You Are a Diamond: A Book for the Littlest Dolly Parton Fans

PreS-Gr 1–In an aptly titled book for children, many of the pages are filled with inspirational words, using Dolly Parton’s life as a backdrop. At the beginning, readers see a young Parton learning how to play the guitar; above her are the words “You are fabulous, baby!” From there, the colorful illustrations chronicle Parton’s journey from singing in church to debuting at the Grand Ole Opry to becoming the country music icon that she is today. The book’s sparse text allows Bryant’s gorgeous, vibrant illustrations to take center stage. Though the inspirational sentences are simple, they’re helpful reminders that everyone can shine brightly just like Parton. At the end of the book is a note that briefly summarizes Parton’s career and some of the real moments featured on previous pages. Both younger and older fans of Parton will love looking at key points in her career, though the book is too brief to capture its full extent. The illustrations depict characters with various skin tones.