Dolly Parton To Publish Third Children’s Book Featuring Her God-Dog, Billy The Kid

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Dolly Parton will release Dolly Parton’s Billy the Kid Dances His Heart Out, the third standalone children’s book in her New York Times-bestselling series featuring her god-dog, the French bulldog Billy the Kid, on Dec. 2.

In the new Penguin Workshop book, French bulldog and musical superstar Billy the Kid faces one of his biggest fears: dancing in front of an audience. To prepare for his gig opening for Dolly Parton’s Doggy Dance Pawty, Billy enrolls in dance lessons and is paw-struck by his teacher, Bella, who is as graceful as she is beautiful. But trying to win Bella’s attention causes Billy to stumble even more—can he nail the dance routine and catch Bella’s eye, all before the big dance pawty? Parton penned an original song “Bella” specifically for the book, available on Dec. 2 in tandem with the book release.

“I am excited to introduce Bella into Billy’s life in our new book!” exclaims Parton. “Creating stories that are fun, real, and carry life lessons hopefully makes it meaningful for children and their parents to experience the joy of reading together.”

“There is no greater joy than working with Dolly on a book about dogs, dancing, and love!  And to get a brand-new song from Dolly in the process has been a dream come true,” says Francesco Sedita, President & Publisher, Penguin Workshop. “We’re so excited to give Dolly—and her god-dog Billy—a brand new stage.”

Parton’s previous children’s books include Coat Of Many Colors (1994) and I Am A Rainbow (2009). In 2023, she introduced the beloved new character Billy the Kid in Billy the Kid Makes It Big. The book was an instant New York Times bestseller and inspired her festive 2024 follow-up, Billy the Kid Comes Home for Christmas. 

The book will be available both in hardcover and as an audiobook narrated by Parton herself.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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