Foster carers across the UK have praised Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, a scheme that provides free books to children up to age five. The country singer, who died on Tuesday, established the initiative in 1995 in Tennessee, with its UK launch following in 2007.
Barbara Hubbard, a foster carer from Berwick, Northumberland, described the scheme as "just amazing," noting that a book arrives monthly for children under five in her care. She told BBC Radio Newcastle that the books have aided children with speech problems and literacy, including a child with special needs who reads age-appropriately.
Sarah Roscoe-Campbell, principal of the Westmorland and Furness Virtual School in Cumbria, recently began distributing the books and reported positive feedback from carers. Angela Morrison, another foster carer, also highlighted the positive impact on children's speech development, attributing it to reading the books.
In Northumberland, the county council manages the scheme, automatically sending books to eligible foster carers. Social worker Leigh Finlay stated that the books have been "transformational" for some children in care, who often haven't had prior experience with books. Children are able to keep the books when they move on from foster care.