Who Is Dolly Parton? (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (Who Was...?) by True Kelley

Who Was . . . ? Series

by Stephen Marchesi

Born in a little cabin in Tennessee, Dolly Parton always dreamed big, and she was right to! She wrote her first song at age five and became a country music star by the time she was in her early twenties. Of course, her success didn't stop there. Dolly Parton is also an actress, author, businesswoman, and philanthropist whose "Imagination Library" reading initiative reaches children throughout the US, Canada, and the UK. There is simply no one like Dolly Parton!

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Childrens, Music, Middle Grade, History, Biography Memoir

Library Binding

First published January 23, 2014

About the author

Stephen Marchesi is an artist who lives in New York. He has created illustrations for textbooks, magazines, and children's books.

As a child, Marchesi drew his own comics. While a student at High School of Art and Design, he worked for Warren Publications. In 1973 he graduated from Pratt Institute. Afterward he spent half a year working as an assistant art director for an ad agency, and then began his career as a freelance illustrator. Marchesi cited his primary influences as being the cover illustrations and interior artwork created by Newell Convers Wyeth for novels published by Charles Scribner's Sons, and movie posters of the 1950s and 1960s.

In 1978 Marchesi was hired by Random House to create new cover art for 12 of the paperback editions of its Three Investigators series. Of the nearly 500 book covers that Marchesi has illustrated, he said that he had more freedom while doing these 12 than for any others that he has ever done. These covers were also the last time that he used watercolor - he later switched to acrylic and oil. [wikipedia]

Reviews

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was darling. Dolly Parton is a fabulous human. My girls and I loved reading about her. She is definitely a music genius and prolific song writer. Her philanthropy and passion for children’s literacy is beautiful.

[Laurie B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always liked Dolly Parton, and I've been to Dollywood, which houses a museum about her (you should definitely visit). So I already knew a lot about her. Still, this book taught me more! She's just a fantastic person - talented, savvy, and generous. I love that the author mentioned Dolly's Imagination Library, which is a wonderful literacy program.

This book gets three stars because it felt kind of choppy and not as well organized as other titles in this series. But five stars go to Dolly Parton herself!

[MARY MASON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. I liked how it focused on her business smarts and her other accomplishments, not just her singing and songwriting.

[Michal Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

I see why these biographies are so popular with 6th graders at my middle school. These are easy to read but highly informative and there are detailed sections of text explaining places/events/people that are pertinent to the person's story. My family vacations each year to Gatlinburg so this was very interesting to me anyway on a personal level. I can't wait to purchase some more from this series to keep my students engaged in reading informational text.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great overview of Dolly Parton's life and music career. I loved learning about her early life living very poor and how she worked her way up to becoming one of the biggest country music singers. I also loved learning about the causes she supports such as childhood literacy. Such an amazing person!

[Nathaniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it. At age 10 she was singing all over the place. And when she was a little old people were dropping out of high school and everyone who graduated, she would give $500 dollars.

[Mia Luellen]

I think that it was a great book because it showed what a amazing women she is.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dolly Parton is the best so much because she is my favorite friend and my family and she can visit us one day at our school or house in the neighborhood and in the country's and and cities!

[Clare Webber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Dolly although her childhood is so sad this summer i went to Dollywood I just love her so much! My favorite song is coat of many colors. I feel sad that the kids where laughing at her.😢

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series and I loved learning about the indomitable Dolly!

I had no idea how she grew up. There were nine kids and they had very little money. They usually couldn't even afford shoes for the kids. It seems like Dolly always stayed close to her family and was thrilled to make money so that she could help them.

That seems to sum up Dolly's whole life - helping people. She's always been generous and 100% true to herself.

Recommend to anyone!

[Mo Hoenig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so sweet - cannot wait to give as a gift!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dolly Parton is such an interesting person to read about. She has accomplished so much.

