Small But Mighty
Alyssa Veech, Penny Weber
language
(Alyssa Veech, Dec. 9, 2018)
Small But Mighty is an inspirational book for mothers who wish to read to their premature baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This illustrated children's book explores a mother's journey as she cares for her baby in the NICU, providing an emotional outlet that validates the grief, joy and unconditional love that comes with the birth of a preemie.Every year, an estimated 15 million babies are born prematurely. They often require prolonged critical care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Not only is this a source of enormous emotional distress for new mothers, but lengthy hospitalization may result in long-term speech and language delays. Reading to preemies not only improves brain development, but results in advanced language skills, vocabulary and reading proficiency as children and adolescents. Mothers of children in the NICU often report feeling helpless, as it can be weeks or months before they’re able to participate in the care of their baby. Reading to their baby provides them with a sense of purpose, knowing that they are playing an important role in their preemie’s long growth and development.