Finding Hope: How One Children’s Book is Helping 9,500 Queensland Families Sleep Safely

Thousands of Queensland families are receiving a very special delivery: a children’s book that carries a message of hope, emotional well-being, and life-saving safe sleep guidance.

River’s Gift, one of Australia’s leading SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) charities, is distributing 9,500 copies of Finding Hope to early learning centres across metro, regional, and rural Queensland.

A Story That Comforts and Educates

Finding Hope follows Hope the Elephant, the charity’s mascot, gently introducing children to kindness, courage, and resilience. Through storytelling, the book also opens natural conversations about emotions while delivering a vital message for parents: safe sleep for babies.

Each copy includes a QR code linking to River’s Gift Safe Sleep resources, giving parents easy access to current, evidence-based guidance on reducing SIDS risk.

“As parents ourselves, we understand the anxiety of putting your baby down to sleep,” says Karl Waddell, River’s Gift Co-Founder and General Manager.
“Finding Hope offers reassurance, comfort, and practical guidance families can trust.”

Safe Sleep Education Backed by Evidence

SIDS remains a serious concern in Australia. According to Red Nose Australia (2024), about one in every 3,000 Australian babies dies suddenly during sleep each year. Research shows that early education and safe sleep guidance can reduce SIDS risk by up to 50% (Fraser et al., 2022, Australian Journal of Paediatrics).

By placing Finding Hope directly in childcare centres, River’s Gift ensures families receive trusted, evidence-based information in familiar, supportive environments.

Empowering Educators Through The Hope Collective

The book distribution is the first step in The Hope Collective, River’s Gift’s early childhood partnership program.

Participating educators gain ongoing training, resources, and tools to deliver safe sleep guidance in engaging, accessible ways.

“Educators are trusted voices in families’ lives,” Mr Waddell explains.
“By equipping them with up-to-date knowledge, we’re making sure safe sleep messages reach homes in ways that are warm, supportive, and easy to follow.”

Community Partnerships in Action

The initiative was funded through a charitable partnership with the Gympie Music Muster, where festival-goers helped bring the project to life.

Books are delivered free of charge to centres across Queensland thanks to All Purpose Transport (APT).

“Delivering these books where they can make a real difference is something our team has embraced wholeheartedly,” says APT CEO Paul Kahlert.

From Grief to Prevention

River’s Gift was founded after the sudden loss of four-month-old River to SIDS in 2011. Since then, his parents have turned their grief into a national charity dedicated to research, education, and support for bereaved families.

“Every one of these books could spark a conversation that helps keep a baby safe,” Mr Waddell says.

Safe sleep education isn’t just about knowledge; it’s about confidence, reassurance, and building nurturing routines for babies and families. By combining storytelling with evidence-based guidance, Finding Hope helps families protect their babies while fostering emotional growth and resilience in children.

With 9,500 families reached, this initiative shows how research-backed resources, trusted educators, and community partnerships can make a real difference in preventing infant deaths.

References

Red Nose Australia. (2024). Safe Sleep Guidelines for Infants. https://rednose.org.au
Fraser, L., et al. (2022). Impact of early safe sleep education on SIDS rates. Australian Journal of Paediatrics, 58(4), 245–253.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). (2025). Infant mortality in Australia. Canberra: AIHW.