Some of Teesside's most vulnerable infants and their families have experienced a truly special literary event at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. Last week, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) hosted author and illustrator Hannah Graham for the launch of her new picture book, Looking Through the Plastic, which aims to provide comfort and support to families navigating the challenging journey of premature birth.
A Personal Mission to Support Families
During her heartfelt visit to the hospital, Hannah Graham not only introduced her new publication but also created personalised caricatures in pen, ink, and watercolours for staff and parents present at the launch. The author explained that her work stems from personal experience, designed specifically to help families during difficult hospital stays where physical contact with their newborn might be limited.
"Reading is such a powerful way for families to bond," Hannah emphasised. "This becomes especially crucial in challenging situations like a neonatal unit stay, where parents may not always be able to hold or touch their baby directly. Books help establish structure and routine while providing a welcome distraction from the inevitable stresses of the neonatal experience."
National Literacy Trust's Generous Donation
In a significant show of support, the National Literacy Trust in Middlesbrough is donating 100 copies of Looking Through the Plastic to families staying at the NICU. This generous contribution continues the organisation's decade-long commitment to supporting parents of premature babies through specially curated packs containing books, activities, and essential information.
Allison Potter, manager of the National Literacy Trust in Middlesbrough, highlighted the importance of this ongoing partnership: "We have collaborated with the neonatal team at James Cook University Hospital for over ten years, witnessing firsthand the profound impact of supporting families to share books and stories together."
"Reading together can be an excellent way for parents and newborns to bond and develop routines during what is often a frightening and unsettling time," Allison continued. "By gifting these 100 copies of Hannah's book to families in the neonatal unit, we hope to provide genuine comfort during their hospital stay and help them feel less isolated."
A Model for Neonatal Care Nationwide
The approach pioneered at James Cook University Hospital has become a model for other neonatal units across the United Kingdom, demonstrating how books and songs can facilitate bonding between parents and babies within controlled clinical environments. This innovative method helps create meaningful connections during what can otherwise feel like a highly medicalised experience.
Neonatal nurse consultant Lynne Paterson expressed her enthusiasm for the book launch: "We were absolutely delighted when approached about launching Hannah's book on our neonatal unit. Looking Through the Plastic fills an important gap for siblings of children in neonatal care, serving multiple valuable purposes."
"The book enables siblings to read to their new baby brother or sister, helping them feel involved in the family's journey," Lynne explained. "Simultaneously, it supports the physiological benefits that reading to babies provides, including promoting calmness, reducing stress during their unit stay, and enhancing bonding and learning opportunities."
The book Looking Through the Plastic is now available for purchase through Hannah Graham's online store, extending its comforting message beyond the hospital walls to families across the region and beyond.
