I hadn't realised until yesterday what a wonderful philanthropist the late Dolly Parton was. We read an article from the The Conversation on 2RPH's Features Forum which talked about her program, Imagination Library, which she started in 1995. This delivers age-appropriate books monthly and freely to children from birth to their fifth birthday. In this country alone, 50,000 kids get a monthly book. Having books read to you and being able to read them yourself, irrespective of your circumstances, is a blessing for both literacy and the imagination.

Dolly is best known for her music, costumes and wigs. She was an outstanding and influential performer. But her generous contribution to literacy (her own father could not read) will have ripple effects for generations to come, things unseen and yet moving on the spirit of the written and spoken word.