book, baked some "magic peanut butter cookies" - those are the ones without any flour, just PB, sugar and egg, prepared for his nativity play and built a kiwico planetarium. We've been so busy with the bookwork that he has 4 kits, both kiwico and crunchlabs, to build over break.
#homeschooling #winter #break #christmas #baking #stem #kiwico #earlyliteracy -
@MrEFinch
I followed you on the bird app , rarely put my head above the parapet though. Too many big hitters who liked to shout others down . This is far friendlier . #EduTooter #EYFS #Phonics #EarlyLiteracy #EarlyMaths #Subitising
