The Southern Illinois Coalition for Children and Families announced that more than 6,000 southern Illinois children are enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program, reaching a significant milestone.

Missouri and Kentucky are among 21 states where all children under the age of 5 can enroll to have books mailed to their homes monthly. On Tuesday, Dolly Parton stopped in both states to promote the program, even singing her favorite song, “Coat of Many Colors.”

On Tuesday, Gov. JB Pritzker joined the Dollywood Foundation and United Way of McLean County at the Bloomington Public Library for the statewide launch to provide Dolly Parton’s imagination library to children in Illinois.

The program will officially launch at the McCracken County Public Library, with a registration event on Aug. 1. 

Local 6 visited one of the latest program headquarters in Marshall County to learn more from 'Dolly's Helpers' and the goal to enroll 100% of children ages 0-5 years.

The program delivers a free book to each child every month, encouraging kids to start reading at an early age.