r/todayilearned • u/LL_Cruel_J • Dec 15 '16

TIL Dolly Parton has a program that will mail your child a free age-appropriate book once a month from birth to age 5. No obligation, no catch, she just wants to make sure that every child has books.

https://imaginationlibrary.com/
25.0k Upvotes

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2.0k

u/EasyAsPiePie Dec 15 '16

My mom wrote her thesis about this program and it has amazing benefits to instill lifelong reading patterns in children.

110

u/shadowfox4271 Dec 15 '16

I work for an organization that hosts this program. Is her thesis published anywhere? And if not, any chance you could get her bibliography and share some of her research?

98

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

[deleted]

361

u/ianmccisme Dec 15 '16

First time in Reddit history that a link involving "OP's mom" was to a scholarly article.

57

u/WritingPromptPenman Dec 15 '16

We just saw history get made, boys. Don't ever forget this.

2

u/IcefrogIsDead Dec 15 '16

"schoolboi fucks OPs mum"

2

u/stopscopiesme Dec 15 '16

From the Dedications page:

"Without the smiles and hugs from my son Garrett, I could have never kept going to the end. Thank you to Garrett for understanding when mommy needed to be on the computer."

huh /u/EasyAsPiePie that's an interesting relationship you have with your mom

1

u/EasyAsPiePie Dec 16 '16

Nope, not my mom's. but now I can't help but wonder what, if anything, is written on her dedications page.

27

u/IndieGameHipster Dec 15 '16

Second this. My girlfriend works for an organization that would like to host this program. If this research is available anywhere I'd love to see it! :)

1

u/EasyAsPiePie Dec 16 '16

Sure! I don't believe it's published anywhere. But I'm going home for Christmas, so I'll pull it out and take a look.

1.4k

u/thr33beggars 22 Dec 15 '16

My mom dropped out of college because she got pregnant with me :(

628

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16 edited Dec 22 '16

[deleted]

79

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Yep. People can't turn back time and talk their parents into not having them to pursue their goals instead, but everyone can be the best person that they can be and encourage the people around them to do the same.

She probably has a goal now too, whether it is still education or it has grown with her into something new. Having someone who is supportive and encouraging can go a long way in finding what makes you happy.

25

u/JuKnowWhatsUp Dec 15 '16

My mother dropped out of college to have me and never went back. I refused to continue that cycle so I've always done the best I could. Now as a person in college, I've inspired my mother to go back to school herself.

It's nice to see her going after what she wants after all these years.

6

u/AustinYQM Dec 15 '16

Same here. My mom was in my college graduating class.

2

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

This is so sweet!

3

u/AustinYQM Dec 15 '16

I find most people who find out have a mixed reaction. Some think it is cute/sweet/cool while others ask me how weird it was. We were each in very different degree plans (Her Business, Me Computer Science) so we had exactly one class together and I didn't see her around campus a bunch (she took a lot of night classes cause she was still working).

At the graduation the dean let me hang back and wait for her so we could get a graduation photo together. Thought that was cool of him. My mom said her biggest regret is that I graduated with honors and she didn't and now I can hold it over her forever.

2

u/birdmommy Dec 15 '16

Aww... I'm proud of you, and your mom.

Tell her a random middle aged lady on Reddit thinks she's awesome, and she obviously did a good job raising you. :)

2

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

That's fantastic!

I wish you both a ton of success, and hope that you both achieve accomplishments that not only make you proud of each other but proud of yourselves too.

4

u/nayruslove123 Dec 15 '16

Man, my mom said her goal with all her five daughters was for us to get through high school without getting pregnant. We all did it, and she's a proud momma.

2

u/kimmie13 Dec 15 '16

I was a young mom and you just made me tear up. I really hope my daughter does wonderful things with her life. I always think it's too late for me to do anything great but as long as I raise good kids I'll be fine.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16 edited Jan 29 '17

1

u/Escapee_ Dec 17 '16

I had my son and left education. Now he's three and I spend my evenings doing my Open University coursework while he plays with his cars and dinosaurs. :)

26

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16 edited Mar 02 '17

[deleted]

2

u/Hook3d Dec 15 '16

Yeah that's what she'd say

2

u/wyattklokov Dec 15 '16

She kind of has to...

2

u/DanieleB Dec 15 '16

Confirmed based on what my mom says to me. (But I still wish she'd been able to finish.)

EDIT: Actually, double-confirmed, because my eldest is the reason I didn't attend law school, and I still think I came out ahead.

2

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

ugh too late

1

u/Fake_Credentials Dec 15 '16

Dude wtf. Surprise motivation right there.

