You can sign up for a program that will send 60 free books for kids by mail from the time of your child’s birth until their 5th birthday!
Getting 60 free books for kids by mail is made possible by Ms. Dolly Parton herself! As a fellow TN gal myself, I just love me some Dolly.
Her love for reading and children was the inspiration for her Imagination Library. She started the library in 1995 & by 2016 she celebrated sending out 1 million free books out to children per month. Per month!
This program is such a great outreach and it is free to any child regardless of income through the age of 5!
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60 Free Books For Kids By Mail
So how does this program work to get 60 free books for kids by mail? Keep reading for all the details on how to grab these free books and my experience with the program.
Let’s start with my experience. I learned of this program when my daughter was 2 and signed her up immediately. We enjoyed the books until she aged out of the program.
My second child is now on his 3rd year with the Imagination Library. It is also interesting to note that I don’t think we have ever gotten a duplicate book, even with having had two kids in the program over the last few years.
It is such a fun treat to go out to the mailbox and have the kids find something new to read waiting on them. And honestly in a world of bills & junk mail, I don’t mind seeing a new book in our mailbox either!
Who Can Sign Up?
Residents of the United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland can sign their child up to receive free books! There is a link on the website to make sure that the program is in your area.
What Age Should My Child Be To Receive Imagination Library Books?
The ideal age would be as soon as the child is born. Dolly’s program starts at birth and continues until your child’s fifth birthday.
If you are just learning of this program, you can still sign up any child that is under the age of 5.
How Many & What Kind of Books Will My Child Receive?
The number of books that your child receives in the mail will depend upon when you sign up for the Imagination Library program. If you sign up at the time of your child’s birth, your child would receive 60 free books by mail by the time they are 5.
If you sign up later, your child will receive one book per month until they turn 5.
We have received all types of books since signing up for the Imagination Library program. Some of the books are very well known and popular classics. And other times we have received books that I was not familiar with but that we have enjoyed as much or more than the more well known authors.
Age Appropriate Content
The monthly book is tailored to your child’s age which provides them with engaging content to listen to as you read.
How Do the Free Books Arrive?
Each month you will receive one book per child wherever you receive mail. We are in the United States so our books are delivered by the United States Postal Service.
Each book is wrapped in a plastic covering to keep it protected from weather elements and other damage during the shipping process.
Most of the books that we have received have been paperback books filled with plenty of colorful pictures.
Where Do I Sign up For 60 Free Kids Books by Mail?
You can check to make sure that Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is available where you live here.
Assuming that the program is available in your area, you will fill out a short form and then should receive your child’s first book within 30 days.
Value of the Imagination Library Books Sent to You for Free
I pulled a few of our books off the shelf that we got from Imagination Library and checked them on Amazon to see what their value is if you bought them.
Here are the books I checked:
The books ranged in price but were generally anywhere from $8.99-14.99. That means that even if every book that you got retails at $8.99, you would get a value of $540 in books if you signed your child up at birth.
Wow! Such an awesome service to encourage literacy in our kids.
Donating the Books When Done
This is not necessary as the books are yours to keep. However, whenever my children have outgrown the books that we have received, I love to donate them to schools, churches or other preschool programs.
Donate to the Imagination Library
Speaking of donations, if you are looking to make a charitable donation this year the Imagination Library accepts monetary donations.
The Dollywood Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Do you plan to sign up for 60 free books for kids by mail through the Imagination Library?
Check Out these Educational Kid Sensory Bins you can do at Home!
- Rose Petal Tea Bin
- Sand & Ocean Bin
- Edible Cereal Baking Bin
- Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bin
- Flower Garden & Planting Bin
Shelly Wilkin says
I would like to get free books for my grandchildren. I have a grandson will be 9 and a granddaughter that will be 3. How to I go about this?
Stacy Craft says
It will only work for the 3 year old (must be under 5). Just go to imaginationlibrary.com and sign him up. It is completely free and he will get a book every month until he turns 5.
Mariam Awdishu says
Hello. I would like to sign up to receive books for my nephew. Thanks.
Stacy Craft says
Hi! If you click the link in the post, it will take you to the Dolly Parton Imagination library website. There you can enter your mailing information and get signed up. Thanks!