When we began thinking of what we wanted to do in memory of Anakin, we remembered his love of books. We asked the nurses what determined if they read to the NICU babies and they said that they did if the parents brought books in. That was our opening to help.

We’ve decided to buy book carts and fill them with children’s books to keep in the NICU. That way, the nurses always have books that they can read to the babies. Parents or other visitors will also be able to use them. Some babies that go to the NICU are there for a short period of time, but many are there long-term, a month or more. These babies especially need the stimulation of being read to and seeing pictures. And we believe it’s never too early to start a love of books.


Anakin’s Books


Thanks to everyone for your interest in helping with our memorial for Anakin. We’ve delivered the second shelf and first basket, and we’ll probably be ordering the third shelf soon. We’re currently deciding where the third shelf will go. If you’d like to send books (which we would much rather you do), we are looking for children’s books. Keep in mind that they are going to NICUs, so try not to send books that make noise or have glitter on them. Books that have bright colors are great for infants, but good stories will also work. Books from Dr. Seuss, Boynton, Carle, and so on are perfect. Send your favorites or what you’ve found on sale. Please mail them to:

Anakin Hall Memorial
P.O. Box 1044
Northport, AL 35476

The following are pictures of our first donation–to Northport Medical Center on September 12, 2008:

Here are pictures from taking the second shelf to DCH Tuscaloosa (Travis took the pictures):

The hospital in my hometown only has a Level II NICU (small), so we decided to only send them a basket of books. Mary’s mother delivered them. Below is a picture: