Author and actress Danica McKellar will narrate The Library That Dolly Built, the first feature-length documentary about Dolly Parton’s book gifting program, The Imagination Library, produced by Land Grant Films in the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s School of Journalism and Electronic Media.
Land Grant Film provides UT students experience in documentary storytelling while providing local nonprofit organizations with videos that can be used to raise awareness and funds. Fifteen UT students worked on the film.
“We are honored to have Ms. McKellar work with us on this important project,” said Nick Geidner, who is an associate professor, the director of Land Grant Films, and the director and producer of The Library That Dolly Built. “She was a pleasure to work with and incredibly generous with her time and talent.”
McKellar is an actress, mathematics writer, and education advocate. Her successful acting career includes her role as Winnie Cooper on The Wonder Years, voiceover work in popular animated movies, and a number of movies on the Hallmark Channel.
In addition to her acting work, McKellar has written eight books, all encouraging children, especially young girls, to have confidence and success in mathematics. Her book, Goodnight, Numbers, is currently included in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
“I’ve admired Dolly Parton since childhood,” said McKellar, “and even more so upon learning of her Imagination Library. I can’t wait for the world to learn more about the Imagination Library through this beautiful documentary, and I couldn’t be prouder to narrate it.”
Dolly Parton also was excited to have McKellar on board.
“I was thrilled that Danica agreed to narrate our documentary,” Parton said. “She is the perfect person to help us tell our story. She is very talented and she has such a giving heart.”
The Library That Dolly Built—formerly 100 Million Stories—covers the history, impact and future of America’s largest nongovernmental children’s literacy program, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. It features Parton’s music and includes original interviews with recipients of the books, parents, policy makers, authors, program organizers, and Parton.
—
CONTACT:
Amy Blakely (865-974-5034, ablakely@utk.edu)
Nick Geidner (330–402–4920, ngeidner@utk.edu)