One Book a Month Builds a Lifetime of Learning.

United Way of Grays Harbor
Jun 10
2 min read

A Book with Their Name. A Future with Their Story. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is changing what’s possible—one book at a time. Every month, something small but powerful happens: A child runs to the mailbox, sees their name on an envelope, and pulls out a brand-new book, just for them.

That’s the magic of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program that mails one carefully selected, high-quality book each month to children from birth to age five. These books build more than home libraries—they build confidence, curiosity, and the foundation for lifelong learning. Thanks to local support, families receive books at no cost. At United Way Grays Harbor, we work year-round to fund this program locally so that every child in Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties can be part of it.

Whether it’s their very first board book or their 60th delivery, each one helps a child build critical early skills—boosting brain development, strengthening parent-child connection, and preparing them for school success.

These books don’t just arrive in the mail. They open doors, build confidence, and help kids arrive at kindergarten ready to learn.

Why does it matter? - Children with books in the home are three times more likely to read at grade level by third grade. - Daily reading can place a child nearly a year ahead of peers by kindergarten. - Just 15 minutes of reading a day exposes children to over 1 million words a year, boosting language, imagination, and lifelong outcomes. Together, we’re creating a community where every child grows up with the tools to thrive in school and in life. Want to help? A gift of $31 sponsors one child’s books for an entire year. That’s 12 books. 12 sparks of joy. 12 steps toward success.