The “Little People, Big Dreams” series is a big favourite in my house, and this one didn’t disappoint! The images were as charming as ever, and the pace was just right for my young child. My daughter loved learning all about another little girl who loves to sing as much as she does, who went on to do good for others.

It proved a great jumping off point for more discussion, as is often the case with this series, and we ended up singing and dancing along to Dolly’s songs long after we finished reading. I can tell that this is one that we’ll be revisiting often!

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and Quarto Publishing Group - Frances Lincoln Children's Books for the arc to review.

Loved learning more about Dolly Parton, so this book was a big hit with me! Had absolutely no idea she met her husband as soon as she moved to Nashville, and I'm a sucker for a love story so that was a really cute fact to learn. My little girl was a huge fan of the tiny butterflies hidden on each page - her father and I were asking her to point them out as we were reading it to her and by the end of the book she was finding the butterflies quicker than we could! A brilliant addition that allows this book to appeal to little ones who have no idea who Dolly Parton is, and bigger ones who want to learn more about a country icon.

Another little book about a big character.
This is a story that will make your heart sing.
The series shows the need for others to share a person's dreams but that individual like Dolly Patron needs the original talent and motivation.
A joy to share her voice and make music about the world; then to reclaim it for children through her theme park and women in her work and drive.
The simple factual text is enhanced by vibrant,colourful illustrations. A timelime acts as a reference at the end of the book, with real photos and a place to begin more expansive research.

This is a really nice biography of Dolly Parton for kids. A lot of people don't know how truly amazing Dolly is. She is obviously a successful singer/songwriter and actress. She's also an accomplished businesswoman and philanthropist. Her theme park, Dollywood, gets over 3 million guests a year and employs many in her native Pigeon Forge, TN. Her Imagination Library has gifted over 137 million free books to kids in the US and around the world. And that's just a few things she's done.

It's amazing that she accomplished a lot of her success in the 60s and 70s when it was hard for women to succeed in country music. She then just built on it year after year, becoming a successful businesswoman and using her fame and influence to help others. It's great that a kids' book was written about Dolly so children know about this incredible woman with a beautiful voice who gives so much to others.

I received a free copy of this book from Quarto Group, Frances Lincoln Children's Books, and the authors via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

My First Dolly Parton offers a fairly conservative presentation of Dolly (where is her personality? the glamour? the sequins?) It offers no real insight into her life, and brushes away all of her struggles. One of the reasons that Dolly is so beloved is because she confronted every challenge head on, and to suggest that everything fell into place for her with ease is disappointing. It would be better to show children that you can overcome adversity. That you can be loud and bold, as well as virtuous and charitable.

I found the illustrations to be confusing – they often contradicted the text – as well as distracting. The illustrator also opted to include a butterfly on each page, but its inclusion was never explained. Is this supposed to be a reference to one of her songs, or an artistic signature?

Had there been a sharper focus on her record breaking achievements and fun facts, we would have been able to have a wholesome view of Dolly, without negating who she truly is. Instead, she comes across as a woman living a simple life who just happened to step into fame and have opportunities and awards land in her lap.

I’d recommend that if parents/guardians are introducing their children to Dolly through this book, that they follow up with a wider exploration of her life.

I requested and received an e-ARC of this book from NetGalley and the Quatro Group in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was my favorite Little People, BIG DREAMS book so far, only because Dolly Parton is one of my favorite country singers and I love her Imagination Library initiative. I knew that she was part owner of Dollywood, but I did not know that she owned so many other companies. Learn something new everyday!

I love Dolly Parton and this book did not disappoint. The illustrations were spot on and the book touched on several important facts about Dolly. I can't wait to buy this book for my daughter!

Country Music legend Dolly Parton gets the rock-star treatment in this humble, lovely biography.

Quick Rating: Buy & Keep

Summary
It is impossible to capture the depth of character and career that encompasses the life of Dolly Parton in a child’s board book. This book, however, does an excellent job of distilling the essence of Parton’s spirit and accomplishments into a satisfying peek for both kids and adults alike.

Parton, known for her humor, talent and compassion, is followed from her humble beginnings in the foothills of Tennessee, through her accomplishments in music, to her contributions to children’s literacy–all in a scant 32 pages. No small feat!

