Dolly Parton sends free books to kids across 21 states, worldwide

( NewsNation ) — Inspired by her family, over the past three decades, country music legend Dolly Parton has made it her mission to improve literacy through her Imagination Library book giveaway program.

In recent months, it’s expanded in places like Missouri and Kentucky. They are among 21 states where all children under age 5 can enroll to have books mailed to their homes monthly.

On Tuesday, Parton celebrated the expansion of her Imagination Library of Kentucky . The program reaches children in all 120 counties, Gov. Andy Beshear said at the event. More than 120,000 Kentucky children — nearly half of all preschoolers in the state — are currently enrolled to receive books through the program, first lady Britainy Beshear said.

Parton launched Imagination Library in 1995 to honor her father, Lee, who couldn’t read or write. The program started in her home state of Tennessee. Today, more than three million books are sent out each month.

Since the program started, books have been sent to more than 240 million kids in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia.

To sign up your child up for Imagination Library or to donate, click here .

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