Dolly Parton set to read bedtime stories to kids to ease fears over coronavirus crisis

Dolly Parton is taking matters into her own hands to ease the ongoing concerns over the coronavirus pandemic that continues to sweep the globe.

The iconic 9 To 5 hitmaker, 74, has revealed she will be virtually reading bedtime stories to children on a weekly basis.

She unveiled the plans on Monday after revealing the title of her thoughtful project will be called Goodnight With Dolly.

Dolly's Imagination Library charity has been gifting free books to children for years, and with the little ones spending so much time at home amid global lockdowns, now is a perfect time for her to share the readings.

Dolly will read children's books for the next 10 weeks (Getty Images)

The acclaimed singer will be posting the videos on Imagination Library’s YouTube channel.

Dolly's program supplies one free book once a month to any child, regardless of their family's income, from birth until they begin school.

The international sweetheart announced the news in a short clip on her Facebook page.

The nine-tiime Grammy winner will be posting the videos on YouTube (Getty Images for The Recording A)

She explained the readings will run for 10 weeks with the aim of offering children “a welcomed distraction during a time of unrest.”

Explaining her decision to kickstart the book readings in a blog post, Dolly wrote: “This is something I have been wanting to do for quite a while, but the timing never felt quite right.

“I think it is pretty clear that now is the time to share a story and to share some love.”

Dolly describes her venture as 'a welcomed distraction during a time of unrest' (Instagram)

The nine-time Grammy winner added: “It is an honour for me to share the incredible talent of these authors and illustrators.

“They make us smile, they make us laugh and they make us think."

It comes as Dolly shared a short clip on her Instagram last week, urging fans to “keep the faith” during these unprecedented times.

She's been gifting children book for years (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)

She said: “I think God is in this, I really do.

“I think he’s trying to hold us up to the light so we can see ourselves and see each other through the eyes of love. I think that when this passes, we’re all gonna be better people.”

• The first video of Dolly reading the bedtime story will debut on April 2nd on YouTube.

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