I am a big sister and remember my sibling being born very clearly. Luckily we had no issues but if there had been problems such as a NICU visit I know i would have been very scred and confused. A book like this would have been so useful in that situation and I'm sure it will bring comfort to a lot of scared older siblings in years to come. Great message and we loved reading it together :)

A great book to help explain to your child at home why your newborn needs to stay in the hospital after delivery. My young nephew loved the artwork and is now asking his mother for another sibling. Haha.

What a wonderful book — especially for families who find themselves in the situation that Louise’s family was in where the younger sibling is in the NICU with an older sibling unable to visit. This gives children the chance to learn and better understand what a hospital looks like and even more precisely, what a NICU looks and sounds like. It helps children to understand what it’ll be like to wait to meet their sibling who can’t come home yet and to give them something fun and constructive to do in the wait.

Louise’s ideas for getting Max out of the hospital were previous and having her final plan be the actual way he got out of the NICU made me cry! When Louise shouted “I DID IT!” you better believe those tears started falling.

These are the complex and very real situations children find themselves in and with so much going on I’m sure those older siblings can feel lost in the shuffle. “Waiting for Max” is such a wonderful resource parents, schools, and public libraries can use to help the older siblings through it! Thank you to Emily Rosen for the lovely story and Esther Diana for the beautiful illustration. Additional thanks to Collective Book Studio and NetGalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for my opinion.

Long live Super Milk Baby!

This is an awesome and very heartwarming book! There definitely aren't enough kids' books out there that are about the NICU, so I greatly appreciate that this book was something fresh and different. Additionally, it is so important for little ones to have a basic understanding of the NICU, whether it affects them personally or not. This book did a fantastic job of making the NICU seem less confusing or scary, without having the reader get lost in the weeds.
Another thing that I liked about this book might seem like a small detail, but it means a lot in the big picture. Louise's curiosity, understanding, and kindness throughout the book sets such a good example for young readers, which is always great.
Lastly, what I really appreciated about the illustrations were Louise's drawings within them. The overall book had a colorful and youthful look to it, but the illustrator made Louise's drawings look exactly like how any kid's crayon drawings would look. In short, it was a cute and fun touch, and I truly admire the illustrator's attention to detail.
Bravo!

This is a very special book about how being in the NICU can be so difficult for big siblings. From not being able to visit to understanding why baby cannot come home I found this book touched on so many aspects of NICU life. I found the way Louise wanted to help Max very endearing and I may have teared up at big sister finally being reunited with little brother. A must read book for NICU families.

This is a beautiful children’s book. I think hospitals should have this on hand for any parent who has older children. It is a great way to introduce the NICU and help introduce the conversation to siblings.
Very well done.

This was so sweet! As someone interested in the healthcare field, I thought it would be fun to see a medical phenomenon from the eyes of a child. And it really was! Louise only knew that her little brother, Max, was still at the hospital after being born because he had to wait until he was bigger and stronger. At first, Louise, thought he was in a "plastic box," so she sent him drawings with ideas on how to come home. I loved how the story progressed and how cute Louise's thought process was. The ending was so precious and sweet. And I loved the art!

Waiting for Max
Emily Rosen
A family connection book, showing young children to not be afraid NICU and young babies. It explains how a sibling can support their parents and new sibling throughout the long wait for the baby to come home.

Thank you to NetGalley for this e-copy of Waiting for Max by Emily Rosen in exchange for a honest review.This is a cute story of Louise and her quest to get her little baby brother Max to come home from the NICU after his is born.She draws him pictures and imagines all the ways she can get him to get stronger so he can come home.Perfect story for young preschoolers facing similar circumstances.

Being an older sibling myself who experienced a sibling being held in the NICU, this book was wonderful and sort of nostalgic. I remember having to wait patiently to meet my sibling for the first time as well as how my parents explained the NICU to me.

