Bilingual Books for Delaware Families through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Delaware families enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library can now choose a bilingual English/Spanish book collection for their children.

This program provides free books monthly from birth to age five, fostering a love of reading and early literacy.

Families registering for the Imagination Library can select between:

• English Collection: Primarily English books with occasional bilingual English/Spanish titles.
• Bilingual English/Spanish Collection: All books in bilingual format.

“Every Delaware preschooler is eligible for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, and the bilingual option is a valuable resource for all,” said Dr. Annie Norman, State Librarian for Delaware Libraries. “Being read to at an early age lays the foundation for literacy and lifelong success.”

Both collections are curated by a national panel of early childhood literacy experts, ensuring high-quality selections that inspire a love of reading. Some books will overlap between collections, while others will differ. A full list is available on the Imagination Library website.

Expanding Literacy Access Across Delaware

The Imagination Library was introduced in Delaware through a 2020 pilot program, launched by Governor John Carney and First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney in partnership with the Delaware Division of Libraries. The program initially served families in five school districts before expanding statewide.

Dolly Parton herself visited Delaware in May 2022 to celebrate the program’s success, calling it a privilege to help bring books to children across the state. "It takes visionary leaders to make this possible," said Parton. "I know Delaware families will love receiving a specially selected book each month."

Visit https://lib.de.us/imagination/ to sign your family up today!

A Strong Investment in Delaware’s Future

The Imagination Library is a key initiative of First Chance Delaware, an effort led by First Lady Carney to promote early literacy and parent-child engagement.

“The quantity and quality of early language experience, starting at birth, correlate to academic success and long-term positive outcomes,” said First Lady Carney. “Expanding the Imagination Library in Delaware is a great investment in our families and our future.”

For public libraries statewide, the program serves as a gateway for children and parents to engage with their local libraries, participate in programs, and access library resources.

“It’s never too early to start reading,” emphasized Dr. Norman. “Kids who read succeed!”

Parents have already seen the benefits of the program. “The books have helped tremendously with my son’s vocabulary and self-expression,” said Ashley Durden of Lewes, whose son Quentin has been enrolled for two years.

With full statewide coverage, Delaware families can enroll their children at no cost and receive up to 60 books by age five, setting them on a path to lifelong literacy and learning.