Dolly Parton will perform weekly online bedtime readings for children, the country music star has announced.
The singer, 74, said she wanted to “share some love” amid the coronavirus pandemic and unveiled a series called Bedtime With Dolly.
Starting from Thursday and lasting 10 weeks, Parton’s Imagination Library programme said in a statement that the goal was to offer comfort and reassurance to children shaken by the outbreak.
Posted by Dolly Parton's Imagination Library on Monday, March 30, 2020
“Dolly hopes these videos will provide a welcomed distraction during a time of unrest and also inspire a love of reading and books in the hearts of the children who see them,” the statement added.
Parton said: “This is something I have been wanting to do for quite a while, but the timing never felt quite right.
“I think it is pretty clear that now is the time to share a story and to share some love. It is an honour for me to share the incredible talent of these authors and illustrators.
“They make us smile, they make us laugh and they make us think.”
The free series kicks off with Parton reading The Little Engine That Could, which the Imagination Library said has been “a source of inspiration” for the singer throughout her life.
Other books lined up over the 10 weeks include There’s A Hole In The Log On The Bottom Of The Lake by Loren Long and Max & The Tag-Along Moon by Floyd Cooper.
Parton’s readings will air online once a week on the Imagination Library’s Facebook page at midnight UK time.