Northumberland foster carers praise Dolly Parton's free book scheme. Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, launched in 1995 in Tennessee, provides books monthly to children under five. In the UK, it was introduced in 2007 and has distributed over seven million books. Barbara Hubbard, a foster carer from Berwick, Northumberland, says the scheme is 'just amazing,' noting how books help children with literacy and speech development, especially those with special needs. Angela Morrison, another foster carer, highlights how the books foster bonding and improve children's speech development. The scheme is managed by Northumberland County Council, sending books automatically to eligible carers. Social worker Leigh Finlay describes the books as 'transformational' for children in care, as they often lack prior exposure to books. The initiative's impact is celebrated by foster carers across Northumberland and Cumbria, emphasizing its role in enhancing early literacy and emotional connections.
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