Dolly Parton Was a Legendary Literacy Champion: See All of Her Books

Rachel RaposasTue, August 25, 2026 at 9:22 PM UTC

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Dolly Parton reading her children’s book, ‘Coat of Many Colors.’Credit: Shannon Finney/Getty Images -

Dolly Parton died at age 80 on Tuesday, Aug. 25

The iconic singer was also a published author of several children’s books, many memoirs, a thriller novel and a cookbook

The celebrated musician also supported literacy through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which helped young children access books to inspire a love of reading

Dolly Parton supported, honored and advocated for literacy like no other.

The beloved country singer, who was also an actress and a published author, died on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at age 80, leaving behind a lasting legacy of style, artistry and kindness. Throughout her storied career, Parton penned several books across a range of genres, including children’s books, a suspense novel, a cookbook and a handful of memoirs.

The musician also championed literacy in young people through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which aims to spark an interest in reading by giving free books to children, from birth to age five, per its site. Parton explained that through this program, she hopes to help kids dream big, and better yet, to give them the tools to achieve them as they grow.

Dolly Parton reading her children’s book, ‘Coat of Many Colors,’ during an event in 2018.Credit: Shawn Miller

“The seeds of these dreams are often found in books and the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world,” she said, according to her site.

Take a look back at the musician’s legacy through her books below.

01 of 10

‘Songteller: My Life in Lyrics’

Dolly Parton’s ‘Songteller: My Life in Lyrics.’Credit: Chronicle Books

The first installment of Parton’s photographic trilogy, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics, honors the musician’s legacy through her lyrics, across her expansive discography. The book contains more than 60 years of songwriting, per its synopsis, and features never-before-seen photos from her artistic journey.

02 of 10

‘Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones’

Dolly Parton’s ‘Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones.’

Like Songteller, Behind the Seamstraces the fabric of Parton’s life, career and performances — literally. An archive of some of her most memorable outfits, Behind the Seams explores Parton’s fashion evolution into her “distinctly Dolly style,” per a synopsis.

03 of 10

‘Dolly Parton’s Star of the Show: My Life on Stage’

Dolly Parton’s ‘Star of the Show: My Life on Stage.’Credit: Ten Speed Press

The final of the three books in Parton’s photographic trilogy, Star of the Showcelebrates the iconic musician’s career as a live performer, chronicling her concerts and shows alongside personal stories, from her Grand Ole Opry debut to her iconic halftime show for the Dallas Cowboys’ 2023 Thanksgiving game.’

04 of 10

‘Billy the Kid Makes It Big’

Dolly Parton’s ‘Billy the Kid Makes It Big.’Credit: Courtesy of Dolly Parton

In her passion for bringing heartfelt stories and early literacy to children, Parton created her Billy the Kid picture book series (all illustrated by MacKenzie Haley), which began with Billy the Kid Makes It Big. The wholesome tale follows the titular French bulldog who “loves barking to the beat of country music,” per a synopsis, and sets out to make it big in Nashville.

05 of 10

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‘Billy the Kid Comes Home for Christmas’

Dolly Parton’s ‘Billy the Kid Comes Home for Christmas.’Credit: Penguin Young Readers

Country music’s favorite bulldog returned in Parton’s Billy the Kid Comes Home for Christmas, which met the pup with everything he ever wanted — “a place in Nashville, a great band, and even a cross-country tour,” a synopsis reads. When he’s presented with a choice — a major concert or spending time with loved ones on Christmas — Billy the Kid has to choose between family and fame.

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06 of 10

‘Billy the Kid Dances His Heart Out’

Dolly Parton’s ‘Billy the Kid Dances His Heart Out.’Credit: Penguin Young Readers

The third picture book in the series, Billy the Kid Dances His Heart Outexplores themes of confidence, performing and a little puppy love when the bulldog develops a crush on his dance teacher, Bella. Parton released her single “Bella,” specifically to accompany this book.

07 of 10

‘Coat of Many Colors’

Dolly Parton’s ‘Coat of Many Colors.’Credit: Grosset & Dunlap

Inspired by the lyrics of Parton’s hit song of the same name, Coat of Many Colors(illustrated by Brooke Boynton-Hughes) follows a little girl who needs a winter coat for the colder months. Her mother creates the child a coat from rags, which draws criticism from her classmates — but through the picture book’s journey, the girl realizes just how kind her mother’s action was.

08 of 10

‘Good Lookin’ Cookin’’

Dolly Parton and Rachel Parton George’s ‘Good Lookin’ Cookin’.’Credit: Ten Speed Press

Parton collaborated with her sister, Rachel Parton George, on this cookbook centered around home cooking for each holiday of the year. The book contains “twelve multi-course menus of cherished recipes for New Year’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and more,” a description reads.

09 of 10

‘Run, Rose, Run’

Dolly Parton and James Patterson’s ‘Run, Rose, Run.’Credit: Little, Brown and Company

A collaboration between Parton and bestselling thriller writer James Patterson, Run, Rose, Runis a suspense novel that follows a budding musician in Nashville who both wants fame and runs from it — because a spotlight on her might expose her “dangerous past” and the secrets hidden within it, a synopsis reads.

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10 of 10

‘Dream More’

Dolly Parton’s ‘Dream More.’Credit: Riverhead Books

Part memoir and part advice literature, Parton’s Dream Moreis “a deeper and richer exploration of the personal philosophy she has forged over the course of her astonishing career.” In the book, the musician unpacks her four hopes for everyone — to dream, learn, care and be more — as she shares personal anecdotes from her upbringing and career.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”