Free Kids' Books

 

BRINGING THE JOY OF READING TO EVERY CHILD.

 

Every child deserves a strong start. United Way of Reno County is proud to be the local affiliate for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a free book-gifting program that mails a high-quality, age-appropriate book to children every month—from birth to age five—regardless of family income.

Our goal is simple: help every child in Reno County develop a love of reading, build early literacy skills, and start school ready to learn.

 

How It Works

  1. Enroll Your Child (ages 0–5)

  2. Receive a New Book Each Month — delivered directly to your mailbox

  3. Build a Home Library of 60 books by age five

Thanks to generous support from donors and community partners, this program is completely free to participating families.

 

Who Can Enroll

Any child under age five living in Reno County is eligible. We proudly serve families across Hutchinson, Nickerson, Haven, Buhler, Pretty Prairie, and more.

Check Eligibility and Enroll Today

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"Every time a new book from the Imagination Library shows up in our mailbox, our daughter’s face lights up. It’s become a special part of our routine — reading together every night. These books have sparked her love of reading and brought us even closer as a family."

~The Martinez Family, Hutchinson, KS

 

Why It Matters

  • Early literacy is one of the strongest predictors of lifelong success.

  • Families enrolled in DPIL spend more time reading together, strengthening bonds and brain development.

  • The program reaches ALICE and rural families who may lack access to affordable books or early learning resources.

This isn’t just about books—it’s about building strong foundations for learning, equity, and opportunity.

 

Children enrolled in DPIL are 2x more likely to be ready for kindergarten

Source: Imagination Library National Impact Data

 

Our Impact So Far

3,400

Books mailed in Reno County in 2024

500

Kids enrolled in Reno County

60

Books received by one child by their 5th Birthday

 

“If you can read, you can do anything.” – Dolly Parton

Help us spark a lifelong love of reading for every child in Reno County. Sign Up Now