UConn John Dempsey Hospital has teamed up with Read to Grow to launch the Books for Babies program. This initiative gives families of newborns a free book and resources on early literacy before they leave the hospital.
The program started on November 6 in the labor and delivery unit, aiming to help every baby born at UConn. “Our message is simple,” said Suzannah Holsenbeck, Executive Director of Read to Grow. “Read, sing, talk, and play with your baby. It helps grow their brain and supports healthy development.”
Each year, around 29,000 newborns in Connecticut receive the book Welcome to the World through this program. Since its start 25 years ago, Read to Grow has expanded from one hospital to many birthing centers across the state. They also distribute over 100,000 books annually to children and families through their Books for Kids and Bookmobile programs.
Holsenbeck explained that the partnership began with the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where books were given to parents to encourage bonding. With this program’s expansion, all new parents will receive a book, helping them nurture their child’s language development from day one.
Dr. Shabnam Lainwala, director of neonatal programs at Connecticut Children’s, supports this effort. “It’s fantastic to see this expand hospital-wide,” she said. “Reading is crucial at every stage of development.”
Dr. David Sink, a neonatologist at UConn Health, noted the program’s timing is perfect as the hospital’s maternity services are growing rapidly, seeing about a 12% increase each year. More families will benefit from the message that literacy starts at birth.
Caryl Ryan, Chief Operating Officer at UConn Health, emphasized how this program connects with their mission. “We’re proud to reach families across Connecticut and help close the literacy gap early,” she said.
The Bookmobile visited the campus as part of the launch, giving away free books to children ages 0–7 and celebrating the joy of reading with families and staff.
This collaboration aims to ensure every child in Connecticut starts life with the best possible chance for success. By making reading a priority from the very beginning, they are setting the stage for lifelong learning and growth.
As Holsenbeck reminded everyone, “It’s never too early to start reading to your baby.” Research supports this, showing that early reading helps with brain development and future academic success. So, grab a book and start sharing stories—it’s a gift that lasts a lifetime.
