Sponsor a Bookshelf!
Help us bring the joy of books to more children with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
“Having access to resources and having books of their own has an impact
on children’s attainment. There is a positive relationship between the
estimated number of books in the home and attainment.” – (Clark 2011)
Help us spread the joy of reading!
Home-Start HOST are proud to be part of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library – helping get books into the hands of children, where they can inspire joy, wonder and dreams.
Each month, a child enrolled into the scheme receives a book in the post – tailored to their age, and addressed to them by name. Books are carefully chosen for their quality and variety, including traditional stories and rhymes, books by beloved authors and illustrators, non-fiction content, and newly published titles.
For just £2 a month, you can sponsor a child to receive a book each month, a gift that widens their horizons, inspires their dreams, and supports them to spend time sharing that experience with parents.
Why is early reading so important?
If you read just one book a day with your child, by their fifth birthday they will have heard nearly 300,000 words!
Research shows that children who have access to books and early reading experience far more language in their early years – impacting confidence, communication and school readiness.
Give the gift of reading...
Each month, a child enrolled into the scheme receives a book in the post – tailored to their age, and addressed to them by name. Books are carefully chosen for their quality and variety, including traditional stories and rhymes, books by beloved authors and illustrators, non-fiction content, and newly published titles.
Half the cost of each book is covered by the Dollywood Foundation – so we need to raise the other half of the cost to enrol each child. For just £2 a month, you can sponsor a child to receive a book each month, a gift that widens their horizons, inspires their dreams, and supports them to spend time sharing that experience with parents. Gifting a little more allows us to enrol more children, bringing the benefits of early reading to as many families as possible.
Sharing books as a family has far-reaching impacts
One study found that reading for enjoyment was ‘more important for children’s educational success than their family’s socio-economic status’ (OECD, 2002).
Many families struggle to access books, whether through financial challenges, confidence, parental literacy or housing instability. We support families to access books and reading in the community, through local libraries and play-groups, but having access to books at home is so important. For a child, having books which belong to them really helps them to engage with literacy and learning – vital milestones in their development and education journey.
What your donation could do
£2 a month
Sponsor a child’s to receive a book each month
£10 a month
Enable new children to enrol
£25
Supports a year of books for a child
Your support helps us:
- Provide high-quality books to children who may have very few at home
- Build language and communication skills
- Strengthen parent-child bonding
- Support school readiness
- Promote literacy across Greater Manchester
Become a Regular Supporter Today
We’re building a community of regular givers who believe every child deserves a bookshelf.
By signing up to give monthly, you help us plan ahead and sustain this life-changing programme.
