Thanks to the partnership with country star Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Wheatley Foundation has now distributed 35,000 books to 1645 children under five in its communities. The project set up by the singer sees children under the age of five sent a specifically chosen book free of charge every month until their fifth birthday.

Dolly Parton said: “You can never get enough books into the hands of enough children.”

The books are available to tenants of Wheatley Homes in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dumfries and Galloway.

Nicole Cassell, 27, from Toryglen in Glasgow, said her daughter, Carys, 4, loves getting her books through the post. She said: “We’ve been getting the books ever since she was born, and she looks forward to it. She’s got her own bookshelf and gets really excited about getting her new book every month.

“It’s also really helped with bonding as I read her a book every night at bedtime. It’s been really good.”

Professor Paddy Gray OBE, Wheatley Foundation chair, added: “It’s phenomenal how many children aged five and under have been able to access a free book every month through this partnership.

“The feedback we get from parents and guardians is really positive. Their children love the books and look forward to receiving them.”

Children under five who live in a Wheatley home are eligible for the books. Customers wishing to register their children should speak to their housing officer for more details.

For World Book Day today, youngsters are being encouraged to Read Your Way and, more importantly, have fun doing it.

This year’s campaign comes after research by the National Literacy Trust found fewer than half of children say they enjoy reading – the lowest level since 2005. And reading enjoyment is at its lowest level in children from more disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Wheatley Foundation was set up and funded by Wheatley Group and its subsidiaries to benefit Wheatley customers and communities. The Imagination Library is just one of a series of projects aiming to help local communities have better lives.