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‘A Holly Dolly Christmas’: Why is Dolly Parton called a ‘book lady’ in CBS Special?

The country singer said her father’s inability to read and write motivated her to start a literacy program

From being a legendary country singer, actress and author to being a philanthropist and running a book gifting program, Dolly Parton has nailed it all. To lift up our spirits, the country legend arrived with CBS Special, ‘A Holly Dolly Christmas’. The show marks Parton's first-holiday release in three decades and the long wait was worth it. The nine-time Grammy Award winner was seen in the festive mood amid an intimate, candle-lit set in white glittery short dress.

During the feel-good show, the ‘9 to 5’ star, shared how she started a literacy program called Imagination Library in 1995. She mentioned how she was inspired by her father’s inability to read and write and that motivated her to start the book gifting literacy program. Today, as per the official site of the program, it has spread its wings. The program spans five countries and gifts over one million free books each month to children around the world.

“When I was growing up in the hills of East Tennessee, I knew my dreams would come true. I know there are children in your community with their own dreams. They dream of becoming a doctor or an inventor or a minister. Who knows, maybe there is a little girl whose dream is to be a writer and singer. The seeds of these dreams are often found in books and the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world,” Dolly said about the program.

Since its launch in 1955, the program has fetched many milestones. It has heralded Dolly’s vision “to foster a love of reading among her county’s preschool children and their families by providing them with the gift of a specially selected book each month.” Now no sooner that Dolly shared about this benevolent program and how she aims to educate the masses, the Internet could not stop heaping praises on her. 
 
A user expressed about the library, “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a truly incredible program. Initially providing books to children in rural Appalachia to assist with literacy. It is now worldwide, donating over 50 million books to children to encourage them to read.” Another concurred, “Dolly Parton talking about the Imagination Library she started because of her dad, and how kids call her The Book Lady. My younger two called her that, they were recipients of her books when we lived in Tenn and were amazed when they found out she kind of did some other stuff.” A user wrote how she earlier donated money for vaccine research and books, “Before she was funding #COVID19 vaccine research, @DollyParton created a program that has donated 150 million books to children. She is an angel.” “This author appreciates Dolly Parton a.k.a. the book lady. Thank you for promoting literacy Miss Dolly”, a tweet read.

‘A Holly Dolly Christmas’, a one-hour entertainment special, aired on Sunday, December 6 at 8:30 pm ET.