NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens’ Pediatrics Department Hosts Pre-Launch Book Reading with Celebrated Children’s Book Author
Award-winning author Molly Arbuthnott hosts exclusive pre-launch reading of Oscar the Hebridean Cat to champion early childhood literacy and community partnerships
Oct 02, 2026
The Pediatrics Department at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens was filled with excitement on Wednesday as patients, families, and staff gathered for a special literary celebration. The event featured award-winning Scottish author Molly Arbuthnott, who treated the community to an exclusive reading of her newest book, Oscar the Hebridean Cat, just one day before its official global launch.
The clinic was teeming with families who found the department transformed into a festive tribute to the book’s characters. Children and staff alike joined in the spirit of the story, with some dressing up as the “Hebridean cats” from the series. The afternoon was filled with interactive activities, including cat puppets, coloring stations, and themed stickers. In a special highlight of the day, Ms. Arbuthnott signed approximately three dozen copies of her books, which were gifted to the children visiting the clinic to take home and enjoy with their families.
Molly Arbuthnott is a distinguished author, educator, and academic whose work is deeply rooted in her experience as a teacher and her Master’s in Children’s Literature. Her books are crafted with a specific mission: to foster empathy, teamwork, and moral courage in young readers. By blending whimsical storytelling with emotional intelligence, she aims to help children navigate their feelings and the world around them. Furthermore, her work often supports global conservation efforts, including partnerships with organizations like WILD to protect the natural world.
The featured story, Oscar the Hebridean Cat, follows the adventures of a sleek, wreath-wearing Siamese cat living in the rugged and beautiful Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Through Oscar’s journey with his friend Mercy, the book explores themes of friendship and the discovery of the natural world, all brought to life through soft, evocative watercolor illustrations.
The event served as a powerful showcase of the hospital’s integrated approach to pediatric care. Representatives from Reach Out and Read discussed their vital work in providing free books to children from birth through age five during well-child visits. Joining them were partners from Express Ed, who highlighted their role in securing reading materials for children across Jamaica, Queens, and surrounding neighborhoods. The Queens Public Library also participated, sharing information about the extensive resources available at their 63 branches, ranging from early childhood programs to citizenship and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes.
“At Queens Hospital, we believe that a prescription for a book is just as vital as any other medical intervention,” said Dr. Marcy Stein-Albert, Chief of Pediatrics at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens. “Through our Reach Out and Read program, we are proud to provide every child with a new book during their most critical developmental years. This initiative isn’t just about reading; it’s about giving our families the tools to build a foundation for lifelong learning and emotional health.”
“It was a true privilege to share Oscar’s latest adventure with the children at Queens Hospital just ahead of the book’s official launch,” said Arbuthnott. “Bringing the magic of the Scottish islands to life for such an engaged group of young readers—and seeing them embrace the spirit of the story by dressing up—was a wonderful reminder of how stories can connect us across the globe. I hope this tale of courage and friendship stays with them long after today.”
For more information about the author and her books, please visit: www.mollyarbuthnott.co.uk.
For more information on the literacy programs at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, please contact 718-883-2670.
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Media Contact: Cleon Edwards, NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, (646) 772-5725
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About NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens
A member of NYC Health and Hospitals, NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens is a major health care provider in the borough of Queens. Its foremost mission is to provide quality, comprehensive care to all members of the public regardless of their ability to pay. In 2025, Queens Hospital marked its 90th anniversary of serving the communities of central and southeastern Queens, having first opened its doors as Queens General Hospital in 1935. Encompassing 360,000 square feet, it comprises 253 licensed beds, spacious ambulatory care suites featuring both primary and specialty services, and cutting-edge equipment. It also houses four Centers of Excellence: Cancer Care, Diabetes Management, Women’s Health, and Behavioral Health. The hospital has recently added a fully expanded Emergency Room, a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence accredited by the American College of Radiology, and a Total Hip and Knee Replacement Center, with plans underway to build the health system’s first Dialysis Center to train patients to perform their own at-home dialysis. To learn more about NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org/queens.
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlusHealth—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 46,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.