PALM BEACH COUNTY’S IMAGINATION LIBRARY SUPPORTS YOUNG READERS
Palm Beach County Imagination Library founders Nicholas and Christen Thompson. PHOTO BY TRACEY BENSON PHOTOGRAPHY
BY DEAN GLORIOSO
For more than 30 years, iconic American singer, songwriter and philanthropist Dolly Parton has been making the world a better place, one child and one book at a time. Launching the Imagination Library in 1995, Dolly Parton and The Dollywood Foundation have been delivering books to children from birth to age five. Receiving one book per month, each child is treated to 60 stories that spark creativity and curiosity with adventurous tales, exciting characters and a few good lessons for their young lives. Initially benefiting children in Parton’s home county in East Tennessee, the Imagination Library is now found across the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, serv-
ing children and communities through the gift of reading. Since 2020, the Palm Beach County community has had a local Imagination Library program partner, thanks to the vision of Christen Thompson. “I’m always excited for people to learn about the Imagination Library, a wonderful program that truly starts a lifelong love of reading for kids and families,” Christen said. “All they have to do is register, and the books arrive in the mail addressed to the children, which they find so exciting.” The daughter of a reading teacher, Christen, along with her husband Nicholas, who serves as chair, formed a nonprofit to partner with the Imagination Library and the Dollywood Foun-
dation, which provides resources and guidance for parents. “We can’t do it alone. An important goal is to make the Imagination Library better known throughout the community, expand its reach, and connect with business and community leaders,” Christen said. Sponsorships, partnerships and fundraising efforts are helping to support the program, especially through its annual signature event, the Run for Reading 5K at Royal Palm Beach Commons Park, which returns this year on Saturday, Nov. 7. A fun family event that serves a great purpose, the 5K welcomes individuals, teams and sponsors, with all proceeds going to the Palm Beach County Imagination Library. WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE | August 2026 23