Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Free books for Wandsworth children aged under five, every month until their fifth birthday.
About the Imagination Library
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a free programme that gifts books to children. The programme was started by Dolly Parton in 1995. She was inspired by her father, who couldn’t read or write. The programme’s goal is to help children everywhere love reading.
This project is supported by funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and delivered by Dolly Parton’s charity, The Dollywood Foundation.
How it works
Once your child is registered, they will receive a free high-quality, age-appropriate book addressed to them in the post each month, until their 5th birthday, completely free of charge.
All titles in the Imagination Library are published by Penguin Random House UK and carefully selected by a panel of experts in early childhood development and reading. Each title is allocated to a specific age group, ensuring the books are age appropriate.
This selection is refreshed regularly so families with multiple children will receive new books to enjoy. The frequency and duration of the Imagination Library’s book-gifting is what makes the programme unique and has a wide-ranging impact on communication, school readiness and literacy development.
Eligibility
Any child aged under five living in Wandsworth can register.
If you have more than one child under five, each child may participate.
How to register
You can register using the form on the Imagination Library website.
Soon you will be able to register using a paper form in your local library, family hub, health visitor, and more. Watch this space!
If you have more than one child under five, each child may participate.
After you sign up
After you sign up, books will be sent in the post to your home addressed to your child.
The books are ordered a month in advance. This means there is a delay before your child's first book will arrive.
If you register your child by 1 August 2025, they will receive the first book during September 2025. If you register during August, your child's first book will arrive during October 2025.
If you move or want to cancel
Email imaginationlibrary@wandsworth.gov.uk if you are moving or if you no longer want to receive books. We will then update your child’s information accordingly.
Use of your child's information
We need to collect minimal information to send the books to the child.
We will ask for:
- The child’s date of birth – this means the books they receive are age-appropriate
- The child’s address – so we can post the books directly to them at home
- The child’s name – each book package will be addressed to the child directly, so it feels more personal and exciting when it arrives each month
If you have any queries about how the child’s data is processed, please view the Imagination Library privacy policy.
Contact
If you have any questions, email imaginationlibrary@wandsworth.gov.uk