North Little Rock family reflects on five joyful years of reading together
For Jessica O’baugh and her family in North Little Rock’s Park Hill neighborhood, bedtime stories aren’t just a routine—they’ve been a cherished part of daily life for five years. Jessica, her husband Matt, and their two sons—Henry (12) and Owen (5)—recently celebrated a big milestone: Owen’s graduation from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
Jessica signed Owen up for the program before he was even born. “I saw something online about the Imagination Library when I was pregnant,” she recalls. “It felt like such a great way to discover new books we might not otherwise find—and the idea of getting ‘happy mail’ every month sounded so fun. And it’s free!”
Since birth, Owen received a brand-new, age-appropriate book in the mail each month from the Arkansas Imagination Library. These books quickly became part of his family’s bedtime ritual. “Owen loves to be read to,” Jessica says. “Every night, we read at least two or three books. He listens closely and always asks what new words mean—he’s very curious and wants to understand the ‘why’ behind everything.”
One book in particular, Dandelion Magic, stood out. “He asked for that one every night for weeks,” Jessica laughs. “My husband would read it to him, and Owen would get so excited about blowing the dandelion in the book. He had these deep belly laughs—and now, when he’s outside, he’s always looking for dandelions to blow and make wishes.”
Through the years, Jessica has seen clear growth in Owen’s vocabulary and love for reading. “He’ll use words we’ve read together and ask lots of questions about ones he doesn’t know,” she says. “Sometimes his older brother Henry reads to him, which makes it even more special.”
As Owen turned five and aged out of the program, the family felt a wave of emotions. “I actually cried when I saw the last book in the mailbox,” Jessica shares. “He was a COVID baby, born at the end of March 2020. That final book made me remember the first one and how far we’ve come. It’s definitely bittersweet.”
For Jessica, the Imagination Library has meant more than just books. “It’s helped us bond as a family and prepared Owen for kindergarten and beyond. I’m so grateful to Miss Dolly for starting this program. It really is a wonderful thing.”
Her advice to other parents? “Definitely sign up. It’s fun for everyone, and it makes a difference. Literacy builds connection, curiosity, and confidence—and when we support early literacy, the whole community benefits.”