Using Your Imagination

A Pocklington teenager’s campaign to get more local youngsters reading is gathering momentum – and it was all inspired by a visit to Dollywood.

Who do you have to thank that you’re able to read this post?
For most of us, our parents and our teachers will have been the key influences that shaped and nurtured our reading ability.
And we’d all agree that the younger you start, the more you’re likely to develop a love for it. It’s vital in every aspect of our lives, at home, at school, at work.
Or just reading for the pure love of reading.
The world’s biggest country and western singing superstar has done more than most to nurture this passion, by creating the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. It’s nine years since she developed the programme to enable every pre-school child in her home of Sevier County, Tennessee, to have their own library of books.
It proved so successful that the model was adopted across the USA and then worldwide. Slowly but surely it has been picked up in the UK – and that’s where George Jibson comes in.

“I have always loved reading so when I saw this I thought it was such a great idea,”

George, of Pocklington, was so enthused by seeing Dolly’s campaign during a family holiday to the USA that he decided that he wanted to get involved – and he was only nine. Seven years later, he’s helped around 70 children in this area and is keen to see hundreds more yoiungsters benefit.
“I have always loved reading so when I saw this I thought it was such a great idea,” said George, 16.
“By coincidence, the UK’s first Imagination Library was launched in Rotherham a couple of months after that holiday and that’s when I knew I really wanted to do it. My parents were really supportive from the start.”
As he has got older, and with the help of his family, George has worked tirelessly to help raise the private funds needed to pay for the books, which are then sent by the Dollywood Foundation to every child signed up for it. They receive one free book every month until they are five, starting with Beatrix Potter’s classic The Tales of Peter Rabbit.
“Every book is age-specific to the child, and as their collection grows they can eventually own up to 60 books,” says George, who attends Pocklington School.
“I have done information days at Sainsbury’s, visited schools and nurseries and set up a Facebook page, all of which has helped raise awareness. But there are so many people who still don’t know about the scheme, so it’s really important we publicise it in any way we can, and it may also help attract some sponsorship.
“Recently we’ve been getting three or four children signing up every month and have 77 registered in total, with 10 or so who have already ‘graduated’ from the scheme after reaching five. I’ve had nothing but positive feedback from parents, who say their children really enjoy the books.”
The scheme covers the YO42 area, so not only Pocklington but villages such as Huggate, Nunburnholme, Bishop Wilton, Allerthorpe, Bielby and many more.
“I knew it would be a lot of hard work when it started but I’ve really enjoyed everything about it – the sense of achievement is very rewarding,” says George. “I chose the YO42 area because it’s a manageable size but also still big enough to feel that I would be making a difference.”
And there’s no doubt he’s doing just that.