For the last 15 years Wendy Bean from the Australian Literacy Educators’ Association, Sydney North, has been donating books to the newest members of the community.

Every year Wendy delivers books to Royal North Shore Hospital’s maternity unit and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to tie in with International Literacy Day.

One-day-old baby Edward received one of his very first books, Time for Bed, while in the RNSH’s maternity ward. His mum Catherine wasted no time to start reading it to him.

RNSH Midwifery Unit Manager at the maternity ward Mary Cameron said the new books are always appreciated and well-received by new parents.

“Thank you so much to the North Sydney Australian Literacy Educators’ Association for the books as this assists in raising awareness of the importance of literacy,” Mary said.

RNSH NICU Discharge Coordinator Carmel Pearsall runs the book library in the NICU and was very grateful for the donation.

“Wendy has provided a beautiful collection of books for us,” Carmel said. “These will be treasured by parents spending precious time with their babies.”

Wendy thanked staff at RNSH for distributing the books.

“ALEA Sydney North is grateful to staff for distributing the books over the last couple of years,” Wendy said. “This has allowed us to continue the program during COVID-19 restrictions.”