With the help of this book, children can have an understanding on what the NICU is and how important it is for babies who are born prematurely, with health problems, or after a difficult birth. The NICU can be a scary place full of unknowns. This book helps explain, in terms a child can understand, what each item is doing to help baby Max grow strong to be able to go home. It also illustrates the hope a child has when someone is in the NICU and all they want is for them to come home. Louise demonstrates her hope through drawing for baby Max illustrating him coming home to meet her. Overall, this is a great book for all members of a family who have a child in the NICU.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

A little girl copes with the impatience of waiting for her brand new sibling in the NICU with creativity. This book is both beautiful in it’s illustrative style, and also straight to the point regarding a very difficult topic. This story doesn’t shy away from showing an illustration of a little one in the NICU, or explaining to an older sibling in words why they’re there, as well as what some of their complications may be. This could be a really important book to have on deck for many families. An author’s note also explains the concepts explored in entirely plain text, with resources for further research at the end. The cozy art style really takes a scary topic and adds some much needed warmth to it.

This tale was really heartening. It tells a tender, emotionally rich story about the nicu journey and how it affects families. The story also includes patience, friendship, and the feelings that come with missing someone dearly. The pacing was done well, making it perfect for discussing waiting and complex feelings with younger children.

I remember, during 2020 and lockdowns, watching my friend Laura's baby - born at 22 weeks, go through a long, long time in the NICU. This children's book is more fun that that! It explains, in a way that a child can understand, why a baby (in this case Max) is in the NICU. It's not scary, this book is told in a really comforting, but not condescending way. It really captures that impatience of waiting, waiting, waiting. The illustrations are beautiful and the whole effect is wholesome and fun. Definitely a book I would give to the older sibling of a baby in the NICU, or just a fun read for any young child expecting a sibling.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the free E-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a heartwarming story! It showcases how amazing a child’s imagination can be you. You can definitely tell this was written by someone who’s been this experience. Such a great read!

What a heartwarming story! Max is definitely a loved little boy to have a big sister that draws him pictures while he is in the NICU. I am an elementary school librarian, and I am so enjoying seeing books like this one that I can order for my students. I’m going to refer this to friends who are in the NICU as well. Love this!

Waiting for Max is a truly lovely tribute to the many families and babies who begin their first days in the NICU. With brightly illustrative pages and narrative that weaves together a wonderful story, Waiting for Max explains how one young girl celebrates the new arrival of her younger brother and helps devise a special plan to ensure that he arrives home quickly and safely. Children and families will love reading this delightful book and talking about the many wonderful ways that babies can arrive into the world.

"Waiting for Max: A NICU Story" is clearly a story that comes from direct experience. When a baby is born prematurely, they may have to spend time in a special department in the hospital called the NICU, until they are strong enough to come home. This story explores what it's like for a big sister, waiting for her new little brother to come home. This book can help explain the NICU to a young child, and help them process their feelings, and the sense of waiting endlessly for a new sibling to come home from the hospital when they aren't allowed to visit themselves.

The illustrations, the story, the pacing-- they were all clear. The story was heartwarming, and I could absolutely envision reading this to a child.

Cute picture book about a NICU baby and a big sister who can't wait for her little brother to come home. MIght be a little difficult for small children to understand but for kids who are a little older can be a cute way to explain

When Louise finds out that her baby brother Max has to stay in the NICU, she's determined to get him out sooner. With each new day that passes, Louise gets more and more impatient and illustrates new and inventive ways for Max to get out -- swinging from his tube, blasting off in his spaceship, and (my personal favorite) becoming SUPER MILK BABY. Will she *ever* get to meet her baby brother?!

With super cute illustrations and laugh out loud energy, this is an adorable, heartfelt book that's perfect for those eager older siblings.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A beautiful children’s book on a topic I don’t believe I’ve seen covered before. Our middle child had birth complications and was in the NICU for 4 days. Whilst our eldest child was a bit too small to understand, this is still a lovely book and I feel would be a helpful aide for many older siblings going through the same thing. Beautifully illustrated.