Coronavirus: Dolly Parton to read children's bedtime stories online to ‘share love’ amid pandemic

‘Now is the time to share a story and to share some love’, says country singer

Dolly Parton is going to read bedtime stories to children online in a bid to “share some love” amid the coronavirus pandemic.

On Tuesday, the country musician announced the launch of a weekly series titled Bedtime With Dolly, in which she will read a children’s book to an online audience every Thursday evening.

The series, which starts on 2 April, will last for 10 weeks and will be streamed on the Imagination Library Project’s YouTube channel and Facebook Page.

The non-profit organisation said the aim of the project was to give children and families “a welcome distraction during a time of unrest and also inspire a love of reading and books”.

In a statement, Parton said she hopes the new videos will offer comfort and reassurance to children impacted by the outbreak.

“This is something I have been wanting to do for quite a while, but the timing never felt quite right,” she said.

“I think it is pretty clear that now is the time to share a story and to share some love. It is an honour for me to share the incredible talent of these authors and illustrators.

“They make us smile, they make us laugh and they make us think.”

The free series kicks off with Parton reading The Little Engine That Could, which the Imagination Library said has been “a source of inspiration” for the singer throughout her life.

Other books lined up over the 10 weeks include There’s A Hole In The Log On The Bottom Of The Lake by Loren Long and Max & The Tag-Along Moon by Floyd Cooper.

Parton created the Imagination Library in 1990 as a way of making free books available to children and through the years, the musician and philanthropist has become known as “The Book Lady” to millions of children.

The 74-year-old created the company in tribute to her late father who never learned to read.

Parton’s readings will air online once a week at midnight UK time.

The country star is not the only celebrity doing their bit to help children cope during the covid-19 outbreak.

British fitness instructor Joe Wicks has also launched daily live PE lessons for children around the world to follow, ensuring they can still keep fit while at home.

The move follows the closure of schools in the UK for all children, except those of key workers.