Born early. Born small. Born with a story to tell.

Oliver the bear was born too soon — just like the babies in the NICU who inspired his story. He is small, but he is brave. He is far from where he expected to be, but he finds his way through.

Oliver’s story was written for the families who sit beside isolettes through the night. For the parents who leave the hospital without their baby and return again in the morning. For the children in pediatric wards who need something warm to hold. For the siblings at home who are scared and waiting and need to know they haven’t been forgotten.

Every kit in Oliver’s Program features Oliver — his story, his image, his warmth. So that every child and every family who receives one has a character to connect with and return to long after the hospital stay is over.

Handmade by volunteers

Every heart in every Oliver’s NICU Kit is knitted or crocheted by a volunteer. Each one is unique, made with care, and sent with the intention that it will be carried by someone who needs it.

A tradition in NICUs

Knitted hearts are already a beloved tradition in many NICUs — one placed with the baby so they carry the warmth of their parent, one carried by the parent so they always hold a piece of their child. Oliver’s Program honors and extends that tradition.

Carried for years

NICU nurses tell us that parents carry their hearts for years — in pockets, in purses, on keychains. What begins as comfort in a crisis becomes a lasting reminder of how hard they fought and how much they love.

Oliver’s NICU Kit

For the parents beside the isolette. For the waiting, the hoping, the loving through the glass. Oliver’s NICU Kit gives parents something to hold — and a way to feel connected to their baby even when they have to step away.

This kit is designed for the parents — not the baby — because in those early days, it is often the parents who need comfort most.

Sponsor a NICU Kit — $35 →

Oliver’s Care Kit

For any child in or affected by a hospital stay. The child in the pediatric ward. The sibling at home who is scared and waiting and needs to know they haven’t been forgotten. The child at a Ronald McDonald House who is far from everything familiar.

One kit. Every child. Ordered by the number of children who need one.

Sponsor a Care Kit — $50 →

Oliver’s NICU Kit

For the parents. Two knitted hearts, the book, affirmation cards.

Oliver’s Care Kit

For the child in the hospital. Plush, book, coloring book, crayons, stickers, affirmation cards.

Oliver’s Care Kit

For the sibling at home. Same kit, same care — so no one feels forgotten.

All Three Kits

Saves $10 off individual pricing. Every member of the family covered.

NICU families

Parents beside isolettes, in waiting rooms, leaving and returning. Oliver’s NICU Kit gives them something to hold and a way to stay connected to their baby.

Children in pediatric wards

Scared, far from home, in an unfamiliar room. Oliver’s Care Kit gives them something warm to hold and words that say: you are not alone.

Siblings at home

The often-forgotten members of a hospital season. Oliver’s Care Kit reaches the siblings at home who need to know they haven’t been forgotten in the middle of someone else’s crisis.

Ronald McDonald House families

Families far from home, displaced siblings, exhausted parents. Oliver’s Program gives every member of a Ronald McDonald House family something warm to hold.

Pediatric oncology families

Long-term hospital stays are particularly hard for children and families. Oliver’s Care Kit gives children in extended treatment something to hold onto through every hard day.

Child life teams & hospital social workers

Child life specialists and hospital social workers can keep Oliver’s kits on hand to offer families at the right moment — when comfort matters most and words are not enough.

Care Program Partnership

Partner hospitals receive Oliver’s kits at no cost through the Care Program. Community donations fund the kits so your hospital never has to choose between budget and comfort for a family in need.

Become a partner hospital →

Direct Purchase for Your Unit

Hospitals, NICUs, and child life teams can order Oliver’s kits in bulk for their units — keeping a supply on hand for every family who needs one. Custom pricing available for volume orders.

Request a bulk quote →

Ronald McDonald House Program

Ronald McDonald Houses can partner with The Little Pebble Books to offer Oliver’s Complete Family Program to every family who stays with them — ensuring no child in the house goes without comfort.

Explore a partnership →