
FREE BOOKS FOR KIDS!
Inspire your child's love of reading with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library!
If you have a child from 0-5 years old, register them today
for free monthly books.
How It Works
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A parent or guardian can enroll the child online.
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In 6-8 weeks, the child will receive their first book in the mail - 'The Little Engine That Could'.
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Books arrive in the mail monthly until the child's 5th birthday.
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Learn more about the program on the Dollywood Foundation's Dolly Parton Imagination Library website.
Eligibility
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Child must be under 5 years of age.
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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?
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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.
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The number of words a child knows before starting school is a key predictor of their school readiness.
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Access to books is known to be a significant contributor to early literacy skills.
Manitowoc County Statistics
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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.
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The majority of Manitowoc County youth read at grade level. However, according to the DPI and County Health Rankings*, economically disadvantaged children and students of color tend to read below grade level compared to their peers.
* Under the Manitowoc County Health Factors section, open Additional Social & Economic Factors, and then choose Reading Scores.


HOW CAN I HELP?
Here's how your donation can make an impact:
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$32 buys one child 12 books
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$63 buys two children books for an entire year
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$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.