Dolly Parton aimed to highlight the "importance of family and friends" during the holiday season with her latest children's book. The country music legend has written *Billy the Kid Comes Home for Christmas*, a standalone sequel to her bestselling picture book, *Billy the Kid Makes It Big*.
In an Instagram post announcing the project, Dolly shared, "I always love celebrating Christmas with my family, and of course, my god-dog @btkthefrenchie. Using my *Comin' Home for Christmas* lyrics, I wanted to tell a story that emphasizes the importance of family and friends, especially during the holidays."
The heartwarming story follows Billy the Kid, a French bulldog, who gets the chance to perform at "Barkafeller Center" on Christmas Day. However, Billy faces a tough decision: pursuing fame or prioritizing his family.
Dolly added, "I hope this is a book families will be eager to read every Christmas."
Co-written with Erica S. Perl and illustrated by MacKenzie Haley, *Billy the Kid Comes Home for Christmas* is now available for purchase. Francesco Sedita, president of Penguin Workshop, expressed excitement for the release, noting, "Dolly is ensuring that her beloved god-dog Billy will never have a Hard Candy Christmas. This book is pure holiday joy, and we hope families will cherish it for years to come."
Dolly has authored other children's books, including *Coat of Many Colors* (1994) and *I Am A Rainbow* (2009). Through her Imagination Library, she has donated over 254 million books to children worldwide.
