Dolly Parton’s imagination library at Patna Early Childhood Centre

Dolly’s Imagination Library is a book gifting programme devoted to inspiring a love of reading. All the children that attend Patna Early Childhood Centre will receive a high quality, age-appropriate book every month until they turn five.

The first book to be gifted to the children is Peter Rabbit so the team at the ECC organised a Peter Rabbit themed celebration inviting parents and carers, partners and special guests including local member Councillor Elaine Stewart and Linda McAulay-Griffiths, Chief Education Officer.

Head Teacher, Claire McPhail said: “We are grateful that all of our 2-5 year old children in Patna will have access to and be able to keep a range of books that can be shared at home and in the ECC, promoting early literacy development. We hope that our families enjoy revisiting their favourite stories time and time again.”

Councillor Elaine Cowan, Cabinet Spokesperson for Lifelong Learning, Education and Skills and Culture said: “Encouraging our youngest learners to read and enjoy books is so important for their development and it can also start our children on a lifelong love of literature. The Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a wonderful initiative and I am grateful to The Coalfield Regeneration Trust for providing funding to make this project happen for the children of Patna Early Childhood Centre.”