Little Joys: A Simple Act That’s Making a Big Difference in the NICU
Lending library enables parents to bond with their newborns, foster brain development through reading.
In the Torrance Memorial Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), even the smallest sounds can mean everything.
That’s why the NICU team has launched Little Joys, a reading program designed to support early brain development while strengthening the bond between parents and their babies. Through donated children’s books and a mobile lending library, families whose newborns face extended hospital stays now have something simple, but powerful, they can do: read to their child.
For parents navigating the uncertainty of the NICU, that opportunity can be transformative.
“My daughter Dahlia spent 92 days in the NICU, which was an incredibly difficult and emotional journey for our family,” said Mayra Yahuaca. “Softly reading each day created moments of peace amid the beeping monitors and endless uncertainty. Those quiet, loving moments allowed us to bond, hold on to hope, and feel like parents during an overwhelming time.”
Supporting Brain Development and Parent-Infant Bonding
Even when babies are too fragile to be held, they can hear and respond to their parents’ voices, an important part of early development.
“A lot of times parents have no control over what’s going on in the NICU,” said Julie Snakenborg, NICU Lead RN. “Sometimes they can’t hold their baby because the baby is too sick. But babies can still hear their parents’ voices through the portholes of the isolette. That gentle tone really promotes parent-infant bonding. It helps normalize the NICU experience and makes it less scary.”
The science behind this is well established. Research from Stanford Medicine and other leading institutions has shown that exposure to a parent’s voice, including reading aloud, can support neural pathway development, particularly in premature infants whose brain growth must continue outside the womb.
“We have babies born at 24 weeks,” Snakenborg explains. “That last trimester is when the brain is developing so much. All of that now has to happen outside of the womb in the NICU. We’re trying to support neural development and growth in a positive way.”
Reading also gives parents a meaningful role in their baby’s care.
“The Little Joys library made it easier for us to read books that were age-appropriate and accessible,” Yahuaca said. “Reading personally helped my husband and I bond with our daughter. The lullaby books brought comfort and calm during our daily visits, and the graduation books gave us hope during difficult times.”
Teens Turn Personal Experience into Purpose
The program was created through an inspiring collaboration between the NICU Shared Decision-Making Council and three local ninth graders: Addi Kneler, 14, of Bishop Montgomery High School, and twin sisters Alex Grant, 15, and Kaitlyn Grant, 15, of Chadwick School, all friends since childhood.
Addi was a NICU baby herself. Alex and Kaitlyn’s younger sister also spent time in the NICU. Addi’s aunt, Lindy Lipscomb, is a NICU nurse at Torrance Memorial.
“Our NICU SDM had been discussing the benefits of a reading program, and one of our Council goals for 2026 was to establish our own NICU library,” Lipscomb said. “I brought the idea to my niece to see if she would be interested in contributing since she was a NICU baby herself.”
Addi got together with her friends, and they immediately started working on creating their nonprofit, which they called Little Joys.
After presenting their proposal — including mission, goals and program structure — to the Council, the partnership quickly took shape.
“They did a full presentation and were incredibly thoughtful,” said Lipscomb, who was inspired to become a NICU nurse following Addi’s experience. “It was very collaborative. They really wanted to create something meaningful for families.”
Addi helped fund the initial library cart and book collection by selling homemade empanadas using her grandmother’s recipe.
NICU Nurse Lindy Lipscomb, RN, reads to baby Dahlia. Photo courtesy Little Joys.
A Lasting Impact for Families
Today, the Little Joys mobile library provides families with carefully selected hardcover books in English and Spanish. The long-term vision is to gift every NICU graduate a book to take home, a symbol of both resilience and hope.
They’ve even created custom bookmarks and launched an Amazon storefront and donation platform to support continued growth.
“We wanted the name to be broader than just books,” said Alex. “We want to expand the program and essentially bring little care packages — bringing little joy to families.”
For Dahlia’s family, the book they took home has become a cherished milestone.
“We will forever have the keepsake graduation book given to us by Little Joys the day of our daughter’s NICU graduation, a reminder of such an awaited milestone in her journey,” Yahuaca said. “Programs like the NICU library give families connection, comfort and a sense of normalcy when everything feels uncertain.”
She and her husband will always remember reading to their baby.
“Those quiet moments are memories we will carry with us forever.”
“This collaboration shows our team’s hard work and dedication to our families. We are always striving to improve development, support family involvement, and help improve the NICU experience," Beth Lowerison, NICU/Pediatrics Manager expressed.
Little Joys founders (L to R) Addi Kneler, 14, Kaitlyn Grant, 15, and Alex Grant, 15.
Bringing Little Joys, One Story at a Time
For the nurses, teen founders and families alike, the program reflects something deeply human: the need for connection, even in the most clinical environments.
“It gives parents a positive way to interact with their baby,” Lipscomb says. “It brings something familiar and comforting into a space that can otherwise feel overwhelming.”
And for the young founders, the mission is just beginning.
“We want to expand to more hospitals and reach more families,” Addi says. “We just want to keep bringing little joys to people who need them.”
“We’re working on outreach now to other schools, authors and publishers to see how we can grow,” Kaitlyn said.
Because in the NICU, sometimes the smallest gestures, a familiar voice, a favorite story, a quiet moment together, can leave the biggest impact.
Benefits of Reading to NICU Babies
Emotional and Bonding Benefits
Calming Effect: Reading provides a soothing experience for NICU babies, helping to stabilize their heart rates and oxygen levels. The familiar sound of a parent's voice can be incredibly comforting, especially when physical contact is limited due to medical conditions.
Strengthening Parent-Infant Bond: Engaging in reading helps parents feel more connected to their babies during a stressful time. It allows them to participate actively in their child's care, fostering intimacy and emotional closeness.
Cognitive and Developmental Advantages
Language Development: Reading aloud to infants stimulates brain development by creating neural connections that are crucial for language acquisition. Babies exposed to language through reading are more likely to develop better language skills as they grow.
Neuroprotective Benefits: Research indicates that reading can have neuroprotective effects, promoting healthy brain development and improving cognitive outcomes. This is particularly important for preterm infants who may face developmental challenges.
Routine Establishment: Incorporating reading into daily routines in the NICU can help normalize the experience for both parents and babies. It sets the stage for continued reading habits after discharge, which is beneficial for long-term development.
