How would you like a new book to be mailed to your child once a month for free?

That's what one program is doing to encourage kids to read. Dolly Parton's Imagination Library reading program kicked off at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library last week.

It applies to any child living in Shawnee County from newborns to age five.

To sign up all you have to do is pick up one of a brochure at the library, pediatrician offices, child care facilites or preschools. Once you have the brochure all you have to do is fill out a short form and either mail the formt or turn in at the library. Then the free books will come to you in the mail.

Mother, Beth Roe says for her family reading has been a success story. She reads with her kids often and says it's made a difference. "I know just from the kids, the more they read, they get a lot out of it. I can tell them and tell them stuff, but until they actually get involved in a book they don't understand it. So they really learn a lot from reading."

Teresa Ramirez, mother of two, says she appreciates the program's convenience. "Basically they're giving you all the tools and all you have to do is read to them."

The program started last week and already 700 kids are signed up to get the books. The Imagination Library program is funded by the federal Early Learning Opportunity Act Grant. Which gives the county $760,000 for child literacy programs.

Reva Wywadis, the grant's project manager, says the county applied for the grant to open up a new page in child development. "We know that reading is one of the best things that parents can do with their children to help prepare them to be successful in school. We know that reading to young children promotes vocabulary and language skills."

The grant is for $760,000 will also fund early literacy programs for preschoolers, programs for parents and educators and a website for literacy program proposals.