West Virginia Launched Dolly Days Read-a-Thon
The statewide initiative encourages K-5 students to read 25 books by the end of the year.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Primary Education
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Governor Patrick Morrissey has announced the launch of the West Virginia Dolly Days Read-a-Thon, a challenge open to all K-5 students across the state. The program honors Dolly Parton's dedication to childhood literacy by incentivizing young readers to complete at least 25 books.
Why it matters
The read-a-thon serves to promote early childhood literacy across West Virginia by engaging students in a structured reading goal. It highlights the state's ongoing commitment to educational development and celebrates the influence of Dolly Parton's literary efforts.
Participants must read at least 25 books to finish the challenge, with 100 students set to win suncatchers. Five additional winners will receive butterfly bookends, while one student will be awarded a grand prize gift basket.
The players
Patrick Morrissey
Patrick Morrissey is the Governor of West Virginia who announced the new statewide literacy initiative.
Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton is a renowned musician and philanthropist whose commitment to childhood literacy inspired the read-a-thon.
West Virginia State Library
The West Virginia State Library is the government institution that will host an exhibition of submitted student artwork.
The details
Students participating in the initiative track their progress using paper reading logs. Once completed, these logs can be submitted through an online portal or delivered directly to local public libraries.
Timeline
The read-a-thon begins on October 1, 2026.
The challenge ends on December 31, 2026.
Completed reading logs are due by January 5, 2027.
Winners will be announced on January 19, 2027.
The West Virginia State Library will display student artwork throughout February and March 2027.
Roadmap
This program aligns with long-standing efforts to improve youth literacy outcomes through incentivized reading challenges. It mirrors the structure of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which provides books to children to foster early reading habits.
Families can participate by picking up or printing paper reading logs to track their children's progress throughout the autumn. Students should ensure their completed logs are submitted by the January deadline to remain eligible for the various prizes.
The takeaway
Parents are encouraged to use the structured challenge to establish daily reading habits with their children through the end of the year. Engaging with the library system throughout the winter can provide additional support for students aiming to hit the 25-book milestone.
Further reading
Learn more about local learning initiatives in West Virginia Primary Education.
More information
For more details on the challenge, visit the West Virginia Dolly Days Read-a-thon website.
Live Poll
Do you believe state-led reading challenges are effective at improving childhood literacy in your community?
