Dolly Parton: "We Had No Books Except the Bible"

Well, I grew up in a large mountain family with eight children younger than me, and we had no books except the Bible, and mother read that to us. I was always fascinated with books, with fairy tales; I enjoyed learning to read. I loved it so much I don't even remember learning how to read! My mother taught me that. I've been reading, since I was little, anything and everything I could get my hands on. It came from a love of books and having so many of my relatives that could not read nor write, that didn't get an opportunity to go to school. My own father could not read nor write. When I started the program, it came from a serious place in my heart. I know how important it is for children to learn early on, even if you don't get a chance to go to college. If you can read, you can find a book on any subject and educate yourself.