NICU Thank Yous

We've been so blessed to have people bring new and gently used (like new) books for the babies in the NICU. Parents are happy to get the books and some have commented that they wish they had known the information on the insert we give with the books when they had their first child. We give each baby five books because it is a good start to creating an avid reader.

Here is the insert in case you are interested:

One of the best gifts you can give your baby is to read to him or her every day.  It is never too early to start reading to your baby.

Advantages of reading to your baby:

 Time spent reading to your baby is time spent cuddling and bonding.
 Your baby loves to hear your voice.
 Hearing your voice helps your baby develop listening skills.
 Reading to your baby will increase your baby’s vocabulary.
 Reading to your baby increases his or her attention span.
 Babies who are read to do better in school.
 Your baby will better understand story structure.
 Reading to your baby helps create a lifelong love of books.

When you read to your baby, point out colors, animals, shapes, facial expressions, and things to find on the page. Make the sounds the animals make and use different voices for different characters. Count items and find letters of the alphabet. Be willing to be silly and have fun while you read. Surround your child with books. In the beginning they need books that are durable – board books. This allows your child to handle books without worrying about damaging them.
We hope your baby enjoys this complimentary collection of storybooks.

We received a thank you from a baby: 

*Photo used with parents' permission.

Owen is being read to even before he comes home from the hospital, which means he has begun his literary journey and is on his way to a better attention span and is acquiring language skills. Click on the picture to read the note in larger font.

Thanks for the donations:

In the last month, the following books have arrived for the babies from generous benefactors. I thank everyone who helps us continue this project.

At the Bloggess.com, she encouraged people to give books to others, and Anne Marie, picked our cause to give to. Thank you, Anne Marie.

My friend Kathryn, bought books from Usborne for her grandchildren to help us earn free books, and then she bought the sale books and gave them to the NICU. Thank you, Kathryn.

My friend Shannon, brought me two boxes of books. These were new enough and the right level to go to the NICU. The rest of the books were given to a book exchange at Roy Elementary for kids who desperately need books. Thanks, Shannon.

My friend, neighbor, and partner in book buying obsessiveness, is Michelle. Once a month, we make the rounds of several thrift shops and buy too many books (only because we are out of shelf space). She is always on the lookout for books for the NICU. Here are her recent contributions of new and used books. Thank you, Michelle.

If you'd like to contribute to our book drive, here is how you can help.

1. You can order books for your own children from an online Usborne book party and the proceeds will go to purchase books for the NICU. I've received over $350.00 in free books for the NICU from people buying books for their own families through my web link. Usborne is really good to their hostesses, and they have great board books for babies. Click on the link: Usborne book sale to benefit NICU The books you order will be shipped directly to your home. You can then give them to your children, grandchildren, nieces, or nephews. The free books from the hostess benefits go to the NICU.

2. We have set up a baby registry at Amazon.com with many books listed for the NICU babies. Some of these books only cost 2.50. Many of these are classics that all children should have. Click on this link if you'd like to help provide books for the NICU: Catherine Crosby Building Lifelong Readers Book Registry. If you order books for us, they will be shipped directly to me, and I will package and send them to the NICU. English and Spanish books are both needed as some of our babies' first language is Spanish. It is important for these little ones to be proficient in their first language.


Read to a child today even if that child is you.