Janine GriffithsFamilies in East Leeds with children under five are being encouraged to sign up for a new programme that sends a free book to their home every month, giving young children the chance to grow up surrounded by stories from their earliest days.
The scheme, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, is delivered locally by Community Learning Partnerships and provides books from birth until a child’s fifth birthday at no cost to families. Each book arrives through the post, offering a simple way for parents and carers to build a home library and help their child develop a love of reading.
Organisers say having books at home supports language development, confidence and school readiness, and that every child deserves the chance to experience this from the beginning.
The programme is part of the global work started by singer and philanthropist Dolly Parton, whose initiative has reached millions of children around the world.
Support independent community journalism!
East Side Story covers the people, places and stories in Leeds that are too often overlooked. While national headlines chase conflict and clickbait, we focus on real communities and the issues shaping daily life in East Leeds.
Divisive content, AI noise and online rumours spread faster than ever. At the same time, many mainstream outlets are stretched and rarely spotlight the community organisations and local champions who deserve recognition.
East Side Story was created to change that. We answer only to our readers. We have no corporate owners or billionaire funders. Our journalists report freely, ask difficult questions and hold power to account.
Your support helps us keep this work going. Monthly contributions make the biggest impact because they allow us to invest in deeper reporting and fearless local journalism.
Supporters also receive exclusive updates, behind the scenes insights and other benefits as a thank you for keeping independent journalism alive.
