Moncton store pays tribute to Dolly Parton through literacy
A Moncton children’s resale store is celebrating Dolly Parton’s lifelong commitment to literacy by giving away free books to families this weekend.
Once Upon a Child in Moncton is offering customers a free book with any checkout through Sunday. To receive one, shoppers simply need to say “Dolly” or “YQM” at the cash register.
“We wanted to do something a little different and honour the recent passing of Dolly Parton and the work that she’s done to encourage children to read,” said Chelsea Mattatall, a sales associate, supervisor and social media manager at the store.
The promotion applies to books priced up to $2.50. The store is located at 80 Mapleton Rd in Moncton.
The idea to pay tribute to Dolly came from the store manager, who wanted to recognize Parton’s impact on children’s literacy through programs such as the ‘Imagination Library.’
“Dolly has dedicated so much of her life to putting books into the hands of children,” Matatall said. “She’s always encouraged a love of reading, so we thought it was a really meaningful way to celebrate her legacy.”
Once Upon a Child specializes in buying and selling gently used children’s clothing, shoes, toys, books and baby equipment.
Mattatall said books remain a popular item despite the growing presence of digital devices in children’s lives.
“We have lots of books for all ages,” she said. “We have baby books all the way up to chapter books that would interest tweens and teenagers. We also have French and English books.”
She said the store sees a steady flow of books as families bring in titles their children have outgrown and purchase new selections.
“It’s kind of this big cycle of getting books into different hands,” she said.
The free-book promotion runs until the store closes at 6 p.m. Sunday.
Dolly Parton passed away on Monday at the age of 80.
