Fans Line Up to Say ‘Hello Dolly’ : Celebrity: The famous country-Western singer and actress signs copies of her books for those willing to wait at South Coast Plaza.

Dolly Parton has told a lot of stories in her 27-year career in music, television and film.

But it was the story of her life and a children’s storybook that caused a sensation among holiday shoppers Sunday at South Coast Plaza.

More than 300 people, some arriving as early as 6 a.m., lined up for the book signing at Brentano’s Bookstore, where Parton stopped about noon. She signed copies of her autobiography, “Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business,” $12.50 on sale, and her new children’s book, “Coat of Many Colors,” $14, which is based on her hit song.

The Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter, who arrived in Costa Mesa as part of a book tour--there were stops in Seattle and Denver and she’s in Westwood today--said fan reaction to her books has been exciting for her.

“It’s always difficult writing your life story because you get into so many emotional things,” she said before settling into a chair to start signing a stack of books.

But, she added with a laugh: “It was better than going to a therapist.”

Parton greeted her fans, some who wore Dolly concert T-shirts and rhinestone-studded cowboy hats, with her trademark no-nonsense attitude and down-home style. Even before the store doors opened, the line stretched past several stores and outside the mall along the walls of Sears.

“Well hello, that’s the way to go,” Parton said to the first fan, who came through the door in a wheelchair.

“I thought I’d met myself coming back,” she said to another fan, who could pass as her double.

While some bought their books in the store, which was closed to other sales during Parton’s 90-minute visit, most already had their copies in hand.

The autobiography marks the first time Parton has told the story of her life, from her tough but loving upbringing in rural Sevier County, Tenn.--she was the fourth of 12 children--to her big break working with Porter Wagoner.

She also looks back on her marriage of 28 years and on the Smoky Mountain traditions that have inspired many of her songs, including the hit “Coat of Many Colors,” which recalls the patchwork coat her mother made for her as a child.

Parton’s career includes 62 albums, which have sold more than 50 million copies worldwide, and starring roles in such films as “Nine to Five,” “Steel Magnolias” and “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.”

“I’ve always liked her, it’s just nice to see her close up,” said Frances Farrar of Lake Forest, who like many other fans said she planned on giving her signed books as Christmas presents.

“She was just so sweet,” said Tonia Stadler of Tustin, who waited more than five hours to get her two copies of “Dolly” signed. “She said, ‘Thank you for coming by.’ I said ‘ Thank you , Dolly.’ ”