A book about Ronald McDonald House

BY CHRISTINA HEISER

Wednesday, June 11, 2008 1:26 PM EDT

After stepping into the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island, children’s author Babette Douglas found the inspiration for her latest book.

“Welcome to the Ronald McDonald House,” which comes out this July, “helps to demystify that building” for the children and family members who stay there, Douglas explained.

In her book, Douglas said she “describes the process of going into the building” through poetry.

She called the building, located in New Hyde Park at 267-07 76th Avenue, “exceptional,” noting its two to three story atrium, game room, and “gorgeous” cafeteria.

It opened in 1986, offering parents and children a place to stay at a low cost, while the children are treated for illnesses at nearby hospitals.

“I encourage anyone to go and see what’s going on there,” Douglas said. “The people [there] are incredible.”

But writing this book wasn’t an easy task for the author of more than 30 picture story books.

“[This was a] hard one because a lot of children don’t go home,” Douglas said.

She also felt that most adults talk down to children—something she tries to avoid.

“I try not to be depressing, but truthful,” she explained about writing her latest book. “I want to talk to children in an ordinary way.”

With the book comes a toy bear wearing a backpack. Inside the backpack is a hospital gown and slippers.

“The bear, that’s the connection,” said Robert Weitzner, the Executive Director for the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island. “[They] always know their parents are nearby.”

Weitzner explained that many children don’t get to enjoy the positive benefits that staying at the House offers.

“Children go to the hospital first and never experience the Ronald McDonald House,” he said.

But, he believes “Welcome to the Ronald McDonald House” will serve as a learning tool to the children and their parents, who otherwise might not realize what kind of support the House can offer them.

“[It’s] powerful when a child sees there are places to eat [and] places to sleep,” he said. “By creating this book, [it] allows both the parent and child to come together.”

Weitzner said he “hopes it [the book] serves as a keepsake” for children of the fond memories they had at the House.

In the winter of 2007, Douglas decided she wanted to write a book about the House because she had suffered the loss of her husband a few years ago.

“The process must be more difficult for children,” she said about suffering with an illness. “I wanted to write for the Ronald McDonald House to help children through the process.”

Douglas mentioned her desire to write a book about the House to Teresa Reid, community relations manager at the Manhasset Barnes & Noble, whom she had visited with some local elementary schools in early 2007. Reid happened to know someone who worked for the House, sparking Douglas’ journey there.

“The message of her books is so beautiful, so simple, so clear,” Reid said.

Signed copies of “Welcome to the Ronald McDonald House” will be available at the Manhasset Barnes & Noble, located at 1542 Northern Boulevard.

PHOTO COURTESY RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF LONG ISLAND
Pictured reading her new children’s book, “Welcome to the Ronald McDonald House is Author, Babette Douglas with Ronald McDonald House of Long Island resident, Brandon Prokop; and Erin Gilmore, Brielle Robinson, Becky Silverman, Elizabeth Muratore and Pauline Bordonaro of the Port Washington School District.