Dolly Parton Announces New Children’s Book Based On Dog

Dolly Parton will publish a new picture book about her God-dog, Billy the Kid, on April 25, 2023.

Dolly said in a press release, "I am so proud to bring this book and the message it conveys to life." She added, "Years back, I wrote a song 'Makin' Fun Ain't Funny' for my children's album 'I Believe In You.' I wanted kids to understand how harmful bullying can be to someone. I hope this is the first of many books with Billy."

"Billy the Kid Makes It Big" is aimed at readers ages 4-7 and features illustrations by MacKenzie Haley. It tells the story of a dog who loves barking to the beat of country music and sets out to make it big as a country music star in Nashville. Teaching kids about overcoming bullying, the book will be published by Penguin Workshop, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers.

Parton posted an image of the new book on Instagram. She shared, "Guess what! My new book 'Billy the Kid Makes it Big' featuring my god-dog @btkthefrenchie hits stores on April 25, and you can pre-order it right now through the link in my story! I think it's pretty cute."

Fans are thrilled with the news. One responded to the post, "What an incredible thing to have coming from a fine singer like Miss Dolly Parton." Another fan gushed, "My nieces will love this, Dolly." The book's illustrator commented, "I'm excited to be illustrating this book and bringing Billy's story to life!"

Back in September, Dolly announced the launch of a line aptly named "Doggy Parton." The line features dog apparel, accessories, toys, and more. "Doggy Parton" is a partnership with SportPet Designs that features a little "Dolly" inspiration that's sure to get tails waggin'!

A part of the proceeds from "Doggy Parton" will be going to Willa B. Farms – a rescue center that provides a loving home to displaced animals of all kinds.

She said of the new line, "'Puppy Love' was my very first record, and six decades later, my love for pets is stronger than ever. This inspired me to start my own line of Doggy Parton apparel, accessories, toys, and more with a little 'Dolly' flair.' Part of the proceeds will support Willa B Farms, a rescue where animals in need find never-ending love. Don't we all need that?'"

Dolly Parton's Christmas music has been a part of my life since I was a young teenager. Not a Christmas goes by since that I have not listened to her many Christmas albums, starting with my favorite holiday album of all time, her 1984 project with Kenny Rogers, Once Upon A Christmas. I first bought that on vinyl with babysitting money. I saved up just for it. Since then, I have purchased the album as a cassette, then a CD, and then digitally through Apple Music. It has always been a part of Christmas for my family and me.

I have been so fortunate in my career to have interviewed Dolly many times. Often, we talked about Christmas and the holidays. In an interview from 2016, I believe she said it best about Christmastime and family. Dolly told me then, "I just want families to feel closer together because we've just kind of scattered so much as a family because of all the new age and new technology, which is wonderful to have all these great things available to us, but I think we lose a lot and have lost a lot about family." She added, "So, more than anything, I just want people to feel the joy of Christmas and what Christmas is really about, which is Jesus and about just that love of family and just feeling happy."

Without further ado, here are Dolly's 20 best Christmas songs.