Obstinate, headstrong girl

Shortly after the success of The Buddy Program, Parton learned in dealing with teachers from the school district that problems in education often begin during first grade when kids are at different developmental levels. That year The Dollywood Foundation paid the salaries for additional teachers assistants in every first grade class for the next 2 years, under the agreement that if the program worked, the school system would effectively adopt and fund the program after the trial period.

During the same period, Parton founded the Imagination Library in 1995: The idea being that children from her rural hometown and low-income families often start school at a disadvantage and as a result, will be unfairly compared to their peers for the rest of their lives, effectively encouraging them not to pursue higher education. The objective of the Imagination library was that every child in Sevier County would receive one book, every month, mailed and addressed to the child, from the day they were born until the day they started kindergarten, 100% free of charge. What began as a hometown initiative now serves children in all 50 states, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, mailing thousands of free books to children around the world monthly.

On March 1, 2018 Parton donated her 100 millionth book at the Library of Congress: a copy of "Coat of Many Colors" dedicated to her father, who never learned to read or write.

i. FAVORITE BOOK….

…that was read to you before you could read?

…that you read before the age of eight?

…that you read before the age of thirteen?

…that you read for a class in middle school?

…that you read for a class in high school?

…written in or before the 18th century?

…written in the 19th century?

…written in the 20th century?

…written in your lifetime?

…in the fantasy genre?

…in the mystery genre?

…in the historical fiction genre?

…that’s a biography?

…in the category of general (non-biographical) non-fiction?

…recommended by a relative?

…written in a language other than your own?

…that you stayed up too late finishing then couldn’t sleep?

…that feels spooky?

…that feels bright and radiant?

…that feels like home?

…about war?

…about a social issue?

ii. WHAT BOOK IS…

…your least favorite book assigned for school?

…the first book you remember reading?

…the last book you remember having read to you?

…the longest book you’ve ever read?

…the book you’re most likely to recommend to someone regardless of who it is?

…the one you’ve read the most times over?

…the worst book you’ve ever read by choice?

…the book you’re reading now?

iii. CHARACTER WHO…

…reminds you of yourself?

…is the best narrator?

…you looked up to most as a child?

…you look up to most now?

…you could analyze indefinitely?

…you would date if they were real?

…you would NEVER date in real life but find attractive in theory?

… is most different from yourself? (favorite)

…you relate to despite few concrete similarities?

…is much older than you? (favorite)

…is much younger than you? (favorite)

…you have profound sympathy for?

…you hate the most without them being a villain?

…is an interesting parental figure?

…is an admirable parental figure?

…is the worst parental figure?

…is the most morally intriguing?

…shows you something you dislike in yourself?

…would want to be friends with?

…want to steal out of their book and take care of them the most?

Dolly Parton

Mr. Rochester: yes, I tried to get you to marry me when my wife, who suffers from violent psychosis and can never get help in this era, was still alive. without you knowing about her. also you are 18 and I'm 40. I do love you, though, and when you're being Very Jane(tm) I love that too, even if it's inconvenient for me