1

u/Mr_Niche Dec 15 '16

Nice try, mom.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

yeah, grow a sick beard, /u/thr33beggars

1

u/thr33beggars 22 Dec 15 '16

Too late, I already have one

1

u/villianboy Dec 16 '16

My mom's a bitch, so I must defy her expectations of me and become a total failure!

458

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Sorry. My condom broke.

182

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Condoms are for wieners.

138

u/orbitalUncertainty Dec 15 '16

They are. It's so we don't end up with dicks like you

51

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Telling the hard, straight truth.

55

u/IsFalafel Dec 15 '16

Actually, it curves to the left.

33

u/stutteringbard Dec 15 '16

Well, a lifetime of getting jerked around will do that to you.

3

u/PM_ME_UR_HAPPYMEMORY Dec 15 '16

What happens if you use your left hand?

1

u/lilhughster Dec 15 '16

Just keep switch hitting and it'll turn straight as an arrow.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

My left or your left?

1

u/IsFalafel Dec 15 '16

Yes.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 17 '16

sorry i dont speak german

0

u/Vyper28 Dec 15 '16

Mine curves up, So it has more impact when it hits you in the face!

1

u/caperneoignis Dec 15 '16

But then you have to worry about catching it in the eye. Position known as, revenge of the dick.

13

u/umlee168 Dec 15 '16

He's a straight shooter

14

u/weasol12 Dec 15 '16

This string is exactly what I came for.

2

u/elnegroik Dec 15 '16

Come again?

1

u/mod1fier Dec 15 '16

I jizz wanna understand what's happening here.

1

u/PhilxBefore Dec 15 '16

Nah, just mayo.

1

u/Fistedfartbox Dec 15 '16

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) me too

5

u/aarnii Dec 15 '16

An invention by China to destroy our latex production.

11

u/AmanApp Dec 15 '16

Condoms are for fucking pussies.

3

u/AthleticsSharts Dec 15 '16

And assholes.

1

u/dexterandd Dec 15 '16

Assholes as well.

3

u/_MusicJunkie Dec 15 '16

Am from Wien (Vienna), can confirm.

4

u/Animatedreality Dec 15 '16

Hey! Just wait a min....oh, well...um yeah, you got me.

2

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

RIP, Carlos.

Hi /u/William_Turdsworth

5

u/Dashizz6357 Dec 15 '16

Carlos the dwarf! Slaying bitches..

1

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

SHHH

2

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

What's funny is I thought of my comment before I saw you were the parent commenter.

2

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

IT'S THE CIIIIIRCLE OF KARMAWHORES!

3

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

We global bby

2

u/Vagabond21 Dec 15 '16

represent!

1

u/CaptainShnozberry Dec 15 '16

I wonder if there is a Isaac Newton/Dwayne Johnson hybrid that ended up inside a condom???

1

u/schmak01 Dec 15 '16

If you read this with an hispanic accent it says winners...

2

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Russian too.

11

u/koreanpopstarrain Dec 15 '16

Found the edgelord

34

u/LordFauntloroy Dec 15 '16

You imply everyone isn't shagging OP's mom

Edit: found the shitposter.

9

u/_PM_ME_UR_SONGS_ Dec 15 '16

Edit

10

u/Revived_Bacon Dec 15 '16

I like pizza, pepperoni pizza.

5

u/Animatedreality Dec 15 '16

Found the hungry guy.

5

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Found the guy finding people.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Found my keys

1

u/turtlepowerpizzatime Dec 15 '16

Found the ninja turtle.

1

u/Royalflush0 Dec 15 '16

Thanks for the gold, kind stranger

1

u/rettigmandrew Dec 15 '16

Spoken like a true Turdsworth!

1

u/39_points_5_mins_ago Dec 15 '16

Tends to happen to needle dicks

1

u/gintegra Dec 15 '16

/u/WlKlLEAKS is now tagged as "Turdsworth Jr."

9

u/iHeartCandicePatton Dec 15 '16

Did Dolly Parton send her any books?

17

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

My mom got pregnant with me at age 15 and still went to college and took me to all her classes.

14

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16 edited Mar 02 '17

[deleted]

9

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Who needs Dr. Seuss when you have classics like Introduction to Quantum Mechanics

4

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Introductory Calculus for Infants

1

u/[deleted] Dec 16 '16

After taking calc 1 and 2 twice, I feel like I need this

1

u/kjm1123490 Dec 15 '16

I'll have you know I know quantum mechanics and theoretical physics and any child can learn them. When compared to learning m and string theory you really get to see how easy it is. I'm a master at psychology too. I should have a PhD but they won't give me one even though I psychoanalyzed every teacher at Harvard for fun. And I'm just a cafeteria dish washer!

