ARLEE — Residents within the Arlee School District No. 8 have an opportunity to receive a free monthly book for children under 5 through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

When the program first began in May of 2007, the Arlee Community Development Corporation and Jocko Valley Library predicted more than 200 children would receive the free books. Yet, only 25 percent of the projected children have enrolled in the program.

Stacy Olson brought the idea to the CDC after hearing of the free-book program from her parents in Minnesota, as she knew her (then) 1-year-old son Michael could benefit from it.

“If it wasn’t for him I would have said, ‘Wow that’s great,’ and I wouldn’t have done anything,” Olson said.

She said Michael’s favorite book is “The Gruffalo,” a book in which a tiny mouse convinces a large monster that he too can be intimidating, as they walk together through the woods.

According to the National Children’s Reading Foundation, “getting your child ready to read is getting your child ready to succeed in school.” As the foundation’s website states that more than 85 percent of curriculum in the schools is comprised of the printed word.

As well as setting children up for academic success, reading also provides an opportunity for relationship building, as books offer a time for dialogue and laughter — a moment to imagine with your child.

“The single most significant factor influencing a child’s early educational success is an introduction to books and being read to at home prior to beginning school,” said a 1985 report from the National Commission on Reading.

It takes about two months to receive a book after registering. Then an age-sensitive book is shipped to a family’s home once a month until the child is 5.

“He always looks forward to getting new books,” Olson said of Michael’s interest in getting the mail. “He says ‘Is there one for me?’”

The Arlee CDC pays an average of $33.70 every year for each child enrolled in the imagination library.

“All the CDC pays for is the shipping,” said Arlee CDC president Donna Mollica. “It’s a very modest fee per child.”

According to the Imagination Library brochure, 35 percent of children are unprepared to learn when they begin kindergarten. The brochure goes on to announce the importance of reading to a young child.

“It’s a very positive thing,” said administrative assistant for the CDC Kelley Brown, adding that the only requirement is residency within the school district.

Registration forms can be picked up at the Arlee CDC, Rick’s Kustom Kut, Reel Time Video, The Hangin’ Art Gallery, Valley Bank or the Jocko Valley Library.