Dolly Parton Announces First-Ever Children’s Album, ‘I Believe In You’

“My first album was released 50 years ago and it's been an amazing 50 years since then. I am very excited that now I'm coming out with my first children's album in all of those 50 years," said Parton.

Written by Lauren Laffer
Dolly Parton Announces First-Ever Children’s Album, ‘I Believe In You’
Dolly Parton; Cover art courtesy Webster PR

On Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 15) in Nashville, TN, members of the country music industry gathered, many who brought their children along with, to learn about a secret project from the legendary Dolly Parton. Parton, who was also celebrating the 50th anniversary of her debut album, announced that she’d be releasing her first-ever children’s album, I Believe In You.

“My first album was released 50 years ago and it’s been an amazing 50 years since then. I am very excited that now I’m coming out with my first children’s album in all of those 50 years. I’m proudest of all that all of the proceeds from this CD will go to the Imagination Library,” Parton said in a press release. “It’s been 20 years since the Imagination Library was launched. We’ve seen 100 million books get into the hands of children and hopefully there will be many more.”

Dolly Parton; Cover art courtesy Webster PR

Dolly Parton; Cover art courtesy Webster PR

Dolly’s Imagination Library began in 1996 in her hometown of Sevierville, TN and has since expanded into four countries. The organization has served more than one million children by sending a brand new book each month. In North America, the first book a child receives is the Little Engine That Could, a story that inspired Parton to write “I Believe In You.”

During the media event, Parton performed several of the songs on the track, including the title track, “Makin’ Fun Ain’t Funny,” a song about bullying, and “Brave Little Solder,” a song to help children get through difficult times. Each of the 14 tracks were written and performed by Parton.

I Believe In You will release digitally via Dolly Records/RCA Nashville on September 29, with a physical copy available beginning October 13.

See video of the full press conference above.

I Believe In You Track Listing:
1. I Believe in You
2. Coat of Many Colors (new recording)
3. Together Forever
4. I Am a Rainbow
5. I’m Here
6. A Friend Like You
7. Imagination
8. You Can Do It
9. Responsibility
10. You Gotta Be
11. Makin’ Fun Ain’t Funny
12. Chemo Hero
13. Brave Little Soldier
14. Bonus track spoken audio: Coat of Many Colors (book read by Dolly Parton)