Better Tomorrows Early Childhood Iowa is launching a new, ambitious early literacy initiative to bring the joy and pride of book ownership to children across Benton and Tama counties. Through a partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, this initiative will provide one age-appropriate, high-quality book every month to children from birth to age five at no cost for families enrolled in the program. 2,600 children in Benton and Tama counties are eligible for this program.

Research from a 20-year study shows that the presence of a home library increases children’s academic success, vocabulary development, attention, and job attainment. Just as a child develops language skills long before being able to speak, children also develop literacy skills long before being able to read. Children who are read to at least three times a week by a family member are almost twice as likely to score in the top 25% in reading compared to children who are read to less than three times a week.

To enroll a child

Children can be enrolled in this program online at: https://imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/