Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Launches In Tulsa

Kids in Tulsa County can now get a free book every month thanks to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

The goal of the program is to get kids excited about reading and give them the chance to start school on the right foot. Megan McLeod says her two kids, love going to the library and having someone read to them.

"We love coming to the library,” said McLeod. “We come here for story time almost every week, and just get to get with other kids, and families, and learn, and sing, and dance together, it's just always a good time."

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library kicked off Tuesday in Tulsa County. The program gives any kid who signs up a free book mailed to them each month.

"The imagination library seizes this unique and critical time in a child's development, to build awareness about the importance of early literacy and to provide the books and the tools to support those efforts with a child, and their family. and other adults," said Sophia Pappas, the Managing Director for the Birth through Eight Strategy for Tulsa, who was involved with bringing the Imagination Library to Tulsa.

Pappas says teaching kids to read and encouraging them to continue reading, while they're young, can change their life.

"Birth through age 5 is a critical and unique time in a child's development,” said Pappas. “In those early years, so much of the brain is developing, and it's happening fast. So reading and exposing children to books and having those interactions with adults around the books, really seize that opportunity to make the most of the early years."

McLeod says it's important to her to read to her kids and make sure they're around books.

"I feel like reading, first of all. is just super important for learning,” said McLeod. “It's a way to engage and have different things to talk about too, which is really fun, and she loves reading, and learning all her letters, and it's just a really cool way to play."

Kids in Tulsa County from birth to age five can register online at the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library website.