My 3½ year old daughter has been receiving a monthly book selection from the Imagination Library project for about 2 years.  We enrolled her using the internet after a local news segment provided details about the program.

The books have all been age appropriate for her with life lessons such as sharing, family values and kindness to others included as main parts of each story.  Their arrival usually results in her immediate request to have them read aloud.  She has identified several favorites that she returns to repeatedly.  She sometimes will also select a book and sit alone quietly, slowly turning page after page and appears to be recalling some sections of the book she had previously heard read.  Because, at her age, she does not recognize written words, the visual queues from the pictures seem to stimulate her imagination to construct her own story using the book as a guide while interspersing her own experiences.

These books arriving in our mailbox on a monthly basis have provided the opportunity for us as parents to share the excitement of the written word with our daughter while expanding her imagination and exposure to the world.  This is truly a wonderful program with benefits for both parent and child alike.

Micheal Poplarchik
Eastman

The Imagination Library was introduced to our children at the preschool two years ago. We give each new family a brochure as soon as they join our preschool family. It's a great start for children to introduce them to quality literature and open them up to the wonderful world of reading. We appreciate everything the Imagination Library does.

Sheila Parker
Preschool Teacher

This is the best thing to come to Tennessee since the Grand Ole Opry! It's a win-win situation. Imagine every month a free book is delivered to each of my granddaughters opening a whole new world to them. Nothing could spark their interest more in the written word. Next comes the second gift, the parent or grandparent can read and enjoy this book with their child for years to come. What a wonderful world!

Terry English

I would like to express my thanks to all of the volunteers that give their time to the Sullivan County Imagination Library. My two youngest children have benefited from receiving books for several years. The books that they receive are interesting and hold my children's attention. It's fun for kids to receive something in the mail. My children look forward to the day their book comes. Katie, my newly turned 5 year old, went through a stage where she slept with her book every night until the next one came.

Please pass on my gratitude to all of those involved in making this program work.

Sincerely,
Val Love

My son and I volunteer at our local library. He has learned to respect books, such as we do not write in, color, or tear pages out of books. He loves to go to the library, he knows that there are many forms of media there and that there is always someone ready and willing to help. We starting going to the reading program at the Colonial Heights Library before he could even walk. It has sparked a great love of books in him. We signed up for the Imagination Library books for the kids. Adam was so excited to get his first book. He feels like Dolly is a friend. He looked forward to getting a new book each month. We are season pass holders at Dollywood. The Imagination Library made going to Dollywood even more personal because he knew that Dolly sent him a book each month and he looks for Dolly when we go. Thanks so much.

Sincerely,
Rene Cox