To celebrate National Reading Month this March, Wayne State University, in partnership with Waltonwood Senior Living, are teaming up to host a Dolly Parton-themed reading party for Detroit community preschoolers: “Waltonwood to Dollywood: Generations of Reading Celebration.” This event invites children from Wayne State’s Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute, the College of Education preschool and children from the Woodbridge community to immerse themselves in the magical world of storytelling. Here's what you can expect:   

·       Opportunities to enroll in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) Children ages 0-5 years from the 48201 and 48202 zip codes can be signed up for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Each month, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library mails a high quality, age-appropriate book to all registered children, addressed to them, at no cost to the child’s family. Wayne State University Library System’s “Team Dolly,” Dolly Parton’s local Imagination Library chapter, works and fundraises to support this initiative.

·       Macho the Miniature Horse: Children and Waltonwood residents will enjoy a meet-and-greet with a miniature horse named Macho, all decked out as Dolly Parton.

·       Reading Stations: Waltonwood residents will read stories from Parton's Imagination Library, featuring favorites like "Coat of Many Colors."

·       Butterfly Bookmark Craft: Attendees will get crafty, creating butterfly bookmarks to take home as cherished mementos.

·      Book Drive: Children will receive gift bags and free books collected through a Waltonwood book drive.