Free monthly books are back for young children in parts of Wales

BBC News reported that Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has relaunched for young children in parts of Wales. The scheme posts a free book each month until a child's fifth birthday. It launched on Wednesday at Clwyd Primary School in Swansea, with National Lottery Community Fund support, and it is run with the Dollywood Foundation UK and Community Focused Schools. The participating places are Clwyd, Brynmill, and Llanrhidian primary schools in Swansea, Pencoed Primary in Bridgend, and a community in Risca near Newport. Children under five who live in those school catchments can be registered.

Parton, who started the library in 1995 and died in August at 80, was inspired by her father, who could not read or write. The programme opened in the UK in 2007 and has given nearly eight million books there. Helena Barrett-Duncan, a regional director of the foundation, said one bilingual book is already in the mix and that she would like the post to reach every child in Wales. Welsh Children's Laureate Nicola Davies told the BBC she wants the scheme properly funded across the country. The Welsh government said it funds Love Reading Cymru and the Summer Reading Challenge and remains committed to a library space in every primary school. The news is these catchments, and a book in the post for the children who are signed up. It is not yet a book for every child in Wales.