Imagination Library Marks 20-Million Books for Kids

Courtesy KSFX Monday, Jun 1, 2009 @06:58am CST Please Select a Bandwidth High | Med | Low (Branson, MO) --  Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede in Branson entertains and educates. John Richardson with Dixie Stampede joins us this morning to share more about the Imagination Library. Jessica Williams - What is the Imagination Library? John Richardson - Dolly wanted to give back to her community and wanted to make sure all her businesses gave back as well.  So we provide, for all the children in Stone and Taney Counties, and that's every child, receives a free book, by mail, every month from birth to age 5. Jessica - What kind of books do you provide? John - They're good quality, hardcover books. Dolly's favorite is The Little Engine that Could, which is very representative of her career. She feels like if she can have success, anyone can.  Then when they reach age 5, the last book is Kindergarten, Here I Come.  It's a story about a child who has come of age.  They'll have a feeling of ownership, they'll have their own library of 60 books.  And every child in the family will get their own books so they don't have to share with brothers and sisters.  It's not exclusive to any income category. Jessica - What are the different books you'll give kids? John - There's a whole series.  They are all age-specific.  There is a blue-ribbon of educators who actually pick the books.  Dolly inputs as well, she's very hands-on.  And we pay for it, through our success at Dixie Stampede. Locally, during 2008 more than 25,000 books were mailed to kids in Stone and Taney Counties. Jessica - Tell me about the milestone they are reaching in June?' John - The Imagination Library nationwide and in Canada and the U.K., will deliver their 20-millionth book this month.  It's a program that has been existence for 15 years. Jessica - Why do you feel it's important to take part in this program? John - I think all the research shows that if you help a child read at a pre-school level, you change their entire life.  It does great things for them throughout their life. It's a way of giving back to your community at a basic level.  You help children, you help parents.  They grow up happier with a love of reading. Jessica - Do you hear good feedback from the community? John - Very good.  It's all good news.  In Branson, at Dixie Stampede, we work very hard to make sure that we endear the local community.  Ultimately we want those restaurant personnel and hotel front desk people to tell folks to see our show.  And their children are the ones receiving the books. Source: http://ozarksfirst.com/content/fulltext/?cid=153802 << Back http://MissouriNetizen.com http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.missourinetizen.com