From Their First Book to School Ready with the Imagination Library
When she was just seven months old Neferti’s very first Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library book arrived in the mail, marking the start of her reading journey. From that day on, a new book arrived at her door every month until she turned five years old and set off for school ready to learn.
Neferti’s mother, Aisza, shared that throughout the years, “so many beautiful stories have been read and shared with friends”, an example of the community connections this program creates.
Neferti with her first and last book
The outcome is priceless
We know from our research on the outcomes of shared book-reading that children in the Imagination Library are more likely to be interested in books. When children are interested in books, they experience greater enjoyment from reading, build stronger vocabulary, and are more likely to pick up a book on their own.
After receiving just 10 books, children in the Imagination Library are already more likely to show key emerging literacy skills that prepare them for reading and writing in the early school years.
Ready to Read
This week, Neferti opened her last Imagination Library book, Stuff to Know When You Start School, the special graduation book every child receives when they turn five. Now, as she begins this next chapter, Neferti is ready to start school with the skills and love of reading that will help her succeed.
Thank you to Neferti’s mother for sharing these wonderful photos, and to the Rotary Club of Macarthur Sunrise and all the supporters who made her reading journey possible.
Learn more about our research on the impact of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library by visiting
