Every Story Begins With a Book — You Can Put One in Their Hands
61% of low-income families don’t have children’s books at home. Our partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is changing that, one mailbox at a time.
6,300+
Kids getting free books every month
210,000
Total books mailed since 2019
11,320
Total kids served
with free books
1 in 4
Kids under five in each locality enrolled
How it Works
We are the local program partner of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for the Virginia Peninsulas — a book gifting program that mails free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five, regardless of income or background.
Enroll a Child
Children under five living in the Virginia Peninsula, Middle Peninsula, Greater Williamsburg, or Isle of Wight communities are eligible to enroll.
Books Arrive Monthly
Every book is carefully selected by early literacy experts to be high-quality and age-appropriate. Books arrive monthly until the child’s 5th birthday.
Community Funded
This program is free for families because of generous local donors and sponsors who believe every child deserves the chance to read.
Not Just Any Books…
Every book is carefully selected by the Blue Ribbon Selection Committee — a panel of early literacy experts — and is custom printed by Penguin Random House.
Personalized
Books arrive with the child’s name on the mailing label for a gifting experience.
Multiple Formats
The format of the books change as the child ages for durability.
Bilingual Titles
12 books in the annual catalog are bilingual in English and Spanish.
Reading Tips Included
Books for ages 3-5 include reading tips for parents unique to each story.
Why it Matters
Too many children start kindergarten already behind. In low-income areas, many homes have few or no books at all — yet reading at home before age five is the strongest predictor of future success in school, work, and life.
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90% of a child’s brain is developed by the age of five.
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Over 43% of Virginia children cannot read by third grade.
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1 in 4 Virginia children enter Kindergarten below the literacy benchmarks.
How You Can Help
This program is free for families because of generous local donors and sponsors who believe every child deserves the chance to read.
Join Monthly Giving
Monthly donors make free books possible — without interruption.
Make a Gift
$31 gives a child an entire year of free monthly books.
Volunteer
Help share the story — from local events to outreach.
Sponsor a Community
Partner with us to bring books to every child in your area.