West Virginia Has Announced Dolly Days Read-a-Thon
K-5 students across West Virginia are eligible to win prizes by reading at least 25 books this fall.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Primary Education
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Governor Patrick Morrissey has launched the West Virginia Dolly Days Read-a-Thon, a statewide reading challenge for K-5 students celebrating childhood literacy. Participants must track their progress through the end of the year to be eligible for various prizes.
Why it matters
The event encourages consistent reading habits among elementary-aged children by providing a structured challenge that honors Dolly Parton's long-standing dedication to early childhood education and literacy.
To complete the challenge, students must read at least 25 books between October 1 and December 31. Winners will be selected from the pool of students who meet this goal.
The players
Patrick Morrissey
The current Governor of West Virginia who announced the initiative.
Dolly Parton
An iconic country music singer and philanthropist known for her extensive childhood literacy programs.
West Virginia State Library
A state institution that supports literacy and will host the student art displays.
The details
Students participate by tracking their progress on paper reading logs throughout the three-month period. Once the reading is complete, these logs can be submitted online or dropped off at local public libraries. Beyond the reading challenge, submitted student artwork will be showcased by the West Virginia State Library in early 2027.
Timeline
October 1, 2026: Read-a-thon begins
December 31, 2026: Read-a-thon ends
January 5, 2027: Deadline for submitting reading logs
January 19, 2027: Winners announced
February and March 2027: West Virginia State Library displays artwork
The Home Front
State-sponsored literacy programs have become a primary tool for encouraging reading development in young students. This initiative aligns with existing regional efforts to broaden educational engagement beyond the classroom.
Ensure your child maintains a paper reading log to track their progress through December. You can visit local libraries to drop off these completed logs by the January 5 deadline.
The takeaway
This event offers a simple way to keep elementary students engaged with books during the busy holiday season. Keep a copy of your child's reading log in a secure, central location to ensure it is ready for submission by January 5, 2027.
What happens next
The winners of the challenge will be announced on January 19, 2027, followed by an exhibition of student artwork at the West Virginia State Library throughout February and March 2027.
Further reading
Find more tips for supporting your child's learning at home in the Primary Education section.
More information
For full program details and to download reading logs, visit the West Virginia Dolly Days Read-a-thon website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WOAY-TV.
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