GREENSBORO, N.C. — It's time for my "2 cents."

Would your child or grandchild like five years of free books?

I'm serious. No catch -- just Dolly Parton.

If you never have heard of the country music superstar's Imagination Library, I hadn't either...until I became a mom.

The global book gifting program mails each enrolled child a free book a month for up to five years, birth to kindergarten. It partners with local education groups, like the Guilford County Partnership for Children, to distribute the books to participating zip codes. By the end of the program, the child has a whole little library of up to 60 books.

As my oldest child grew up, each book delivery became like Christmas morning for him. Every month, he ran to the mailbox to see what book 'Ms. Dolly' sent this time, eager to snuggle up and read it together.

I remember so vividly the day he got The Little Engine That Could, his first book (of the collection), and I wasn't emotionally prepared for the day last week when he got his last.

It's called "Look out, Kindergarten...Here I come." Inside the front cover are Parton's parting words to my young reader:

"...Dream big dreams; learn everything you can learn; and care for all those who care for you. You do all of these things, and you can be anyone you want to be...

You are terrific...and remember, I will always love you."

As a mom, I will always love and remember this journey. Free books brought my child another priceless gift -- a love of reading...signed, sealed and delivered by Dolly.

Sincerely,

Meghann