Dolly Parton literacy initiative expanding in North Charleston

Students look at books during a book fair at Schaumburg Elementary, part of the ReNEW charter network, in New Orleans, Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana have seen a promising turnaround in their student reading scores after passing a series of similar literacy reforms. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

by: Chase Laudenslager

Posted: Jun 6, 2023 / 08:33 PM EDT

Updated: Jun 6, 2023 / 08:33 PM EDT

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Several Lowcountry organizations are teaming up with an initiative started by country music icon Dolly Parton to increase literacy among underprivileged children.

BEGIN WITH BOOKS is the North Charleston affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which “aims to inspire a love of reading and promote philanthropic literacy.”

BEGIN WITH BOOKS, the Charleston Coalition for Kids, The Library Foundation, and Palmetto Project are planning to distribute 7,200 books to 1,200 children under the age of five in two areas of North Charleston.

Kids in the 29418 and 29420 zip codes are eligible to receive one book per month delivered to their homes.

To celebrate the expansion, the Dorchester County Library is hosting a special story time with author Chris Singleton on June 7 beginning at 10:30 a.m.