Princesses, super heroes, fairies, cartoon characters, and their parents, descended on the TRECC on Wednesday to celebrate a very special birthday.
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library provides free books for eligible children from birth to age five. Every month the children are sent a new book to read or have read to them. The American initiative, first conceived in Tennessee in 1995, was adopted in Tamworth five years ago and has grown in popularity exponentially.
The celebrations of the local program’s fifth birthday included a sausage sizzle, sweets and drinks, jumping castles, face painting, a live DJ and dance floor, and a contest for the best dressed kids – and, of course, a birthday cake.
There were also addresses from Local Program Ambassador Lisa Rennie, Leo Krikmann from United Way Australia who license the program, and Tamworth Regional Council Mayor Russell Webb. The founder herself, who started the program in memory of her late father who was illiterate, also left a brief video message.
“Together we can inspire Australia’s children to dream more, learn more, care more and be more,” Dolly Parton said.
Tamworth’s kids certainly did dream. Among the crowd were several Queen Elsas, Cats in the Hats, Mickey Mouses and a host of Marvel characters. Spiderman and Bob the Builder were also popular choices.
The program is well regarded by many parents, some commenting it was a great opportunity to ensure our kids are exposed to books from a young age.
Tamworth mum Kristen Ellerton agreed, saying “I think this program is great, it’s really good to expose kids to books and literature from when they’re just a baby”.
“I appreciate that you have access to up to 60 books over five years,” Lauren Scott said.
“It’s great especially for low income families that can’t afford these things.”
“I think It’s a great foundation for kids for learning literacy,” Jess Patch said.
“I know that in the past a lot of kids have gone through primary schools and actually not been able to read or write, so I think it’s a great opportunity.”
“I know there’s towns that don’t get to do it; my nephew lives in Coffs Harbour and he misses out.”
The program relies on local partners, called Local Affiliates, to bring the program to each new town. Local Affiliates can be businesses, not-for-profits, local governments, or early childhood providers who share in the mission and purpose of the Imagination Library. Half of the funding for the Tamworth program comes from Local Affiliate Tamworth Regional Council, with the other half coming from donations.
Tamworth Program Ambassador Lisa Rennie said children are registered in the program when they get their hearing test done at the hospital, or if they move to the region they can register through the local library.
“So if they’re on the program from birth to five they actually receive a total of sixty books, for free,” said Ms Rennie.
“The bond that is formed between a parent and child through reading is something that cannot be replaced by a screen, and obviously those children who are read to at a younger age are going to hit higher marks for key indicators as they grow up.”
“After one month, we had 48 babies on the program. Now, here we are in our fifth year, we have 3,537 children on the program”
“I am pleased to report that as soon as a child graduates, a precious baby, or new resident to our area is added to the program,” she said.
Leo Krikmann from United Way was on hand in between the mingling parents to share the joy in the success of the program.
“If every child who has this program across Australia was in this room, we would have 42 thousand children,” he said.
“Kids: This program is all for you. We are so pleased that you’re here today celebrating, it’s a real thrill for me to see you all, and we just love it because these books are all from this local community telling you how much they care for you as children in the local community.”
“And for you adults: keep bringing them to all these wonderful events, to all the things in the library that are happening to help your children read, grow and succeed in life.”
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