What Will You Do, Little One? - A NICU & PICU Children's Book

What Will You Do, Little One? is a faith-filled board book written for babies and toddlers in the NICU and PICU—a poetic prayer of hope, purpose, and promise inspired by Effie James Sviontek’s story.

This project follows our ongoing buy-one, give-one model through Effie James Co.—for every book sold, one will be donated to a NICU or PICU family. 

About the Book

What Will You Do, Little One? is written as a poetic prayer spoken by a parent to their child. Through lyrical stanzas and hand-drawn illustrations, the book acknowledges present suffering while imagining a future filled with strength, purpose, and possibility. Drawing inspiration from historical heroes and world-changers who overcame adversity, the story reframes hardship as part of a greater narrative of hope. This book speaks life, courage, and faith directly over the child—inviting parents to do the same.

Why This Book? 

Nearly one million babies and toddlers are admitted to NICU and PICU units in the U.S. each year—impacting millions of families walking through fear and uncertainty.

While many children’s books explain the hospital environment, few speak hope and faith directly over the child. What Will You Do, Little One? fills that gap.

This book isn’t about machines or diagnoses. It gives parents words to speak when there are no answers—offering comfort, resilience, and purpose in life’s most fragile moments.

About the Author

Hannah Sviontek is a writer and co-founder of Effie James Co., a Texas-based brand serving NICU families. After spending extensive time in the NICU and PICU with her twin daughters—and later losing her daughter Effie—Hannah stepped away from her corporate career to focus on her family and faith-centered encouragement and support for families navigating medical hardship and child loss.

She lives in the Dallas–Fort Worth area with her husband David and their children, Liev and Aila, honoring Effie’s legacy through her writing and the mission of Effie James Co.