News

Category: Books from Birth

Books from Birth Hosts “A Night Around the World”

While all Tennessee drivers must obtain a new license plate this year, many may be unaware a Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library license plate is available as an option for drivers. Simply search or ask for “Dollywood Foundation” when you purchase your speciality plate. A portion of the license plate sale is distributed to the local Imagination Library affiliate within the county chosen at the time of purchase. This means that over $15 of each Imagination Library plate purcha... Read More

Porter-Leath’s Books from Birth Spring Luncheon Celebrates Early Literacy in Shelby County with Teacher, Teacher

Porter-Leath is announcing their annual Books from Birth spring luncheon, presented by International Paper. The event will take place on Thursday, May 5 beginning at 12:00 PM (doors open at 11:30 AM), at the FedEx Event Center at Shelby Farms. This year’s special guest speaker is Felicia Peat, WKNO's Teacher Teacher, and the luncheon will also be honoring the 2022 AC Wharton, Jr. Literacy Award winner, Karen Vogelsang. Purchase your tickets or whole tables at www.porterleath.org/... Read More

Family Uses Instagram to Spread their Love for Early Literacy

Gerald Fanion IV age three years old LOVES books, often snuggling them as he sleeps each night. His mother, Dr. Sha Fanion, a former elementary school principal and current educational leadership coach, is passionate about literacy. Dr. Fanion read to Gerald in utero and she and her husband have not stopped reading to him since he was born! In fact, she immediately signed Gerald up to receive books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library through Porter-Leath’s Books from Birth pro... Read More
at Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Brianna Stewart: A Books from Birth Graduate’s Perspective on Reading and Learning

The Stewart family readily admits that reading is just part of their routine. Like packing their lunches for the next day or placing their backpacks by the door, the Stewart girls know that they can count on choosing a book to read with their parents before bedtime. Ebonye Stewart shared that these brief times of connection is particularly helpful to her as she raises her oldest daughter, Brianna. “Reading is a time when we are actually able to sit down for a few minutes and bond as a f... Read More

Little Engine Playhouse Visits Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tennessee – The Dollywood Little Engine Playhouse Tour, presented by Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, makes its next stop in Shelby County to area public libraries. Presented in partnership with Penguin Books, the Tour adapts Imagination Library books into 20-minute sing-along musicals for young children The Imagination Library is the flagship program of the Dollywood Foundation. The book gifting program mails free, high-quality books to children from birth until they... Read More

Porter-Leath Announces Books from Birth Spring Luncheon

Memphis, Tennessee – Porter-Leath recently announced its Books from Birth Spring Luncheon, at the FedEx Event Center on Thursday, April 11 at noon (doors open at 11:30am). Presented by International Paper, the luncheon will feature a about the necessity of early literacy by l of Memphis’ foremost literacy advocates. The panel includes Dr. Kandi Hill-Clarke and Dr. Jason Yaun. Dr. Hill-Clarke is the Dean of the College of Education and a McRae Endowed Professor of School-Based Cli... Read More

SESAME WORKSHOP SELECTS MEMPHIS AS NEW COMMUNITY FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD INITIATIVE

Pictured above: Jeanette Betancourt, Senior Vice President of U.S. Social Impact at Sesame Workshop with Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris Sesame Street in Communities announces partnership with ACE Awareness Foundation and Porter-Leath to provide resources and services to families and children Memphis, Tennessee- Sesame Workshop, the non-profit educational organization behind Sesame Street, has announced that Memphis, Tennessee is the next community selected for Sesame S... Read More
at Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Books from Birth Becomes Newest Porter-Leath Program

MEMPHIS, Tennessee – Effective July 1, 2017, Books from Birth merged to become Porter-Leath's newest program. Books from Birth (BfB), an affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, currently provides age appropriate books for nearly 70% of Shelby County children under age five. Children receiving books will not see a change in service, and all parents can continue enrolling their young children. "We have admired the tremendous impact and measurable outcomes of Books... Read More