Thousands of children will be given free books every month for five years thanks to a Newcastle City Council pilot project.
Every baby, living in Newcastle, who is born between 1 May 2025 and 30 April 2026, will be eligible to receive stories sent from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, the world’s biggest book-gifting programme.
Cllr Karen Kilgour, leader of Newcastle City Council, said the initiative could have widespread benefits for children and families.
“In Newcastle we want to give every baby the best start in life,” she said, “and reading regularly to young children can be an extremely powerful part of their development and a great bonding experience.
“Yet less than half of children aged two or under are read to every day or nearly every day by their parents.
“Giving a child the time and your full attention when reading them a story tells them that they matter.
“It provides comfort and reassurance, confidence and security, and helps them relax. It can help to build self-esteem and their vocabulary, feeds their imagination and can even improve sleeping patterns.
“Research also shows that where children have received books from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library they are more prepared to start school, and the overall literacy levels of families improved.
“But most of all, reading is fun.”
Prospective parents should receive information about the project from midwives and health visitors, and then will be invited to sign up when they register their baby’s birth through an appointment with the Newcastle Registration Service.
Books will then be delivered to homes, or families can choose to have them sent to their nearest Children and Families Newcastle hub for pick up.
At the hubs families can also access a huge range of activities to support them through early parenthood and beyond (with information about what is available locally on www.childrenandfamiliesnewcastle.org.uk)
Where babies living in Newcastle are born outside of the city parents should email imaginationlibrary@newcastle.gov.uk for more information on how to take part.
The first book each child receives will be a copy of Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit, followed by titles including much loved characters like Spot and the Moomins, and fun, sensory books about topics like farm animals, colours, and toys.
Meg Fletcher, regional director for The Dollywood Foundation, said: “I am delighted to be working with the Council to bring the joy of books and reading to Newcastle’s youngest children!
“We have a long history of programmes in the UK, having started in 2008, but our presence in the North East has been limited.
“Being able to bring the programme to more families here has been a dream that has now become a reality with thanks to Newcastle City Council.”
Libraries offer free reading for all
While the pilot project is currently only offering books to children born from May 2025 to April 2026, families are being reminded that they already have access to a huge range of stories and services – for free – through their local libraries.
Across Newcastle there are 14 libraries, from which children can borrow up to 10 books, four toys or three board games at a time, for four week periods, with no late fees.
Parents and carers of children under 2-years-old can also visit any library to pick up a free Bookstart bag, with books and resources to encourage sharing stories from birth.
Libraries also offer free children’s story time and holiday craft sessions; computer access; the ability to borrow eBooks, audiobooks and eMagazines; and reading groups and book festivals. Anyone can join the library for free, either in person or online at www.newcastle.gov.uk/libraries.
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