Call us at (920) 682-8888!
FREE BOOKS FOR KIDS!
Inspire a child's love of reading with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library!
How It Works
-
A parent or guardian can enroll the child online.
-
In 6-8 weeks, the child will receive their first book in the mail - 'The Little Engine That Could'.
-
Books arrive in the mail monthly until the child's 5th birthday.
-
Learn more about the program on the Dollywood Foundation's Dolly Parton Imagination Library website.
Eligibility
-
Child must be under 5 years of age.
-
Child must reside in Manitowoc County.
PLEASE NOTE: The first book can take anywhere from 6-12 weeks to arrive,
but will then arrive on a monthly basis after that.
Questions? Please call United Way's office at (920) 682-8888.
WHY IS EARLY CHILDHOOD LITERACY
SO IMPORTANT?
-
90% of physical brain development occurs in the first three years of life, when a baby forms over 1 million new neural connections per second.
-
Kids may not be able to read words at a very young age, but they will understand feelings associated with the words that are read to them. Books help build vocabulary and an understanding of feelings and others.
-
The number of words a child knows before starting school is a key predictor of their school readiness.
-
Access to books is known to be a significant contributor to early literacy skills.
Manitowoc County Statistics
-
According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction's (DPI) 2023-24 district-wide report cards for school districts in Manitowoc County that submit data, our youth scored at or below the statewide average.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Here's how your donation can make an impact:
-
$32 buys one child 12 books
-
$63 buys two children books for an entire year
-
$160 brings the joy of reading to one child for the full 5 years
Every dollar donated goes directly towards expanding our reach in Manitowoc County and ensuring that children from all backgrounds have access to the wonders of books.