Each year, the Imagination Library books are selected by the Blue Medal Book team, a group of early literacy experts from across the US dedicated to selecting books that reflect a range of family experiences, so that every child can see themselves reflected in the stories, themes, and concepts. Each month from birth to age five, a child registered in the Imagination Library receives an age-appropriate, high-quality title addressed to the in their name and delivered directly to their mailbox.​

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The Blue Ribbon Book Selection Committee selects ten English titles and two bilingual English/Spanish titles each year. As of August 2025, Colorado families may opt in to receive a bilingual book every month.

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All children registered in the program will receive these three books: 

1. The first book a child receives is “The Little Engine That Could"

2. ​Dolly Parton's book written by herself,  "Coat Of Many Colors"

3. The month a child turns five years old, they will receive “Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!”

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American Printing House (APH) selects six titles from the current Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library collection that are most appropriate for children with visual impairment. Children will receive a braille/ print book in the mail at no cost to their family every other month. For more information, please visit: aph.org/braille-tales. The application on this page is required to be completed prior to receiving books. 

Audio Imagination Library books are also available to children. These books may only be played on a digital playback device loaned from the National Library Service (NLS) or another device approved by the NLS.
For more information, please visit: aph.org/imagination-library-collaboration/.