A baby’s first day in the world can be a joyous moment with new experiences and wonders awaiting them. Now, thanks to a generous donation from the Mike and Leanne Haddad Family Foundation, newborns and their families at Bellin Hospital can start their new journey with a special selection of gifted books.
Launched Jan. 1, 2026, Books for Babies ensures that every baby born at Bellin Hospital, including the tiniest warriors in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), begins their journey with a story. It’s a gift that celebrates both baby and parents as they bond, grow and learn together.
Each package is carefully designed with two books for baby, including Nancy Tillman's book "On the Night You Were Born," available in English and Spanish, a baby faces book that helps baby recognize simple shapes, a gift for parents and a journal with gentle prompts to encourage parents to write down their thoughts and feelings.
“Reading has always been a big love of mine, and I know that reading to your child early on is not only impactful for their learning, but also with bonding,” Leanne Haddad said. “Books for Babies is about giving back to our community and creating meaningful connections between parents and their children from day one. We wanted the packages to be supportive of both the baby and their parents.”
As the program grows and new books are chosen, organizers will look for ways to include more languages to ensure everyone has an opportunity to read in their native language. The initiative will expand to HSHS St. Vincent Hospital later this year, bringing the joy of reading to even more families.
“Books for Babies is a great opportunity to start building bonds and encouraging literacy early on,” adds Molly Vandervest, President of The Bellin Health Foundation. “We are grateful to the Haddad Family Foundation for having this be the first chapter to reading for our kiddos. It’s a great partner to our Prescription for Reading program that will continue that enthusiasm for reading as our children grow.”
This program is made possible through an in-kind gift from the Mike and Leanne Haddad Family Foundation, with support from The Bellin Health Foundation.
If you are interested in how you can help encourage literacy at any stage of a child’s life, please consider donating to the Prescription for Reading program.