Alaska businesses invited to join the celebration and add their events to the Dolly Week map
Best Beginnings, Alaska’s statewide school readiness nonprofit and home of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Alaska, is excited to announce Dolly Week, a weeklong celebration from January 11–17 honoring the joy, connection, and early education sparked by reading together.

Each month, more than 15,000 Alaska children in 142 communities receive a free, high-quality book in the mail and parent education— a program made possible through partnerships with local businesses, libraries, and community organizations across the state. Dolly Week is an invitation for Alaska to come together, celebrate the importance of early literacy and spotlight this beloved program that helps ensure every child begins school ready to read, ready to succeed.

Throughout Dolly Week, Best Beginnings is encouraging local businesses, libraries, restaurants, cafés, bookstores, and community organizations to join the celebration by hosting a Dolly-inspired activity, promotion, or fundraiser. Ideas include:

• A Dolly-themed storytime or craft activity
• Book-themed specials, discounts, or displays
• Wearing pink, sparkles, or Dolly-inspired outfits
• Setting up a children’s book nook or photo stop with standee Dolly
• Hosting a family-friendly event or giveaway
• Sharing early literacy messages on social media #DollyWeekAK

Businesses that participate will be featured on the official Dolly Week event map, helping families discover all the celebrations happening around Alaska.

Why Dolly Week Matters
Dolly Week was created to help Alaskans celebrate and raise awareness of early literacy — and to highlight how simple daily reading helps shape a child’s future. With new research showing that many parents, especially younger parents, are reading less to their young children, this celebration is a joyful reminder that early literacy is powerful, easy to support, and essential for kindergarten readiness.

“Every book, every moment spent reading with a child helps write the first chapter of their story,” said Amie Collins, Executive Director of Best Beginnings. “Dolly Week is a statewide invitation to lift up families and celebrate the generosity of partners who work together to ensure that our children learn to read by giving them the tools they need to succeed.”

Businesses interested in participating can add their event, activity, or promotion to the statewide Dolly Week map at:
www.bestbeginningsalaska.org/dollyweek

The map will be promoted widely to families across Alaska, giving participating businesses additional visibility and a chance to connect with their community in a meaningful way.

About Best Beginnings
Best Beginnings is a statewide nonprofit working to ensure all Alaska children begin school ready to succeed. As the coordinating partner for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Alaska, Best Beginnings supports Imagination Library affiliates, delivers statewide outreach and parent engagement resources, and advances community partnerships that strengthen early literacy for Alaska’s youngest children. More than 225,000 Alaska children have been enrolled in Imagination Library which has delivered over 3 million books to families since the program launched in the state in 2006.

For more information, to participate in Dolly Week, or to explore early literacy resources, visit:
www.bestbeginningsalaska.org