We are heartbroken by the loss of dear Dolly Parton. She felt like a friend, and somehow, we thought she would live forever. To us, Dolly was the ultimate librarian. Through her Imagination Library, Dolly understood the power of putting a book into a child’s hands and believing that their future could be bigger than their circumstances.
Dolly grew up in poverty, but she never let her beginnings determine where she would go. More importantly, she never forgot the children growing up with those same struggles. She encouraged children to count the other blessings in their lives. “Although we had no money, I was rich as I could be.” Her generosity, grit, compassion, and unwavering belief in children’s potential created a legacy that will live on for generations.
Her connection to books is deeply personal for us, too. The Little Engine That Could, one of Dolly’s favorite Imagination Library books, was the first book my mother truly loved. It taught her those simple but powerful words: “I think I can.” I remember growing up with her repeatedly telling me to be the choo-choo train and recite, “I think I can. I think I can,” until I had victory over the hard task in front of me. It’s an everlasting mantra that I have carried throughout my life.
Additionally, Dolly’s Coat of Many Colors reminded a little girl who was teased for the hand-me-down clothes she wore, that she was not alone.
So, as we remember Dolly, we wanted to celebrate her in the way that feels most fitting: through books. Here are some wonderful elementary picture books written by Dolly Parton or inspired by her life, music, and life’s message of hope, kindness, courage, and dreaming big.
Coat of Many Colors by Dolly Parton, Illustrated by Brooke Boynton-Hughes
This one is our favorite picture book written by Dolly Parton herself. One of the first books I received for my daughter’s Imagination Library subscription, The Coat of Many Colors, details a true story from Dolly’s childhood.
Publisher’s Synopsis:
Dolly Parton’s rural upbringing in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee provides the backdrop for this special picture book. It tells the story of a young girl in need of a winter coat. Using lyrics from her classic song, Coat of Many Colors, Dolly fondly chronicles how her mother sews her a coat made of rags. She also shares how she was mocked by classmates for being poor. But Parton’s positive outlook carries through to the end. The girl realizes that her coat was made with love “in every stitch.”
It allows other students living with financial struggles to realize that, “Although we had no money, I was rich as I could be,” as they count other blessings in their lives. The story connects with those struggling children who feel alone within hardship and less-than-perfect childhoods. It allows readers to see there’s more to life than material possessions, and that there is “richness” found in family, heart, and home.
Missouri by Billie Rinehimer, Illustrated by Tami Parker
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that Dolly’s Coat of Many Colors inspired my own children’s book, Missouri. Dolly Parton inspired me to write the truth of childhood adversity. Seeking a better way of life, my father packed everything we owned into the back of his pickup truck. We set out west to Missouri. We hoped to find a life that simply wasn’t as hard as the life we had known. Through the journey, we may not have found what we were looking for, but we found something better: resilience and hope.
Publisher’s Synopsis:
What if your biggest dream didn’t turn out the way you expected… but led you exactly where you were meant to be?
Missouri is a heartfelt and beautifully illustrated children’s book about hope, resilience, and the powerful bond between a father and daughter. Told through the eyes of a young girl clutching her beloved teddy bear, readers journey across states, chasing the promise of something better. Along the way, moments of wonder, disappointment, and quiet strength shape a story that will stay with readers long after the final page. As the years pass, the meaning of “Missouri” transforms into something deeper, a symbol of dreams, perseverance, and the courage to keep going, even when life looks different than expected.
Read more about Missouri here:
Home in the Woods Written and Illustrated by Eliza Wheeler
Dolly and her 11 siblings grew up in a small 2-room log cabin in Sieverville, Tennessee. It had no electricity or running water. Dolly and her family lived off the land and their garden, and rarely had to go to the store except for sugar and flour. She said that despite those conditions, they never thought they were poor, and they felt rich in things that money couldn’t buy, like love.
The picture book, Home in the Woods, is very similar to Dolly’s upbringing. Home in the Woods is not your typical picture book. This true story is based on the childhood of the author’s grandmother. During the Great Depression, she, her seven siblings, and their newly widowed mother moved into a shack deep in the Wisconsin woods. The children ranged in age from 14 years to just 3 months. With very few resources, the family had to learn how to live and make do in their small home. They relied on ingenuity, the nature surrounding them, and the kindness of their neighbors. Together, they transformed the one-room shack into a cozy, loving home filled with life, food, and happiness.
Learn more about Home in the Woods in our blog.
Planning to teach Home in the Woods? We have a book companion.
