Busken Bakery has sold more than 5,700 Dolly Parton-themed cookies in four days, with plans to donate over $8,000 to the late singer's Imagination Library.

The family-owned bakery launched the tribute cookies on Friday, Aug. 28, three days after Parton died in late August. All proceeds go to the children's literacy program Parton founded in 1995, inspired by her father's inability to read and write. The Cincinnati Enquirer first reported the fundraiser's early results on Monday, Aug. 31.

"Every once in a while, an opportunity comes along where we can use what we do best to do something bigger than just sell cookies," Dan Busken, president of the bakery, told the Enquirer.

Busken said the bakery is proud to donate all proceeds from the specialty cookies to "help put books into the hands of kids."

The Imagination Library mails a free book each month to enrolled children from birth to age five. Nationally, one in six children under five receives a free book each month through the program, according to Local 12. As of March 2025, the program had delivered more than 20 million books to Ohio children since its state launch in August 2019. Hamilton County alone has received more than 1.6 million books, the Enquirer reported.

The cookies are available at all Busken locations, including the Hyde Park store at 2675 Madison Road, and can be shipped through the bakery's online ordering page.

Customers should call ahead to confirm availability.

Busken Bakery, a fourth-generation Cincinnati bakery operating since 1928, plans to keep selling the cookies as long as demand holds. Dan Busken, a grandson of founder Joe Busken Sr., also told the Enquirer the bakery has discussed a second release on Sept. 25, a nod to Parton's iconic song "9 to 5." That round would feature a different Dolly design.

Families can enroll children in the Imagination Library at imaginationlibrary.com. The first book arrives eight to 10 weeks after sign-up.