Reed says children of Cranston area can sign up for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

CRANSTON, R.I. (WLNE) — Sen. Jack Reed said children under five years old in the Cranston area can be a part of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

The program, created by country star Dolly Parton, provides free books for parents to read to their young children. The mission is to increase the rate of childhood literacy.

Officials said reading to children in their preschool years is important for their long-term success in education.

Parents and guardians can register online or fill out a mail-in form. Officials said the program will “mail an age-appropriate, high-quality book to each child for free every month until they reach the age of five.”

Children “graduate” from the program with a final book and a personalized video message from Parton on their fifth birthday.