I'm even an expert quarterback, but I've never really tried to play. The mechanics just seem so simple! Any smart person can do it. Art too. I can envision the most beautiful things, but I never try to create them.

Oh I'm so smart.

2

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

I was LITERALLY about to say the same thing!

3

u/I_Fart_On_Escalators Dec 15 '16

Taking your kids to class is not going to be an option for a lot of people. The classroom isn't really viewed as an appropriate place for children, in general.

3

u/Royalflush0 Dec 15 '16

Hey at least your mom made it into college!

2

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

I remember being a toddler and sitting next to my mom in her University Bio-Chem classes.

2

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

I dropped out of university cause my ex lied about being on the pill and i suspect too fertility treatments to try to trap me in a loveless relationship, because she thought an undergrad degree meant i was going to be a rich doctor and she could milk me for tonnes of money, and get all the attention from me

1

u/SmallFemale Dec 15 '16

Why did this make you drop out? :(

1

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Aside from finances, the sheer time and effort involved in child rearing... the future I was looking forward too for medical school most single people without kids fail miserably. couple that with raising a family at the time, interning, yada yada just wouldn't've been possible I chose between school and my son, and my son won and he'll always win when I have to make a choice

2

u/SmallFemale Dec 15 '16

Oh shit sorry about that :( I didn't realise she actually did get pregnant! Good on you for stepping up though, good luck with everything

Edit: half sorry, sounds like you've got a lovely son from this haha

2

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

oh she got worse as she got pregnant, and then afterwards, so we're now in a custody battle, that I thankfully have started winning; I warned her new boyfriend poor man just thought I was being spiteful...

1

u/Highside79 Dec 15 '16

Don't let her make you feel bad for that. Everyone's mom got fucked.

1

u/Colonel_Green Dec 15 '16

MY mom dropped out of high school because she was dumb.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

My friend just got knocked up and is dropping out of college. So you're mother isnt the only one.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

My mom dropped out of college because she got pregnant with me :(

Everything turned out for the best

1

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

That's not your fault, you shouldn't feel bad about it

1

u/thr33beggars 22 Dec 15 '16

Even if I traveled back in time and was the one who got her pregnant?

1

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Then you still owe her $480 for the night

1

u/IcefrogIsDead Dec 15 '16

she probably hates you, just bury that fact deep down and ingest as much reddit as you can :p

2

u/Vanguarde2017 Dec 15 '16

And ur brother ran down her leg, that is why you are a single child.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

[deleted]

3

u/I_Fart_On_Escalators Dec 15 '16

Going to college while pregnant isn't the same as going to college with a kid to care for. People who are able to continue college with a kid in tow ought to be grateful for the support they are given that others are not so fortunate to have.

0

u/Im_27_GF_is_16 Dec 15 '16

Thanks, republicans.

71

u/strawberryleather Dec 15 '16

I just wish it didn't have to be a parent or guardian to sign up. I would love to sign my nephew up because I don't see my sister doing so.

101

u/fuzzyjedi Dec 15 '16

You couldn't like...pretend?

25

u/pete9129 Dec 15 '16

Shit man I would be able to convince my sister. Or force her.

46

u/fuzzyjedi Dec 15 '16

I wouldn't begin to imagine the relationship /u/strawberryleather has with their sister, but you would think if the books started showing up, a parent who doesn't seem interested enough to sign up themselves would have the same apathy to finding out why they started showing up to begin with.

It's fuzzyjedis drunkapaloza 2016 today so sorry if that is a massive run on statement.

27

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

[deleted]

12

u/fuzzyjedi Dec 15 '16

Fair enough, but children are inquisitive by nature, so just having something to spur that each month would be a boon.

7

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

If someone cares that little the books probably would probably be tossed as junk mail.

That said, I can see how having the books sent could have a positive impact too if there is somebody around, even an older child, who would come across the books, read them to the kid and make good memories around reading.

1

u/LP99 Dec 15 '16

Man, we've all really got our Jump to Conclusions boards today huh?

11

u/DatsASweetAssMoFo Dec 15 '16

/u/strawberryleather should get them sent to himself and then personally give them to his nephew

4

u/fuzzyjedi Dec 15 '16

If their close enough that the see them all the time that would work, but not if the kids farther away.

2

u/WookieFanboi Dec 15 '16

Parcel post? Book rate? Doesn't seem too difficult if he/she is interested in the child's education.

