Beginning tomorrow, United Way invites kids to read with Dolly Parton on Thursdays during stay-home orders

WICHITA, Kan., Wednesday, April 1, 2020 — United Way of the Plains invites parents and their children to watch Dolly Parton’s weekly read-aloud video series called “Goodnight with Dolly”, launching Thursday, April 2, 6 p.m. (Central). Parton hopes this series of stories will provide comfort and reassurance to kids and families everywhere during the stay-home orders. The 10-week special series (each Thursday at 6 p.m.) will feature Dolly Parton reading select Imagination Library books.

“This is something I have been wanting to do for quite a while, but the timing never felt quite right,” Parton explained. “I think it is pretty clear that now is the time to share a story and to share some love. It is an honor for me to share the incredible talent of these authors and illustrators. They make us smile, they make us laugh and they make us think.”

Parton hopes this series will further inspire a love of books and shared storytime during this important period. The weekly read-aloud series features several of the Imagination Library’s books including “The Little Engine That Could.” Watty Piper’s classic tale of a determined little engine has been an inspiration to generations.

Viewers can go to imaginationlibrary.com/goodnight-with-dolly or join the Facebook event here, Thursdays at 6 p.m. (Central time).

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library fosters a love of reading and learning in preschool children by mailing them a free book each month until they turn 5 years old. The program is funded locally by United Way of the Plains and the Kansas Health Foundation. Learn how you can sign your child up at unitedwayplains.org/imaginationlibrary.

Download graphic for “Goodnight with Dolly” here.

-##-

MEDIA CONTACT: Delane Butler, Vice President of Marketing, United Way of the Plains, (316) 267-1321, Ext. 4105, dbutler@unitedwayplains.org