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17th October 2023
07:56pm BST
BY Simon Kelly
Icon Dolly Parton appeared on Liveline on Monday afternoon, yes really, and the singer shared a special moment with an Irish mum.
The 77-year-old singer came on the airwaves to chat with Katie Hannon about her connection to Ireland through her philanthropy.
Hannon highlighted that Dolly Parton's book scheme, Imagination Library has donated thousands of books to children in Ireland after it was introduced to the country in 2019.
Children who sign up for the scheme can receive a book a month addressed to them, at no cost to the family, and is aimed at helping the child's development at an early age.
Started up in 1995, Imagination Library just last year surpassed 2 million books mailed to children worldwide.
Near the end of the interview, Hannon opened up the lines to allow listeners to chat with Dolly. A caller named Sandra was brought on the air to give her thanks to the singer for the scheme and let listeners know how important the books have been for her 3-year-old daughter.
"She's getting post, it's in her name, it's personal to her. You know, she's so small, she's getting a gift.
"I don't think I could express how thankful I am for receiving that gift and for her, I don't think she'd be able to either. There's no words to describe how thankful we are for what she's done."
The great @DollyParton talks with @KatieGHannon Liveline | joe@rte.ie |@rteliveline#Liveline | Call 0818 715 815 I Whatsapp 087 184 3709 I Text 51551 | From NI and the UK 08457-853333 *DMs OPEN* pic.twitter.com/lM2hemdDkw
— Liveline (@rteliveline) October 17, 2023
Dolly replied by saying: "I have to say that touches my heart because that's what I hope to do. And I know the little kids do love it, like you said, it's personal to them.
"And I think if it's got their name on it, they're gonna get that little book and they're gonna make somebody sit down with them to help them read. So you don't need to thank me, that was plenty of thanks just knowing that these kids are loving it."
Sandra went on to say that her other children weren't that interested in books, however, Dolly's book scheme really helped her daughter to pick up reading.
"I think she's more into them because of that," she told the country singer. "The fact that she's getting them posted and she's going to know where they came from and who gave them to her."
"Well, that's the book lady [who is posting them]. I'm the book lady," Dolly replied.
"I think that anything that will draw a child's attention to a book and if it's got something they're interested in, they're going to want, like you say, turn it upside down, look at the pictures and do all that. But as soon as they get older, like you said, they're gonna want to know what that says.
"I'm happy that it works out well for you. And you tell [your daughter] that the book lady said a very special hello."
