Nursery kids in an Ayrshire village have been gifted books by Dolly Parton.
The 9 to 5 legend has ensured youngsters in the East Ayrshire settlement of Patna will get a head start reading between the ages of two and five.
Dolly’s Imagination Library has swung open its doors at the Patna early childhood centre (ECC) thanks to funding from The Coalfields Regeneration Trust.
The book gifting programme will give children a high quality, age-appropriate book every month until they turn five.
And kids will settle down to enjoy a good read under the watchful eye of the Jolene star, with the library given a country music makeover.
The first book to be gifted to the children was Peter Rabbit.
East Ayrshire Council arranged a Peter Rabbit themed celebration as they launched the library.
Parents and carers, partners and special guests, including Councillor Elaine Stewart and Linda McAulay-Griffiths, chief education officer, all attended.
Head teacher Claire McPhail said: “We are grateful that all of our two to five-year-old children in Patna will have access to and be able to keep a range of books that can be shared at home and in the ECC, promoting early literacy development.
"We hope that our families enjoy revisiting their favourite stories time and time again.”
Councillor Elaine Cowan, cabinet spokesperson for lifelong learning, education and skills and culture, said: “Encouraging our youngest learners to read and enjoy books is so important for their development and it can also start our children on a lifelong love of literature.
“The Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a wonderful initiative and I am grateful to The Coalfield Regeneration Trust for providing funding to make this project happen for the children of Patna early childhood centre.”
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