Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has brought free books straight to children’s homes in Ireland — one new book every month, from birth right up to age five. If you haven’t come across it yet, here’s how it works and how to sign your child up.
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At MyKidsTime we’re big fans of anything that gets kids excited about reading, so we love that Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is active in Ireland and giving families free books.
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) was set up to put more books into children’s homes. Every registered child receives a free book every month from birth to age five, posted directly to their house — at no cost to the family.
Having a favourite book at home makes a real difference. Children who grow up with books around them are more likely to become confident readers, and early experience with stories helps build the vocabulary and language skills that support them right through school.
What Is Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library?
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) is an international book-gifting programme brought to Ireland by the Childhood Development Initiative (CDI). Children registered with the programme receive a new, age-appropriate book every month until their fifth birthday, at no cost to their family.
The idea is simple: help children become “reading ready” before they start school. Reading with young children from an early age is proven to make a real difference to how they get on once school begins.
About the Free Books
Each book is hand-picked by the programme’s Gold Medal Book Selection Committee, chosen to match children’s developmental stages as they grow. Children registered from birth will receive 60 books by the time they turn five and graduate from the programme, with each sibling in a family receiving books suited to their own age.
How Do I Sign Up?
You can register a child under five through the official Imagination Library Ireland sign-up page at www.cdi.ie/imaginationlibrary. If you have more than one child under five, each one can be registered separately and will receive books suited to their own age.
There’s no cost to families. Dolly Parton created the Imagination Library to make books more accessible to young children, because early reading experiences matter so much for their future. The programme is supported by The Dollywood Foundation together with local partners in Ireland.
Eligibility and coverage can change as the programme grows, so it’s worth checking the CDI website directly for the most up-to-date information on whether your area is included and what to expect after signing up.
If you have questions, the CDI website is the best place to find current contact details and further information.
FAQ
What is Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library?
It’s a book-gifting programme that posts a free, age-appropriate book to a registered child’s home every month, from birth until they turn five.
Does it cost anything to join?
No. The Imagination Library is free for families to join and there’s no cost for the books that arrive each month.
What age range is covered?
Children can be registered from birth and continue receiving books until their fifth birthday, when they graduate from the programme.
How do I sign my child up?
You register through the official Imagination Library Ireland page run by the Childhood Development Initiative (CDI). Each child in your household under five can be registered.
Will my other children get the same book?
No — siblings each receive books chosen for their own individual age, not identical copies.
How soon will the first book arrive?
It can take some time for a new registration to enter the system, so allow a few weeks after signing up before the first book turns up. After that, books arrive monthly.
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- Simple Ways to Build a Love of Reading at Home
- Free and Low-Cost Learning Resources for Families in Ireland
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Love the idea of free books landing on your doorstep every month? Browse more of our favourite reading and learning ideas for kids, and save this article so you can come back to the sign-up details whenever you need them.
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