A group of local parents have found a way for every preschooler in Altona and area to have books of their very own.
They have partnered with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to provide books to local children.
This unique program gives children the opportunity to receive a free book, personally addressed to them, every month until they’re five years old.
Nicole Friesen says as a parent of children that love looking at books and being read to, she sees the importance of having books in a home that a child can return to again and again.
“There is a special connection with your child when you sit down and read with them. When I heard about the Imagination Library and started looking into the positive impacts that it has had on the children receiving these books, I knew I wanted to be able to provide that for our community.”
Friesen adds that research suggests the earlier children start looking at books, the better their chances of learning to read when they enter school. According to a Scholastic Canada report, numerous studies have consistently shown that 20 minutes exposure to reading materials each day is all it takes to positively shape your child’s future. The same report noted that books in the home make a difference beyond literacy, and that there is a correlation between homes full of books and both the “ability to use mathematical concepts in everyday life” and “the ability to communicate with others.”
“My hope is to be able to help all families have books in their homes and this is a fantastic place to start,” Friesen says.
Inspired by her father’s inability to read and write, Parton started the Imagination Library in 1995 to serve the children of her hometown in Tennessee. In November 2006 she announced that the program would be expanding into Canada.
As of July 2023, over 200 million free, high-quality, age-appropriate books have been gifted to young children around the world.
Parton’s organization covers a portion of the costs, and the remaining $47/child per year is either fundraised or sponsored by local businesses within the community.
For its pilot year in Altona and area, Elmer’s Manufacturing has offered to sponsor all children under the age of five who want to be recipients of the Imagination Library.
President and CEO Mike Friesen says supporting this cause is an investment in a brighter future, where every child has the opportunity to imagine, learn, and succeed.
“Promoting literacy from a young age enhances cognitive development and instills a love for reading that lasts a lifetime.”
As a busy mom, Melissa Krahn says she knows the value of having a variety of books in their home.
“I feel so excited for my children and the children in our community to have the opportunity to be part of the Imagination Library. Personally addressed mail each month and a book to grow their own personal library, such a wonderful gift.”
Registering for the program is a simple process. Go to the Imagination Library website, www.imaginationlibrary.com, or send an email to ImaginationLibraryAltona@outlook.com to receive a PDF form that can be mailed in.
The current sponsored area includes the following postal codes: R0G 0B0, R0G 0B1, R0G 0B2, R0G 0B3, R0G 0V0, and R0G 1X0.