Dolly Parton was once asked in an ABC interview, “[i]s it true that you once said that it’s a good thing you were born a girl, otherwise you would have been a drag queen?” She replied, “[y]es, it is true. Because I’m so over-exaggerated and I have so many fans in the gay community, and the drag queens.” And yes, even her love of makeup is touched upon in the book.

Illustrations
Solak, who studied graphic design at the Art Academy in Warsaw and Bologna, captures both the complexity of Parton’s life and the simplicity of Parton’s warmth in the illustrations. Solak’s illustrations, appearing childlike at first, do an excellent job of enhancing the static prose (this is a biography, after all) and reinforce the book’s central messages. The illustrations, however, only appear childlike. Take a look at the where Parton is reading a storybook; stop for a moment and focus on the simple points delineating the characters’ eyes. Where are they looking? All of the Children’s eyes are focused on the book–transfixed by the reading and the world of wonder. Where are Parton’s? Lost in the storytelling. These are not childlike renderings.

It’s On My Bookshelf
Sanchez Vegara has done an outstanding job of capturing a yet unfinished life and making it accessible for both young and old readers. I do have one quibble. I would not introduce this book before the first or second grade, although the reading recommendation begins at Preschool. I just do not think a preschooler would have the attention span or interest in it (unless they know Parton and/or like Country Music). Otherwise, this is a wonderful board book that doubles as a coffee table book. It is a definite buy and keep.

Another book in this super sweet series! I honestly can't get enough of them! And of course I would pick up a book about the living legend, Dolly Parton!

Yet again, I learned some new things! I love Dolly Parton and have followed her for years, but didn't know that much about her past. It was great to be able to learn something from a picture book - if I had books like this back in the day, I would have loved non-fiction more (I tended to go for fiction as a youngster).

The art style is very childish, which is probably the only negative I can say about this series. Sometimes the style works well, and other times it doesn't. For someone like Dolly, I almost expect something more elegant or wild, not just cartoon-y, but that's just me!

Overall, this is a great book and a great series! If you want a non-fiction, picture book that is easy to read and teaches about some historical figures, grab this book!

Four out of five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Group for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

This was a cute little biography! I read this book to my two daughters, aged 5 and 9. My 5 year old loved the illustrations and enjoyed the story telling style of the biography. My 9 year old daughter enjoyed the biography and it peaked her interest in Dolly Parton and her good deeds.

Beautiful book that is engaging for young children and older children with stunning illustrations

Would make a lovely keep sake gift

An absolutely adorable book about the life of one of America's greatest treasures! A great book to inspire kids of all ages! 5 Stars!

I have always been a massive Dolly Parton so this was an instant hit for me but it was so fun to share her story with my son and learn for myself about how she became the super star she is today. The illustrations were stunning and we listened to Dolly's songs whilst reading it.

Thank you Quarto for yet another brilliant instalment in this series.

I love these little books for teaching children about people of history that they can enjoy, as an adult I enjoy reading these as well, learning about well known people that I thought I knew!

This is so lovely and powerful! I'm amazed, because this is really a good story for kids, easy to read, but with a beautiful message of believe in herself and her dreams. Also, the illustrations is very cute too!

An adorable and insightful look into the life and career of Dolly Parton, very interesting to read and good for all ages and audiences.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.

The text and illustrations in this book tell the wonderful story of Dolly Parton in a way that will attract children and inspire them to pursue and achieve their dreams. I recommend this book for all children.

I always admired Dolly"s initation to help children in need access literature and I was familiar with some of her songs (one really cannot not know 'Jolene') but I actually knew nothing about her life.

I love this series because every volume provides interesting tidbits about the lives of famous people without being overwhelmingly informative.

So so delightful! It feels like society is finally recognising for how supremely talented and all-round-wonderful Dolly Parton this book is - and this book wonderfully captured that. In an accessible, charming and engaging manner it tells Dolly's story. I loved the inclusion of her work with literacy! The illustrations are gorgeous too - I'd love them as a set of postcards for my classroom. Will be recommending it as a must-buy to all my parents friends with young children and teacher friends of early years.

A welcome female addition to the series. This shows how you can succeed and be kind in the face of adversity. I learned a lot about Dolly I didn't know and how her career started and progressed. It would be interesting to see if Dolly gave children this book as part of her library initiative. Gorgeous illustrations.