26 Dec Welcoming Our Bookelicious Reading Lounge at Ronald McDonald House at Stanford

Posted on Dec 26 by
Photograph of a cozy reading nook featuring two cushioned chairs with white fluffy pillows, a white bookshelf filled with books and toys, and a large window showcasing vibrant red autumn leaves outside.
Photograph of a cozy reading nook featuring two cushioned chairs with white fluffy pillows, a white bookshelf filled with books and toys, and a large window showcasing vibrant red autumn leaves outside. Warm beige and red walls frame the space, with colorful framed artwork on one wall and a reflective mirror on the opposite side.

The holiday season at Ronald McDonald House at Stanford is always filled with small moments that mean so much to families. Moments of connection and care help families feel a little more at home during an incredibly challenging time. This year, one of those moments unfolded through the simple, powerful joy of reading together.

We are excited to share that this celebration also marked the opening of a brand-new space for our families: the Bookelicious Reading Lounge. Created in partnership with our friends at Bookelicious, an award-winning organization dedicated to helping children discover books they truly love, this new library is now open and available for patients and siblings to enjoy.

The Bookelicious Reading Lounge offers a cozy, welcoming space where families can browse a thoughtfully curated selection of books, choose their favorites, and take them along, whether to a hospital room, a quiet corner of the House, or home after their stay.

Lea Anne Borders, Founder of Bookelicious shares why moments like these are so meaningful:

“Reading with your children can provide so many benefits. In addition to helping them become better readers, reading together can offer a diversion, reduce stress, and create opportunities for families to connect through stories.”

To celebrate this new space, families gathered to enjoy a special read-aloud of Moon Song, a story about finding comfort in the wonders of wintertime and the northern lights. After the story, families shared a cup of hot cocoa and holiday decorated cookies.

Photograph of a child and an adult sitting indoors, holding colorful cups and smiling. Background features a dartboard with balloons, children's artwork on the wall, and a shelf with toy trucks and other toys.
Photograph of a classroom or playroom setting where two children are playing a large Jenga game on a colorful alphabet rug while a woman reads a book to them. The background features a dartboard, children's artwork, and a green exit sign above a door, highlighting an engaging and educational environment.

Special thanks to our Board Member and immediate past Board President, Heather Pietsch and family, who led the read-aloud, cookie baking and hot cocoa bar.

Photograph of six people standing indoors in front of a decorated Christmas tree with red ribbons and ornaments. One person in the center holds a tray of decorated holiday cookies, suggesting a festive gathering or celebration.

Quiet, thoughtful, and joyful moments are essential to making our House feel like a true home away from home. For families navigating their child’s medical journey, moments of normalcy and comfort matter deeply.

Thanks to this partnership, the Bookelicious Reading Lounge will continue to create moments of joy long after the holidays have passed, supporting children and teens with stories that comfort, inspire, and remind them they have a whole community surrounding them.