Dolly Parton: 5 Things to Share
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Dolly Parton was much more than a country music star. She was a songwriter, storyteller, reader and huge supporter of children's literacy. Following her death, here are five things to share with primary-aged children to introduce them to Dolly and her remarkable life.
1.) Dolly and the Imagination Library
In 1995, she started the Imagination Library, inspired by her father, who never learned to read or write. The idea was simple: children receive a free book every month from birth to age five. What began in Tennessee has now grown into a global programme, with more than 300 million books given to children.
Dolly also wrote children's books, including Coat of Many Colors, based on her famous song and childhood memories.
From growing up in a poor family to becoming one of the world's biggest music stars, Dolly used her success to help put books into children's hands. That's quite a legacy!
2.) Jolene
You can't really introduce children to Dolly Parton's music without mentioning Jolene. Released in 1973, it became one of her most famous songs and has since been covered by artists all over the world.
It's a brilliant example of Dolly's ability to tell a story through music. The repeated use of the name "Jolene", the pleading quality of her voice and the simple, memorable melody all make the song instantly recognisable.
The subject matter is adult, so this isn't one I'd necessarily use with younger children to explore the lyrics. But it's a fascinating song to simply listen to, particularly when thinking about how a singer can use their voice to communicate emotion.
You could even compare it to the live version from The White Stripes below.
3.) Coat of Many Colors
Dolly Parton grew up in a large, poor family in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, and some of her songs drew directly on her childhood. Coat of Many Colors is one of the best examples.
Dolly's mother made her a coat from scraps of material because the family couldn't afford to buy one. Dolly was teased when she wore it to school, but she remembered it very differently. To her, the coat was a precious gift because it had been made with love.
The song is a lovely example of Dolly's gift for turning a simple memory into a story. It's also a reminder that something doesn't have to be expensive to be incredibly valuable.
You could also share the story read aloud here:
4.) 9-5
Dolly Parton didn't just write songs about her own life. She could write songs that captured everyday experiences too. 9 to 5 was written for the 1980 film of the same name and became one of her biggest hits.
The song is full of energy, with a catchy rhythm and a chorus that's hard not to join in with!
5.) I Will Always Love You
You might be surprised to discover that one of the biggest songs of all time was written by Dolly Parton. I Will Always Love You was written by Dolly in 1973, long before Whitney Houston's enormous version appeared in The Bodyguard.
Dolly originally wrote and recorded the song when she was leaving her professional partnership with country singer Porter Wagoner. Her version became a country hit, but Whitney's 1992 recording turned it into a worldwide phenomenon.
It's a great example of Dolly's talent as a songwriter and another chance to show children how the same song can sound completely different when performed by different artists.
Dolly Parton leaves behind an extraordinary musical legacy, but I think it's the things she did beyond music that make her particularly special.
She gave children books. She read stories. She wrote songs about her own life and turned them into stories that millions of people could connect with. And, perhaps most importantly, she used her success to help other people.
There is plenty here for children to discover, whether that's through a song, a story or simply finding out a little more about the woman behind the famous voice.
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