What is the Leah Demaree Douglas Imagination Foundation?

Founded in 2019, the Leah Demaree Douglas Imagination Foundation (LDDIF) is committed to promoting the benefits of childhood literacy in Bosque County, Texas. By providing fun, engaging books to local families with children under five years old, the LDDIF is helping to create a love of reading and supporting early childhood development in Bosque County’s preschoolers.

What does it cost to receive books from the LDDIF?

Nothing! The LDDIF is able to provide books to Bosque County families at no charge thanks to the generous support of our donors. 

What age kids would enjoy books supplied by the LDDIF?

Infants and preschool age children ages 1 to 5 will love the stories and characters found in the books provided by the LDDIF.

Who can sign up to receive books from the LDDIF?

Families who live in Bosque County and have children under the age of five are encouraged to sign up for regular book distributions on our website.

How can I sign up for my family to get books?

Families interested in signing up to receive books can visit the LDDIF website. There, they can complete a short form asking for shipping information and kids ages. Once registered, families will begin receiving books within 6 weeks.

Why is reading to babies and preschoolers important?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, more than one in three American children start kindergarten without the skills they need to learn to read. As a result, about two-thirds of children can’t read proficiently by the end of the third grade. The solution: reading aloud with your kids.

Reading aloud to a child each day increases literacy, builds a social bond, and encourages a love of reading that boosts success in school. When a parent or trusted adult reads to a child – even an infant – it stimulates the part of the brain that helps build key language, literacy and social skills. A recent study found that “reading at home with children from an early age was strongly correlated with brain activation in areas connected with visual imagery and understanding the meaning of language” (TIME.com)

Who was Leah Demaree Douglas?

Leah Demaree Douglas was a mother, avid reader and entrepreneur in Clifton, Texas, who was passionate about the benefits of reading to her daughter, Madeline, every day. Leah wanted all preschoolers in Bosque County to have access to the books and resources they need to develop a love of reading and be successful when they start Kindergarten. To honor Leah’s memory and passion for early childhood literacy, her family and friends partnered with the Dolly Parton Imagination Foundation to launch the Leah Demaree Douglas Imagination Foundation in Bosque County, Texas.

How do I notify Leah Demaree Douglas Imagination Foundation that the child’s mailing address has changed?

Books are mailed to the address listed on the account.  If your child’s address changes, you must contact the Foundation to continue receiving books at support@LDDIF.org.  Books can only be mailed within Bosque county.