Friends of the NICU book project

Today I want to recognize two people who love our NICU book project idea as much as I do. They consistently have their eyes open for low cost books for the babies.

The first is my neighbor, Michelle. She is a former early childhood educator and my partner in crime when it comes to book shopping. We are bad influences on each other necessitating the purchase of more bookshelves for both of us. I've told her I can't go on a book spree until I buy more bookcases.

She understands how important it is for children to be surrounded by books. She loves the idea that parents are using these books to read to the their babies while they are still in the NICU, allowing them to hear literary language, poetry, and their parents' voices.

Here are her latest contributions:

Angela Jensen, one of Angie's coworkers, gave us 19 more board books for the NICU. She sees first hand the value of having parents read to the littlest of babies. I haven't met her, but she has donated many books to our cause, and Angie says she is wonderful. Board books are great for this age group, and I like to put at least one in every packet.

The picture on the Animal Babies book sucks me right in.

Because of their generous donations combined with books I purchase, I have ten more packets to deliver to the NICU the next time I see Angie - that means fifty more books reach our most vulnerable little ones. I also have board books for future packets. 

If you'd like to contribute to our book drive for NICU babies, here is how you can help:

1. You can order books for your own children from our 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 this 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. Books make a great addition to your child's Easter basket. 

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 to me, and I will package and send them to the NICU.