Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Free Books for Kids From Birth to Age Five
FREE books for kids from birth
to five years old!
United Way of Sandusky County is proud to partner with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and Imagination Library Ohio to provide engaging, high-quality, age-appropriate books to Sandusky County children from birth to age five.
How does it work?
Enroll Your Child
A parent or guardian signs up their child for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
Books Arrive By Mail
Each month, a new, carefully selected book is mailed directly to your child in their name.
Keep Reading Until Age Five
Children continue receiving free books every month until they turn five years old, with the first book usually arriving in about 6–9 weeks.
How do I enroll my child?
Signing up your child for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is easy! You can download the registration form and mail it to United Way of Sandusky County.
You can also complete your registration online directly through The Imagination Library website.
Why is reading important at this age?
According to the Dollywood Foundation, shared reading supports cognitive development, strengthens language skills, develops bonds with caregivers, and increases concentration and discipline.
- Reading aloud to children, starting at birth, helps build brain connections during the first 5 years of their life. This is when 90% of brain development occurs.
- The number of words a child knows when they start kindergarten is a predictor of future success in school and life.
- More than 1 in 3 American children start kindergarten without the skills needed to learn to read.
- Reading aloud helps children associate books with people they love, motivating them to read more.
- Reading, talking, singing, and playing improves language, literacy, social, and emotional skills.
- Reading ability lowers the risk of poverty and increases opportunities in life.
Sponsor a child!
Interested in supporting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Sandusky County?
It takes approximately $2.20 to purchase and mail each book. United Way covers half the cost, and the other half is covered by matching funds from the State of Ohio.
Currently, over 1,800 children are enrolled in Sandusky County.
A gift of only $25 sponsors a child for a year in the program. ($125 for five years).
Donate