Dolly Parton To Release Inspirational Children's Christmas Book In October

By Timothy Yap Apr 14, 2024 06:15 AM EDT

Dolly Parton's Billy the Kid Comes Home for Christmas, a new standalone sequel to her picture book, Dolly Parton's Billy the Kid Makes It Big, is set for release Oct. 1 from Penguin Young Readers.

Featuring Dolly's beloved god-dog and inspired by her song "Comin' Home for Christmas," the heart-warming tale about the true meaning of Christmas follows Billy the Kid, a French bulldog who has everything he could ever want: a place in Nashville, a great band and even a cross-country tour. But when Billy's band is scheduled to perform at Barkafeller Center on Christmas Day, he must decide what matters to him most, fame or family?

"I always love celebrating Christmas with my family and of course my god-dog Billy," Dolly says Dolly. "Since he's a big star now, he deserves his own holiday special! Using my 'Comin' Home for Christmas' lyrics, I wanted to tell a story about the importance of family and friends, especially during the holidays. I hope this is a book families will be excited to read every year for Christmas."

"Dolly is making sure that her beloved God-Dog Billy will never have a 'Hard Candy Christmas,'" says Francesco Sedita, President, Penguin Workshop. "This book is pure holiday joy, and we hope that families will enjoy it for generations to come."

Dolly's previous children's books include Coat Of Many Colors (1994) and I Am A Rainbow (2009). In 2023, Dolly introduced the new character Billy the Kid, inspired by her favorite god-dog, in Billy the Kid Makes It Big, which became a New York Times bestselling book.