Susan LaMarca
Country music superstar Dolly Parton announced Thursday that beginning April 2, she will read bedtime stories to children and adults each Thursday evening at 7pm CST via Youtube.
The weekly readings will feature stories from Dolly’s Imagination Library.
“It is an honor for me to share the incredible talent of these authors and illustrators,” she added. “They make us smile, they make us laugh and they make us think.”
The 10-book video series will begin with Dolly’s reading of The Little Engine That Could. At some point in the series, Parton will also read her own children’s book Coat of Many Colors.
The nine-time Grammy winner not only gifted the world her music, but Parton is also one-third of feminist comedy “9-5,” and send books to 850,000 children each month through her literacy advocacy program.
Social distancing is likely beginning to wear on many people who are starting to feel increased anxiety and fear in the face of possibly extended periods of self-quarantine. Amid all the uncertainty, Dolly offers to soothe her audience with an act of positivity.
“I hope this gift will further inspire a love of books and shared storytime during this important time. … From everyone on our team, thank you so much for inspiring a love of reading in your family. As I always say — We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails — and we’re going to do just that, together.”
Dolly reminds us to “keep the faith” during this time of widespread panic, and her message of joy and hope is exactly what we need right now.
She says, “I think when this passes we’re all going to be better people… so just keep the faith, don’t be too scared.”
Dolly is here for us, and she says it’s going to be okay.
Goodnight with Dolly will be available on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. And if you want more, the forthcoming documentary about her Imagination Library, “The Library That Dolly Built” is slated for release on September 21.