We place book orders a month in advance, therefore, you will receive your first book the calendar month after next.  For example, if you register your child on the 6th of January, they will receive their first book in March.

You can see the month your first book is expected in the Parent Area.  Depending on the date you registered and the distribution dates, it could be as short as 5 weeks or as long as 12 weeks before you receive your first book.

The first book every child receives, regardless of age, is a special edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit, with an introduction from Dolly.

Perhaps, depending on when they turn five.  We place book orders a month in advance, therefore, you will receive your first book the calendar month after next.

You will be able to register your child if they turn five in the month they are expected to receive their first book - but the only book they will receive is the Welcome Book.  If they turn five the following month, they will receive the Welcome Book, followed by the Graduation Book.  If they are not due to turn five until after that, they will receive at least one book from the book selection list for their age group. 

For example, if your child turns five in June.

• You will not be able to register from May onwards.

• If you register in April, your child will receive one book 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit' in June.

• If you register in March, your child will receive their first book 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit' in May and the graduation book 'Just Imagine' in June.

• If you register in February, your child will receive their first book 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit' in April, an age-appropriate book in May, and the graduation book 'Just Imagine' in June.

If you're moving to another house on the island and that area is currently open for registrations (you can check using our postcode checker) then log into the Parent Area and, for each child, click Edit Information and then Change Address.

If your new postcode is not currently open for registrations, you will need to Stop Book Delivery.  We’re working hard to secure funding to unlock all areas of the island, so keep an eye on our socials to see if your new area is available for registration in the future.

If you moving to the United Kingdom, Ireland, USA, Canada or Australia, there may be an Imagination Library local partner in your new area - use the relevant country's affiliate search to find out, then log into the Parent Area and, for each child, click Edit Information and then Change Address.  The local partner will need to accept your transfer.

If your new address does not have an local partner, you will need to select Stop Book Delivery.

Only the legal guardian of a child may provide consent to enrol them.  Please let the child's parent or guardian know about the Isle of Man Imagination Library.

Only the legal guardian of a child may provide consent to enrol them.  Please let the child's parent or guardian know about the Isle of Man Imagination Library.

When we formed the Isle of Man Imagination Library, we sought to raise sufficient funds to open registration for the entire Isle of Man.  As a newly established charity, we soon realised that this goal was too ambitious.  We have therefore refined our approach to launch the programme area by area, working with sponsors to fund specific postcode districts.  This structure provides clear accountability, each sponsor can see exactly where their funding is delivering impact, and ensures that once an area is funded, it can open immediately for registrations.

We’re working hard to secure funding to unlock all areas of the island.  We have several active applications in progress which we hope will enable us to open registrations in new areas.  We also need to sustain the programme long term, ensuring that books continue to arrive month after month for years to come and that every child who registers is able to graduate, aged five.

We would love to work with individuals, businesses, and organisations who want to make a lasting difference to early literacy and school readiness here on the Isle of Man.

💙 Check a postcode to find the cost to fund an unopened area
💙 Use our donation calculator to see how far funding might go
💙 Download the Sponsor Summary (PDF) and share it with anyone who might be looking for a meaningful way to support local children 

The Imagination Library is made possible through funding shared by Dolly Parton and local communities.

Dolly and the Dollywood Foundation cover the majority of the overhead costs and administration needs (selection of books, database, publisher negotiations etc).

The Isle of Man Imagination Library secures the funding for the cost of the books and postage.

By having the overhead expenses covered, all of the money raised on island goes straight back into the community and allows more Manx children to receive books each month.   

Thank you but fortunately not, the fulfilment and distribution is handled by The Dollywood Foundation UK.

The Isle of Man Imagination Library has little to do from a practical perspective on the delivery side, our main focus is on raising the funds to sustain the programme long term, ensuring that books continue to arrive month after month for years to come and that every child who registers is able to graduate, aged five.

If you would like to help, please consider if you could do anything which may raise funds - such as cake sales or raffles.  Some companies accept charity nominations from their employees - please bear us in mind.

💙 Check a postcode to find the cost to fund an unopened area
💙 Use our donation calculator to see how far funding might go
💙 Download the Sponsor Summary (PDF) and share it with anyone who might be looking for a meaningful way to support local children

You can donate online using a credit or debit card.  Payments made via JustGiving Checkout do not incur a processing fee.

Donating a regular amount to the Isle of Man Imagination Library will enable us to gift free books to under-fives in perpetuity.  If you are able to give regularly, we would appreciate it if you consider a monthly donation which can be set up via JustGiving.

If you would prefer to make a bank transfer our details are:

Account name: Isle of Man Imagination Library
Sort Code: 20-26-74
Account Number: 53894827
Bank: Barclays Bank PLC, Isle of Man Branch
Barclays House Victoria Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM99 1AJ

If you would like to post a cheque, please make it payable to Isle of Man Imagination Library and address it to 2 Mill Cottages, Mill Road, Ballasalla, IM9 2EG.

If you are Isle of Man resident for tax purposes and donate more than £100 in a tax year you may be eligible for tax relief. This can be submitted on your tax return; the Income Tax office will typically require evidence (e.g. bank statements) and confirmation of our Registered Charity No. 1364.

If you are interested in sponsoring a specific area or have any additional questions or terms, please email us at books@imaginationlibrary.im Thank you! ♥️

Each child born within the same calendar year receives the same age-appropriate book each month.  

"the Imagination Library connects my son to his peers because everyone has the same book"

View this year's book selection
Learn about how the books are chosen

Twins will receive the same books, but between a third and a half of the books are changed each year, so younger siblings will often receive different books.

Yes. All books are age-appropriate and are selected by experts in early childhood literacy.  You can learn about how the books are chosen and view this year's book selection.

The first book every child receives, regardless of age, is a special edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit, with an introduction from Dolly.  Age-appropriate titles will start to arrive the following month. 

The books are selected by The Dollywood Foundation Book Selection Committee who are experts in early childhood literacy.  All books are age-appropriate and are selected by experts in early childhood literacy.  You can learn about how the books are chosen and view this year's book selection.

The book selection committee considers child developmental needs for each age and stage as well as specific themes such as regard for diversity of people, their roles, culture and environment; promotion of self-esteem and confidence, appreciation for art and aesthetics.

The Isle of Man Imagination Library is part of the UK programme which means we benefit from the economies of scale provided by The Dollywood Foundation.  Unfortunately, we are unable to deviate from the UK book selection.

If you are interested in children's books with an Isle of Man or Manx language connection, there are excellent sections at the Bridge Bookshop and Manx National Heritage.