Big siblings are benefitting from the books too!
Tully (7 months) and big brother, Tommy (2 years) are pictured here reading ‘I’ll wait Mr Panda’ by Steve Anthony, just one of the books they have received in the Western Downs Imagination Library. Tommy & Tully’s mum said, “We are so lucky to have Tully part of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program. Not only are these books beneficial for Tully, but they have a flow-on effect to her older brother, Tommy.”
“As Tommy & Tully’s parents, we love the resources provided with information that gives us tips and tricks to help engage them with the books.” “We recently moved, and changing our address was a simple and easy process on the parents’ portal.” Mum and Dad are over the moon, saying, “I truly believe it is kick-starting a lifelong love of reading and providing them every chance of success in life.”
Pictured below, Tommy is reading ‘First Words My Body’ to Tully and showing the action of yawning on the page about ‘My Mouth’.
“It’s so rewarding for us to receive a real Western Downs family’s feedback and know that older siblings are benefitting from our Imagination Library program too.”
– Western Downs Imagination Library team
Stories like this reflect what we are seeing more broadly through the International Study of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library led by Dr Claire Galea, Head of Research at United Way Australia.
86,000 caregivers in five countries were surveyed, and it was found that children in Australia were 4x more likely to be interested in reading. Research also found that after just 10 books, children in the program were at least 4x more likely to demonstrate stronger emerging literacy skills—such as vocabulary and phonological awareness—compared to children not in the program.
For more on the research visit International Research – Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
“My dream has always been to help children love books and love learning, no matter where they live. It warms my heart to know this research shows the difference a book can make.”
– Dolly Parton