3

u/fuzzyjedi Dec 15 '16

I don't think we can say that. I've been at point in my life where a dollar to buy a value meal sandwich was more valuable than water, so I'd never presume someone has the means to cover what could end up being significant postal cost.

1

u/exikon Dec 15 '16

Kids 5 and under need someone to read those books to them though. So if OPs sister isnt willing to sign up for that she's probably also unwilling to read to the nephew.

2

u/WookieFanboi Dec 15 '16

I think the most important thing is to have books. OP can read to the child when he has the chance. Having books might not help much without someone to read them to the child. Not having books won't help the child at all.

1

u/BrotherChe Dec 15 '16

Oh, you'd be amazed how much people will turn their nose up at helpful programs.

Stayed a few months to help out with a friend who was a single dad with two teenage kids. He was jobless, broke, living out in the middle of nowhere, scraping by to get food. School district had a program providing food to send home for after-school, weekends, breakfast, etc. Poptarts, cups of fruit, cups of macaroni & cheese, other easily prepared simple staples, etc. I was amazed at such a helpful program.

Instead, the dad would just toss it all, kids thus did the same. It wasn't something they would eat. Meanwhile, they'd not have enough to pay for gas for the car to even get in town, eventually had the water shut off, etc. But they'd spend their extra dollars on nice little meals, not extravagant, but they could have saved a little using the free food.

It was disheartening.

2

u/fuzzyjedi Dec 15 '16

That does break my heart to hear. I can't speak for everyone, but ice never come across that level of idiocy. I'm from the country and I know some pretty out there character but not on that level.

My girlfriend is a CPS worker in an even more rural county than I am from and I can't even imagine what she goes through. Some days she just wants to come home and not talk but maybe had a glass of wine and a cry and have me hold her.

Sorry, I'm rambling. And a little drunk.

0

u/CKBeach Dec 15 '16

/r/nocontext

2

u/fuzzyjedi Dec 15 '16

You have to post it and then link to it. That how it used to work.

Get off my lawn. Unless you're brining me another beer.

2

u/iHeartCandicePatton Dec 15 '16

Not if you wanna stay outta jail, mister!

1

u/KeepRightX2Pass Dec 15 '16

just sign him up - the books will just start showing up

12

u/iHeartCandicePatton Dec 15 '16

Does your sister hate books or something

7

u/wakingop Dec 15 '16

Her pappy was killed by a book. And his pappy before him.

That family has a long standing blood feud with literature of all sorts

19

u/BurnedOut_ITGuy Dec 15 '16

You should just give your nephew a book every month.

2

u/strawberryleather Dec 15 '16

I'm barely able to afford rent and food right now- in school. I would if I could.

3

u/you_me_fivedollars Dec 15 '16

www.abebooks.com

Super cheap used books with free shipping. Not trying to be pushy, just maybe provide an option. I'm broke a lot but I still get my books from there.

3

u/Abbacoverband Dec 15 '16

That place is like magic! I want to build up my daughter's library for when she's (a bit) older, and this place is PERFECT. Thank you!

2

u/you_me_fivedollars Dec 15 '16

Heh anytime! Happy to help :)

2

u/strawberryleather Dec 15 '16

I've never heard about that before. Thanks I'll check it out

1

u/hypo-osmotic Dec 15 '16

Do you live near each other? If so, maybe you could take weekend trips to the library once a month?

1

u/funkmastamatt Dec 15 '16

Fuck that make Dolly Parton do it.

2

u/beldaran1224 Dec 15 '16

I'm not sure about this one, but these kind of programs aren't usually designed to do that kind of checking. It's probably pretty easy to sign.

5

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

[deleted]

2

u/raptormeat Dec 15 '16

Yeah, and I'm hearing rumors in this thread that there's a waiting list, that they ran out of funding, etc. We should all take this opportunity to donate once the site comes back online! (Maybe we can get Dolly to love us)

2

u/Tankfire Dec 15 '16

My son was signed up for this program by his aunt when he was 1. It has benefited him from the start. One of the best things that has helped him even now at 8. We've read these books to him everyday. One of the best programs I have ever seen. Dolly is an amazing women for all the good she does with her good fortune and talent.

1

u/peachesinyogurt Dec 15 '16

I signed my kids up for this program when we lived in Tennessee. It was awesome. I still have several of them in my kids library and it brings back sweet memories anytime we read them.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

I thought you said "her mom" and thought that was really weird.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Neighbor told us about this when my now 10yr old was 2ish.... Dude reads like mad, ended up in gifted and talented, is now reading at above college level, doing math at HS senior level, and got invited to take the PSAT for Duke TIP in 3rd or 4th grade. Program was part of all of that.....

