There’s a Book for That: Dolly Parton

“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain!”
- Dolly Parton

The world is mourning the passing of Dolly Parton this week. Dolly Parton’s talents were so many. She was beloved for her music, for her children’s literacy work through her Imagination Library, for her humility, wisdom, kindness, and authenticity, and her acting! Dolly will be greatly missed and leaves behind a remarkable legacy, including books such as Coat of Many Colors in which she invokes her Tennessee childhood. Please enjoy the following books by and about the one and only Dolly Parton:

STAR OF THE SHOW: MY LIFE ON STAGE by Dolly Parton, Tom Roland

A stunning celebration of Dolly Parton’s iconic career as a performer, featuring entertaining personal stories alongside more than 500 full-color photographs, including exclusive images and ephemera from her archive, and an 8-page gatefold listing her performances.

In Star of the Show, country music legend finally shares a definitive look at the quintessential performances that jumpstarted her career as one of the world’s most dazzling and beloved performers. Featuring engaging stories and memories from Parton’s dynamic life behind the microphone, this exquisitely photographed book spotlights her formative performances and star-making moments, from singing in front of her parents on a woodpile back home in Tennessee to making her debut with Porter Wagoner, from breaking on her own at state fairs to performing for millions of fans on tours, from making her onscreen debut in 9 to 5 to playing to 2023 Dallas Cowboys halftime show and stepping onto new stages today. Along the way, Dolly offers insight into touring, singing, instruments, and high-profile collaborations with artists like Kenny Rogers, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, and much MORE.

GOOD LOOKIN’ COOKIN’: A YEAR OF MEALS – A LIFETIME OF FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND FOOD [A COOKBOOK] by Dolly Parton and Rachel Parton George

“Hey, good lookin’—what ya got cookin’?”

This is what Dolly Parton sings to her sister Rachel Parton George whenever she walks into her kitchen. It’s what you do when a love for good music and good food runs in the family.

In Good Lookin’ Cookin’ Dolly and Rachel share tips for hosting events all year long, including twelve multi-course menus of cherished recipes for New Year’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and more. You’ll learn how much butter or whipped cream goes into a “Dolly Dollop,” what condiment is almost always on the table at Parton family meals, and what special dish Rachel makes at Dolly’s request every year for her birthday. Recipes include American classics such as Country Ham and Biscuits, Barbecue Spare Ribs, Family Favorite Meatloaf, Slaw of Many Colors, Watermelon Fruit Salad, Mac and Cheese, and Strawberry Shortcake. Filled with more than 80 delicious dishes as well as photographs of Dolly and Rachel cooking and hosting all year long, Good Lookin’ Cookin’ is a treasured cookbook that will make you feel like part of the Parton family.

BEHIND THE SEAMS: MY LIFE IN RHINESTONES by Dolly Parton, Holly George-Warren, Rebecca Seaver

A beautiful celebration of Dolly Parton’s iconic sense of style through entertaining personal stories and 450 full-color photographs, including exclusive images from her private costume archive.

In Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones, global superstar Dolly Parton shares, for the first time, the full story behind her lifelong passion for fashion, including how she developed her own, distinctly Dolly style, which has defied convention and endeared her to fans around the world. Featuring behind-the-scenes stories from Dolly Parton’s life and career, and the largest reveal of her private costume archive, this gorgeously photographed book spotlights her most unforgettable looks from the 1960s to now. The sky-high heels, famous wigs, bold makeup, eye-catching stage clothes—she shares them all. Along the way, Parton discusses memorable outfits from her past, from the clothes her mother would sew out of feed sacks (including her “Coat of Many Colors”) and the bold dresses and hairdos that shook up Nashville, to the bunny suit on the cover of Playboy, evening wear at Studio 54, costumes from her most famous film and TV roles, and the daring styles that continue to entertain and inspire today.

DREAM MORE: CELEBRATE THE DREAMER IN YOU by Dolly Parton

The legendary Dolly Parton shares her heartfelt hopes and dreams for everyone.

Expanding on the popular commencement speech Dolly Parton gave at the University of Tennessee, Dream More is a deeper and richer exploration of the personal philosophy she has forged over the course of her astonishing career as a singer, songwriter, performer, and philanthropist. Dolly elaborates on the four great hopes she wants us all to embrace: Dream more, Learn more, Care more, and Be more. She offers examples from her own life, from her childhood in the hills of eastern Tennessee to her life as the iconic performer she is today.

FOR YOUNGER READERS

COAT OF MANY COLORS by Dolly Parton, Brooke Boynton-Hughes

Dolly Parton lends the lyrics of her classic song “Coat of Many Colors” to this heartfelt picture book for young readers.

Country music legend Dolly Parton’s rural upbringing in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee provides the backdrop for this special picture book. Using lyrics from her classic song “Coat of Many Colors,” the book tells the story of a young girl in need of a warm winter coat. When her mother sews her a coat made of rags, the girl is mocked by classmates for being poor. But Parton’s trademark positivity carries through to the end as the girl realizes that her coat was made with love “in every stitch.” Beautiful illustrations pair with Parton’s poetic lyrics in this heartfelt picture book sure to speak to all young readers.

DAZZLIN’ DOLLY: THE SONGWRITING, HIT-SINGING, GUITAR-PICKING DOLLY PARTON by Suzanne Slade, Edwin Fotheringham

This inspirational and dazzlin’ story of Dolly Parton—noted singer, songwriter, and humanitarian—follows her rise to fame, from her beginnings in East Tennessee to performing to thousands at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Dolly is a little girl with a BIG voice. Music fills Dolly’s heart so plumb full she has to let it out! She’ll even sing to her cornhusk dolls or a pen full of pigs. She makes her own drum from a pot and her own guitar from a broken mandolin. But what Dolly dreams of is performing for a real audience—people who would hear her sing, and applaud! And when she gets her big break at age ten, the soul-singin’ and big-dreamin’ Dolly discovers she’s scared to sing on stage in front of all those people. Will she summon up all of her courage and make it to the stage of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville? Young readers will learn about Dolly’s early history, her endless creativity, and her plucky perseverance in this entertaining picture book that’s perfect for fans of all ages.

For more on these and related titles visit the collection Dolly Parton

With special thanks to Katie Kipe for her title research!