When I Was Young in the Mountains by Cynthia Rylant, Illustrated by Diane Goode
Dolly grew up in the Great Smokies and delighted in the simple pleasures of mountain living. When I Was Young in the Mountains tells the tale of Cynthia Rylant, the author, living with her grandparents, growing up in the Appalachian Mountains, and enjoying many of the simple ways of life Dolly loved as well. Rylant shows readers that there is joy found in nature, family, and an intentional, no-frills childhood, all aspects that shaped Dolly Parton into who she became.
School Library Journal:
Rylant delights in the simple joys of living with her grandparents in the Appalachian Mountains: fresh cornbread, the swimming hole, bathing in the tin tub, snakes, and the community church. Surrounding all of these memories is the loving relationship with her grandparents. Warmly rendered illustrations complement the lyrical text.
Billy the Kid Makes it Big by Dolly Parton & Erica S. Perl, Illustrated by MacKenzie Haley
This picture book is not only adorable and hilarious, but it contains an important and powerful theme for children: to never give up in pursuing your dreams, no matter what anyone else says. It’s a wonderfully age-appropriate story to teach kids such a profound message. We know Dolly herself followed this book’s heartfelt central point in achieving her dreams and finding success.
Publisher’s Synopsis:
French bulldog Billy the Kid was born with an ear for music. And not just any music—he loves barking to the beat of country music! So, in order to pursue his dreams, Billy sets out to Nashville to sing his heart out. But when he meets some big bullies at the Battle of the Bow-wows, Billy worries he’s barking up the wrong tree. He’ll need his favorite songs—“Jowlene” and “I Will Pawlways Love You,” of course. He’ll also need a group of scrappy new friends and his favorite country music star. Together, they help him regain his self-confidence and become the star he always knew he could be. Warm-hearted and funny, this delightful picture book is about standing up to people—and dogs—who put you down. It is also about finding the drive to achieve your dreams. The whole family will enjoy it.
You Are a Story by Bob Raczka, Illustrated by Kristen and Kevin Howdeshell
You Are a Story is a beautifully poetic and simply profound picture book. It celebrates each child’s uniqueness and special individuality. It also gives children the courage to be themselves. One thing we can learn from Dolly Parton is to always have strength and bravery. March to your own beat and be true to yourself. I love how this book teaches that our lives are miraculous and that we are each a story. Dolly Parton was definitely a story, and this feels very Dolly-esque.
Publisher’s Synopsis:
What makes you you? So much goes into who you are. You are many different things: a child, an animal, a body of water, and a friend. Plus, you are a mystery, one-of-a-kind, and a miracle. You are and could be so many things. Whatever you choose to do, it’s your life to write. You are a story.
There’s No Dream Too Tall: Believe in Yourself and Your Dream Will Find You! Written by Amie Dean, Illustrated by Sian James
Dolly dreamed big dreams when she was young. At 18 years old, she set out for Nashville to become a country music star. She took to heart the idea that “No Dream is Too Tall.” Children can become inspired by this book and its heartfelt premise of dreaming big. This is a great picture book for motivating and inspiring children to think about their unique dreams, goals, and plans for their lives.
Publisher’s Synopsis:
Every child is born with unique gifts and strengths, and as they grow, those begin to influence their interests and hobbies. As adults, we can sometimes see these gifts and tell our kids what they could or should be when they grow up. The problem is, kids can internalize our ideas for them as something they should want too. In There’s No Dream Too Tall, Amie Dean offers a different approach allowing kids the freedom to decide for themselves. Whether they want to be a teacher, a chef, a firefighter, a homemaker, or an architect, kids can look at their unique strengths and gifts and find their own way towards a future they will love.
Dolly Parton Classroom Decor
What better way to celebrate Dolly’s legacy than by decorating a classroom inspired by her unique style, love of butterflies, and glitz and glam?
Dolly Parton Biography
Dolly Parton led such a fascinating life. From growing up in poverty to becoming a successful philanthropist, singer, actress, and more, Dolly led a life worth learning about. We highly recommend the Who Is Dolly Parton biography for students from the Who Was book series.
Students will love completing this Biography in a Can Research Project after reading this Dolly Parton biography.
Conclusion:
Many people believe Dolly Parton’s greatest legacy is the songs she sang. In our hearts, it’s the countless children she gave a book to and how she inspired them to be uniquely themselves. She taught us that big dreams are worth chasing, and that where you come from doesn’t determine where you go. By reading books written by Dolly Parton or stories that connect to her life, values, mountain roots, and love of reading, Dolly’s spirit and legacy continue. Dolly may have left the stage, but the light she carried will shine on through every child that is inspired to dream big and pick up a book.