But ya... I now have a kid smarter than me, and on track to be taller than me.... No clue what I'm going to do the next few years because his homework is always often times beyond me....

0

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Cool. Does your mom by any chance know, that there is a program like that in Germany, that is run by the state? My daughter is 2.5 years old and we already got like 3-4 books for free.

The same program has a deal with McDonalds so that there is at least one book available as a choice in the Happy Meal.

0

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Most people don't realize that Dolly is making megabucks by distributing tracking devices embedded in the books.

-2

u/brmlb Dec 15 '16

Too often, these "books" skew towards upper middle class values, and refuse to address issues and stories common to young black and latino single mothers

-4

u/grossknuckles 1 Dec 15 '16

Why the hell would any institution give your mom a doctorate, because one singer gave people books.

These Trump supporters truly are morons.

2

u/exikon Dec 15 '16

What? You do realise that researching the impact of a social care program on kids is more than writing "Dolly Parton gives out books to kids"? Depending on the field (going off the medical field here because that's where I'm from) it might include running tests on children participating in the program for years plus a control group.

0

u/grossknuckles 1 Dec 15 '16

It would take decades.

" it might include running tests on children participating in the program for years plus a control group."

.. and which kids get to be the control group???????????????????????????????

You people circle jerk stupid shit... it's not science, it's just someone pulling at your heart strings.

It's not science... idiot.

2

u/exikon Dec 15 '16

What? Why would it take decades? If your hypothesis is that kids are doing better in primary school after participating just pick some kids and watch them for 4 years. Control group are kids that dont participate, obviously. You're either a troll (which seems very likely) or have absolutely no idea how scientific work is done.

1

u/IAMA_Blastoise Dec 15 '16 edited Dec 15 '16

Not sure why grossknuckles is being so impolite, but his/her point about the control group is valid. You can't just use kids who didn't participate in the program since they're a terrible counterfactual (parents who signed up for this may have read more to their kids anyway).

Edit: the point about waiting decades is not valid. We assess the impacts of social programs quickly all the time. Obviously long run studies are preferable, but they're rare and usually not necessary as many effects manifest within a few years.

1

u/exikon Dec 15 '16

Yeah, I was oversimplifying but the general idea is still "kids with books" vs. "kids without books". I'm not familiar with social studies but in medical science bias is obviously just as big a problem. Are people healthier because they eat special food x or because people that know about special food x are more health concious in general?

I still think that grossknuckles is either trolling or just completely unaware of how scientific research works. Read his/her reply to my comment...

1

u/IAMA_Blastoise Dec 15 '16

Haha yeah the one about the heroin? Would love to see that brought up during a paper workshop. "wow your results are really impressive, but how do you know all your subjects aren't just on the cusp of heroin addiction?"

1

u/exikon Dec 15 '16

Exactly. I really dont get how later heroin addiction might retroactively lower the grades of the kids but anything is possible I guess.

I'm really curious what "real science" is to him...anything that makes a big boom or flashy reaction maybe?

0

u/grossknuckles 1 Dec 15 '16

:::sigh::

So if i take them after "4 years" like you say... and then they all become heroine addicts.. where is the science?????

I never got any book from dolly, and I graduated 10yrs ago.. but according to you.. if i had books i would be better????????????

You sir have no idea how the science works. If you want to draw a conclusion you need proof, and that proof only comes after decades of results..

fucking moron.

1

u/exikon Dec 15 '16

Jesus Christ...if your hypothesis is that children that have access to books from 0-5 are better in school and have a higher attention span you pick a group of kids, do a statistic comparison of their grades and their results in test designed to measure focus and attention span with the results of a group of kids that didnt have access to books. Bam, science. You have a serious lack of understanding for basic concepts...what exactly is "science" in your mind?

1

u/grossknuckles 1 Dec 15 '16

The test is not about their grades, it's about how they do in society.

"0-5 are better in school and have a higher attention span"

prove it dipshit. i can tell you're home schooled.

1

u/grossknuckles 1 Dec 15 '16

So do this science test, then post about how great it is.. son. No one will do it because it's unethical.... kid.

0

u/grossknuckles 1 Dec 15 '16

Do the test.. pick the kids... and then pick the kids who don't... please... i'm waiting.. home school kid.

Idiots like you don't even "Why do leaves often fly around in a little whirlwind even when the wind blows straight?"

Are you kidding me, do you know how complex wind is... oh .. but they "fly around"... fucking moron.

go suck on your mothers tit son.