intensive care

For World Book Day on 6 March 2025, Spread a Smile is proud to launch our Intensive Care Library Project, with the support of acclaimed British author, poet, and broadcaster, Michael Rosen.

The project will see Spread a Smile donate 20 book libraries to 13 NHS hospitals for families with children on intensive care and high dependency units to use and enjoy.

When a child is diagnosed with a serious illness, life can become very unsettled, scary and unfamiliar, controlled by schedules, treatment plans and prolonged hospital stays away from family and friends. Through our libraries, Spread a Smile will provide a way for children and their families to find comfort and calm through the familiar activity of reading together.

To launch the project, Spread a Smile’s Chief Executive, Lucy Jackson, and Visit Manager Debbie Tropp who spearheaded the project, were joined by Michael Rosen on a visit to an intensive care ward at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, one of the charity’s NHS hospital partners.

Michael said “Reading is an incredibly powerful art form which enables us to explore and access so many exciting subjects and adventures. From the day a baby is born, they are soaking up the sounds, sights, smells, tastes and touch of the world around them. Reading with children is a wonderful way of connecting with them, giving them something interesting to focus on, engage with and learn from. This shared experience can bring so much to both the child and the person reading to them as both are captured in that moment of discovery, sharing reactions and emotions as the story progresses.

“I am delighted to support the charity Spread a Smile as they launch their Intensive Care Library Project which will see 20 book libraries, filled with books and donated to 13 NHS hospitals for families with children on intensive care and high dependency units to borrow. Even in these most difficult of settings, where children are extremely unwell, parents and carers will be able to bring the wonder of reading to their child’s bedside, finding an opportunity to sit and share in the familiar act of reading together. It is a very special initiative which I have no doubt will bring a lot of comfort and one I am proud to be involved with.” 

Michael met staff on the ward, hearing how valuable the libraries will be for them and had the chance to see Spread a Smile singer and entertainer Rosie in action. He also met some of the families with children on PCCU, with the highlight of the afternoon being when families sat together for a special reading by Michael of his famous book ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’.

Selena, mother of 3-month-old Otis, said: “It was so nice to feel like we’re doing something normal that you do with your baby, because everything is so clinical. It’s all wires and stats so to just be parents with your baby having a story read is lovely.”

Alex, Otis’s dad, said: “We’ve been reading to Otis pretty much every day. We’re getting through the Roald Dahls and obviously we’ve read Going on a Bear Hunt a lot. It’s just great to take a moment to try and have a bit of normality.”

Janet Powell, Director of Nursing at Evelina London, said: “We are so grateful to Spread a Smile for this generous donation and brightening our week with this fantastic event. Michael Rosen has authored some of our patients’ favourite children’s books, and it was such a privilege to have him come read to us.

“At Evelina London, we are dedicated to ensuring that children have the best possible experience in hospital. Our visits from Spread a Smile help create a relaxing environment and bring so much joy to all the patients, families and staff on our wards.”

Alongside Evelina London, 12 other NHS hospitals across the country will receive book libraries including Great Ormond Street Hospital, Southampton Children’s Hospital Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

Spread a Smile Chief Executive, Lucy Jackson said, “The Spread a Smile Intensive Care Library Project is an exciting new initiative which will provide an invaluable resource for families with children on intensive care and high dependency units in NHS hospitals across the country.

“When a child is in intensive care, it can be an extremely stressful and worrying time for the whole family. The familiar act of reading together can provide emotional comfort and connection, helping to alleviate some of the stress of what is going is going in the hospital setting.

“We hope that families receiving treatment at our NHS hospital partners find the resource useful and we are extremely grateful to renowned author Michael Rosen for joining us at Evelina London to help launch our first libraries.”

The majority of books for the libraries have been generously donated by the charity Emmie’s Books, which was set up by Lindsay and Andy McPartland whose daughter Emmie was diagnosed with cancer when she was 14 weeks old. Spread a Smile has supported Emmie, now 5, and her family since her diagnosis, with Mum Lindsay saying, “Spread a Smile has been there for all of us through our darkest days, constantly making us smile. We are so happy to be able to give something back through Emmie’s Books, the charity we set up in 2021 in Emmie’s name to provide children’s books for little warriors in hospital and their families.”

We are grateful to publishers Penguin, Macmillan and Scholastic who have all donated books for the libraries. Also to John and Chris from Norseman Direct for supporting the creation and delivery of the bookcases.

A huge thank you to everyone who has made this initiative possible, the Evelina London for hosting our launch and Michael Rosen for bringing his passion and love of books to our visit, leaving families with many happy memories of a special time together.