A new program in Washtenaw County will bring free books once a month to children from birth to age 5.

Called the Imagination Library, it’s a joint effort of Washtenaw County Head Start, Washtenaw Success By Six, the Literacy Coalition of Washtenaw County and Ann Arbor Links, Inc.

The books are initially being offered to every child in the 48197 and 48198 ZIP codes, which are in Ypsilanti, with plans to extend the program throughout the county as funding allows. Children enrolled in the program will receive a new, age-appropriate book in the mail each month.

The idea is is to help children be more prepared to enter school and become readers by giving them their own books.

“We chose those ZIP codes to start because they are the areas where parents have the least ability to provide books for their kids,” said Siân Owen-Cruise, director of Washtenaw Success by Six.

The group expects to have 2,000 children enrolled by the end of May, when the program officially begins.

Families can enroll multiple children as long as they are different ages. As younger siblings enter the program, some of the books they receive will be different from what their older brothers and sisters received.

Each child’s first book will be “The Little Engine That Could,” and the last one will be “A Place Called Kindergarten.”

Funded by local businesses, service organizations and individuals, the Imagination Library is a satellite of Dolly Parton's organization of the same name. In 1996, Parton started a program in which she mailed a brand-new, age-appropriate book each month to every child 5 years old and younger in Sevier County, Tenn., where she grew up.

Soon other communities expressed interest in starting similar programs, so Parton engaged her Dollywood Foundation to help communities get started and provide logistical support.

Owen-Cruise said although the program is free to all children, they encourage families with the means to pay the $30 it costs to cover their child, and another $30 to sponsor a child, if they can afford it.

The organizers are integrating the books into other programs in the community, such as the Literacy Coalition. They will enroll children with parents in adult literacy programs in the Imagination Library, and then help the adults learn how to read to and engage their kids.

Nija Cunegin of Superior Township has already signed up her son, Darion Webb, 2, for the Imagination Library.

Cunegin estimates they have about 25 books at home. Darion’s favorites are his Dr. Seuss collection and the Disney Cars book.

Josie Parker, director of the Ann Arbor District Library, said she’s pleased with the selection of books, which includes classics and newer books on a variety of popular subjects — trucks, animals, princesses and more.

“It demonstrates all different types of interests at different levels of development,” Parker said. “It’s a very good selection.”

For more information, to enroll a child or to donate to the program, go to http://www.washtenawsuccessby6.org/imagination-library/.

Jen Eyer is on the Community Team at AnnArbor.com. She leads the Parenting and Pets sections, and writes feature stories, blog posts and opinion pieces. She can be reached at 734-623-2577 or jeneyer@annarbor.com.