Verde Valley Imagination Library Inspires a Love of Reading in Children

Children Currently Registered

Total Books Delivered Since 2015

What is The Verde Valley Imagination Library

The Verde Valley Imagination Library is the local program partner of Dolly Parton’s renowned program, dedicated to providing free books to children from birth through their 5th birthday. Our mission is simple: to inspire a love of reading by giving young children the tools they need to succeed.

Through generous community support and partnerships, we ensure families in the Verde Valley can access quality, age-appropriate books delivered straight to their homes—completely free of charge.

What is the Imagination Library?

The Imagination Library is a nonprofit program founded by Dolly Parton to promote early childhood literacy. It provides free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five. Since its start in 1995, the program has grown into a global initiative, helping millions of children develop a love of reading. Each book is carefully chosen by the Blue Ribbon Book Selection Committee, a specially selected panel of early childhood literacy experts who match the developmental needs of young readers, making reading an exciting and engaging experience for the whole family.

What does the program do?

The Imagination Library delivers one free book per month directly to the homes of registered children under five. Each delivery is personalized with the child’s name and selected to match their age and stage of development. Funded by generous donors and community partnerships, the program makes it easy for families to create a reading routine without worrying about costs. From colorful board books for babies to captivating stories for preschoolers, the program encourages children to explore, imagine, and learn—all from the comfort of home.

Who can participate?

The Imagination Library is open to any child under the age of five living in the Verde Valley area. Families of all income levels are welcome, and every eligible child can receive books, including siblings in the same household. Registration is free and simple, ensuring every family has access to this life-changing resource. Whether you’ve just welcomed a newborn or have a preschooler gearing up for kindergarten, the program is here to inspire a love of reading in every child.

Who Can Register?

To register, families simply need to live in Camp Verde, Clarkdale, Cornville, Cottonwood, Jerome, Lake Montezuma, McGuireville, Rimrock, Sedona, Verde Village or the Village of Oak Creek and have a child under five.

Once registered, books will arrive by mail within 6-8 weeks.

If you move from the Verde Valley, your enrollment may be transferred to a local program in your new zip code area, if available check availability at https://imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/. You may also contact us for assistance.

What Does the Research Say About Early Literacy?

Early exposure to books has a powerful impact on a child’s development. Research shows that children who grow up surrounded by books are:

Better Prepared for School: Early literacy skills give children a strong start in reading, writing, and language comprehension.
More Confident Learners: Regular exposure to books builds vocabulary, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
Closer to Their Families: Reading together fosters meaningful connections between parents and children.

The Imagination Library is more than just a book program—it’s an investment in our children’s future. By encouraging early literacy, we’re helping children develop the skills they need to thrive in school and beyond.

Ways to Support

Consider donating today and become a Local Program Supporter. All it takes for one child to receive a book a month for the whole year is $35. Getting high-quality, age-appropriate books into the hands of children in the Verde Valley matters. Whether you are able to sponsor one child, 12 children (with a monthly $35 donation) or even a whole community, every dollar helps! We are a 501c3 charitable organization and all donations are fully tax deductible.