Non-Fiction Book Review - 'Dazzle Like Dolly: Games, Activities, Quizzes & Fun Inspired by the Queen of Country' by Jessica MacLeish, Susana Castro (Artist), Chris Kwon (Artist)

I was sceptical of this at first, but 'Dazzle Like Dolly' is a sweet, comforting, informative, educational, emotionally educational, and empathically educational activity book for children (and adults, too).

It isn't all sparkles, sunshine and saccharinity, either; it isn't childish, nor is it sanitised and puritanized; it tells the truth regarding aspects of Dolly Parton's life and her achievements, up to 2024.

'Dazzle Like Dolly' is all at once an activity book, a quiz book, a writing guidebook and notebook, a Dolly quotes and wisdom book, a Dolly "pep talk" book, and a self-help, counselling and therapy book. You've got to love (and need) its optimistic and positive worldview and attitude, while at the same time it omits and censors nothing. There is a realism to its optimism.

Exploring Dolly's philosophy, humanity, varied feelings, successes and lessons - both personal and career-oriented - it is a very good life coach and tool to have around.

'Dazzle Like Dolly' teaches the importance of being yourself, believing in yourself, putting yourself out there, staying true to yourself and being open and honest, standing up for yourself, working hard to make your dreams come true, aiming higher, maintaining healthy coping mechanisms and strategies, balancing yourself, taking breaks, taking the time to enjoy life and have fun, and helping others in need; and the importance of creativity, philanthropy, empathy, compassion, and kindness - all reflecting Dolly herself.

'Dazzle Like Dolly' is just as inspirational and aspirational as she is.

If only there were more people like Dolly Parton in the world. It would definitely, irrefutably be better.

Dolly's best, perhaps least well-known quotes founded in 'Dazzle Like Dolly':


'Everybody should look and be whatever makes them comfortable so their inner self...can shine.'

'I love being able to do things that create opportunities for others...'

'I'll go to my grave doin' everything I can to make the world a better place and myself a better person.'

'Leave something good in every day.'

'Create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more.'

'I'm not going to limit myself just because people won't accept the fact that I can do something else.'

'I'm not afraid to try anything, and I'm certainly not afraid to fail.'

'Whatever it [processing and channelling feelings] is, I can say it in a song, in my own way.'

'People will use you as long as you let them.'

'I've often said I don't lose my temper as much as I use it.'

'When I'm mad, I'm mad all over. I'm just a person: I like to experience whatever the feeling is and whatever I'm going through.'

'If you see someone without a smile today, give 'em yours.'

'I've always said I will step over you or around you to get where I'm going, but I will never step on you.'

'I write what I write, say what I say, 'cause I feel what I feel.'

'As soon as you realize something is a problem, you should fix it...I would never dream of hurting somebody on purpose.'

'In all relationships--no matter what they are--you have to respect each other.'

'I love peace and harmony, but when you step in my territory, I will call you on it.'

'I look totally artificial, but I am totally real, as a writer, as a professional, as a human being.'

'I always count my blessings far more than I count my money.'

'Everybody has their own journey. They have their own way of doing things. And who am I to judge?'

'I think everybody should be allowed to be who they are, and to love who they love.'

'If people want to pass judgement, they're already sinning. The sin of judging is just as bad as any other sin they might say somebody else is committing. I try to love everybody.'

'I'd rather be an honest person than a good liar.'

'I've had to go against all kinds of people through the years just to be myself.'

'I'm very real where it counts, and that's inside.'

'You have to be able to relate to the things you write about, but you don't have to live them personally.'


Here are just a few of my other book reviews about the iconic Queen of Country:


'Pocket Dolly Wisdom: Witty Quotes and Wise Words from Dolly Parton'

'Everything I Need to Know I Learned from Dolly Parton: Country Wisdom for Life's Little Challenges'

'Dolly Parton, Star of the Show: My Life on Stage'


Final Score (for 'Dazzle Like Dolly'): 4/5

EDIT: How fitting that this is my 1250th review! For thirteen years now I've been doing book reviews!