The borough has become only the second place in the UK to join forces with singing legend Dolly Parton and launch her world-famous Imagination Library.
Dolly first launched her book-gifting scheme in her home state of Tennessee in 1996 to help pre-school children and their families foster a love for reading.
Once parents sign up to the Imagination Library their child gets a new free book each month for the first five years of their life. In Wigan the scheme is being piloted at Children’s Centres in Ince and Bryn.
The first book every child receives is the timeless Beatrix Potter classic, The Tales of Peter Rabbit.
Recently Peter and his friends Mrs Tiggywinkle and Tom Kitten were on hand to make sure plenty of youngsters signed-up to get their first free book and start reading.
The former Makerfield MP Ian McCartney has been instrumental in bringing the Imagination Library to Wigan.
Ian says: “I am delighted that a pilot is now off the ground. I hope that this can become a blueprint for the borough and I have extended an invitation to Dolly Parton to visit Wigan whenever she would like to.”
In a special message, Dolly Parton says: “It’s great to celebrate as another bunch of kids start to receive their first books. It’s my dream that every child has a library of books which their parents can read to them from the day they are born. It’s a big dream, but I’ve always been a mighty big dreamer.”
Parents in Ince and Bryn can find out more or sign up to the scheme by visiting their local sure Start Children’s Centre or by calling Nicola Cunningham at Ince Children’s Centre on 01942 767503 or Jenny Puzzar at Bryn on 01942 776382.