[Isabella Remigio]

Who Is Dolly Parton? By True Kelley is a very interesting book. This book caught my attention because on the cover of the book I saw a lady with a lot of pink on and big blonde hair and was like ‘’I want to know who this person is’’. Dolly Parton is a person who grew up poor and became a star. She had a hard childhood , she had to walk 2 miles to get to school! Dolly Parton was born on January 19, 1946 in Sevier County, Tennessee, she starts getting noticed in 1956. It was a hard time getting to the top but, she did it. Dolly started on music then acting! She was very active and always busy, she loved what she was doing and never stops. Dolly has won many awards for singing and acting. I started reading this book not knowing anything about Dolly Parton but, know I know a lot. Read the Book!

[Philip Carlson · Rating 3 out of 5]

still like the series, this one's well written as the earlier series. liked the treatment Dolly gets. didn't know much about her before. I find it interesting that the book mentions that she likes the way she looks several times without mentioning BM (body modification). I really don't think that's the kind of thing kids should have to deal with right now, but I do think it is tragic that we have a society that requires do much make up and BM to 'like the way you look'. Dolly is not a good role model, IMO, from what I know of her, for self acceptance. good roll model for lots of other things. hard, smart work, compassion and independence.

[Kaleb Harding · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read " Who Was Dolly Parton" by True Kelly. As a kid she was very poor. When she was born she was in her house and a doctor came. She was a great singer right away and her parents realized her talent. She grew up and was a great singer.

I liked this book a lot and I would read it again but I need to focus on other books. I didn't know a lot about her. I loved how she went from poor to very rich.

I would recommend this book to people who love music or that would want to learn more about this book.

[Slow Man · Rating 5 out of 5]

The more I read the more I realized I know nothing.
I was not brought up in a country music scene but a book like this has opened door to many readers to appreciate country music and one very important country music lady is Ms Dolly Parton. She is a very talented artist who works very hard to become a living legend and she can inspire so many young people to dream more. I am very pleased to learn that she's a book lady who encourage the nation to finish school. That is impressive. I hope more people get to read this volume.

[Marianne Cone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m reading the books my kids read. This one was done very well and was tastefully written. When it was describing on of the movies that Dolly has acted in, it glossed over it and didn’t mention the title of the movie but described Dolly’s experience on set. I googled it, and found that the movie was called ‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.’ Glad they chose not to mention that in a book for kids! Love this bio series, my kids are learning a lot.

[Mary Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Born in a little cabin in Tennessee, Dolly Parton always dreamed big, and she was right to! She wrote her first song at age five and became a country music star by the time she was in her early twenties. Of course, her success didn't stop there. Dolly Parton is also an actress, author, businesswoman, and philanthropist whose "Imagination Library" reading initiative reaches ...more

[Patrician Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book shows how dreams can come true if you work towards them one step at a time. It also shows how there are good and bad times in everyone's life including celebrities and important figure heads.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was awesome, because she ended up famous. I love books that have happy endings. I felt bad for Willie May because she had to take care of the family. I'm glad her and her husband Carl are still married to each other. This book will be sad in the beginning but get much better in the end.

[Wendy Swenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read and good tool too.

I like Dolly's work a great deal. This little book is a good way to introduce Dolly to younger people. This is also useful tool to teach character traits. I like the short and factual books in this series. Well done!

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 6 of my Summer Reading Challenge to the students: A biography on Dolly Parton, the glitzy little lady who can sing, compose, and play many instruments. She is also one of the most astute business persons in the entertainment industry

[Aubrey Hitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always been a Dolly Parton fan and this book made me love her even more! It was so interesting to learn about the life behind the famous person. This book would be great for a young reader who is interested in famous singers or music in general.

[Raesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very educational, I felt like I learned a lot about her and her life. I also felt at times bored by information that I really did not want to know or that I was not interested in. I would recommend this book to someone who enjoys music and pop.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another library book shared by my niece. Enjoyed it very much. I didn’t realize how much music she has truly written and the extent of her businesses. Very intelligent women. Very good book for young readers.

[Daphne Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter picked this "Who Is..." book because Dolly looked pretty. I'm so glad we got to talk about such a complex and yet simple person. We even listened to some of her songs on You Tube to enhance the learning. Fun book.

[Caleb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Liked it

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

To say this book lived up to and went beyond my wildest expectations is an understatement. Can I give it 20 out of 5 stars? It was just that fun to read.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. I really want to go to Dolly's theme park
Love Ellie

[Rebecca Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read for elementary aged children!