Dolly Parton promises free books to Scotland's vulnerable children

SHE is an unlikely answer to the problem of literacy levels among Scotland's most vulnerable young children.

But Dolly Parton, the rhinestone country music superstar, has promised every child in care in Scotland a free book every month until they reach their fifth birthday.

Parton has joined with the Scottish Government and the Scottish Book Trust to bring her Imagination Library to Scotland.

Launched in 1995 to combat poor levels of child literacy in her home state, Tennessee, the scheme has spread around the world to 1,300 communities. But its arrival in Scotland will be the first time it has been rolled out on a national level.

Parton said: "I started the programme because so many of my own family and neighbours, who were poor people that had to work in the fields, didn't get an opportunity to go to school.

"I am thrilled to be a part of this wonderful effort. When I started the Imagination Library in my home town, I never dreamed that one day we would be helping Scottish kids.

"Much of my music has been inspired by Scotland, so it's only right that we are now in a position to bring more joy into the lives of the nation's looked-after children."

The Scottish project is due to start by early summer, with books chosen by a committee of childhood development, literacy and education experts.

Children's minister Adam Ingram said the scheme aimed to ensure looked-after children were given some of the same life chances as others.

"Research also shows that children whose parents and carers talk to them frequently have better language skills than those who do not and that the presence of books in the home can have an important impact on long-term achievement," he said.

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Marc Lambert, chief executive of the Scottish Book Trust, which runs the successful Bookbug book-gifting programme with the Scottish Government, said: "The children who will receive these books have lives which have been disrupted and they don't have many possessions of their own.

"The books will be a key possession for them.

"It is most important that children in care are getting access to books and stories which someone can read to them to form emotional bonds."

He added: "A worldwide study across 27 countries showed having books in the house is one of the most important prerequisites for a successful life and is often linked to educational attainment."

Last night, Edinburgh-based author Alexander McCall Smith praised Parton's initiative, saying: "I am completely overwhelmed with admiration for something like this. It is a wonderful gesture which will mean so much to children who may not have very much in their lives. The important thing about a book is that it can stay with you forever."