Dolly Parton's 'terrific' advice for Imagination Library graduates comes to light

Dolly Parton is receiving wide attention for her letter to children graduating from her Imagination Library.

Before her death, the legendary American singer-songwriter and actress scribbled a heartfelt message for students who received books through her childhood literacy program.

Hannah Sampson, a staff writer for The Washington Post who shared the letter, revealed that her letter is part of the final Imagination Library book children receive when they turn five.

Reflecting on how time flies, as she reminisced about the moment when the families first read to them as babies, she began, “Dear Imagination Library Graduate. Every book is a treasure and every time you open one up you will meet new friends and take wonderful journeys to magical places.”

The Jolene hitmaker went on to encourage them to never give up on their dreams, writing, “There is no limit to what you can do or how far you can go.”

Parton went to share some words of wisdom with the children that her family taught her.

She encouraged them to “dream big dreams; learn everything you can learn; and care for all those who care for you,” adding that “you can be anyone you want to be” if they always remember her advice.

“You are terrific, and remember…I Will Always Love You, Dolly,” the 11-time Grammy winner concluded.

It is pertinent to mention that Dolly Parton passed away after a “brief battle with cancer” at the age of 80 at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville on August 25, 2026.