By Haley Mitchell Godwin

The Crenshaw County Children’s Policy Council has teamed up with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to promote literacy among children in Crenshaw County. The program provides children aged five and under with a carefully chosen book delivered to their home each month at no cost, beginning with the beloved classic, “The Little Engine That Could.” 

The initiative officially kicked off with a launch celebration open to the public on Nov. 20 in the main courtroom of the Crenshaw County Courthouse.

“This project has been months in the making,” Crenshaw County District Judge Jon M. Folmar said. “Bringing Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Crenshaw County will have lasting benefits for our children. I can’t thank the Children’s Policy Council of Alabama enough for their direction, input and gumption to help me accomplish this goal.”

Folmar spearheaded efforts to bring this program to the county shortly after his appointment six months ago. During the launch, Folmar expressed his gratitude to the individuals and organizations that made this initiative possible, including Governor Kay Ivey, the Crenshaw County Commission, local sponsors and others. 

The judge emphasized the importance of early childhood literacy, noting that birth to age five is a critical period for developing communication, social and cognitive skills. Children enrolled in the program will receive one age-appropriate book each month until they turn five, building a personal library of up to 60 books. Reflecting on his own challenges as a young reader, Folmar shared how his struggles with speech impediments and reading comprehension eventually turned into a lifelong love of books.

The Crenshaw County Children’s Policy Council, whose motto is “Building Leaders of Tomorrow by Helping Children of Today” is a nonprofit providing services to children in Crenshaw County. The council currently serves approximately 100 third graders through a Mentoring Program created by Sandy Walker to help students learn and enjoy reading.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, founded in 1995, is a globally recognized early childhood book-gifting program and has distributed more than 250 million books across five countries. Alabama joined this effort in August 2023, with Dolly Parton and Governor Ivey announcing the program’s statewide expansion.

“I’m so excited to help announce that my Imagination Library is coming to Alabama,” said Parton in an Aug. 11 press release. “A lot of good people have worked to make our Imagination Library dream for Alabama a reality, but I want to send my very special thanks to Governor Kay Ivey for her leadership in making this happen.”

Nichole McCants from the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education attended the launch and highlighted the program’s importance. 

“By age five, 90% of a child’s brain development has occurred,” McCants said. “Reading early not only builds critical skills but also fosters strong connections between children and their parents or caregivers.”

The Imagination Library is fully funded for its first fiscal year through a combination of support from Dolly Parton’s foundation and local donations. Community groups or businesses interested in becoming sponsors for the following year are encouraged to contact Judge Jon M. Folmar.

Parents and guardians can enroll children under five at www.imaginationlibrary.com or pick up registration forms at the Luverne and Brantley public libraries.