Waiting for Max

A NICU Story

by Emily Rosen

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Pub Date 21 Oct 2025 | Archive Date 7 Sep 2025

The Collective Book Studio

Children's Fiction | Parenting & Families

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Description

This heartfelt and imagination-filled picture book helps families navigate the NICU journey from a sibling’s perspective—offering comfort, connection, and a big dose of hope.

Louise can’t wait to meet her new little brother, Max! But he arrives earlier than expected and must stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) until he’s strong enough to come home. Waiting is hard. Really hard. So Louise uses her BIG imagination to dream up creative plans to bring Max home.

Inspired by author Emily Rosen’s own NICU experience, Waiting for Max gently validates the big emotions that come with welcoming a premature baby. With whimsical illustrations and an honest, child-centered voice, it’s a reassuring story for big siblings, loving families, and anyone supporting NICU journeys.

Here’s what makes Waiting for Max special:

• Sibling-Centered Storytelling: Offers comfort and age-appropriate perspective for young siblings navigating the NICU experience.

• Empathy Through Imagination: Shows how creative thinking and play can help kids process fear, sadness, and uncertainty.

• Gentle Guidance: Encourages meaningful conversations about medical situations and family changes.

• Authentic & Hopeful: Written and illustrated by NICU-connected creators, with a heartfelt author’s note for added context.

A perfect gift for NICU siblings and family members, Waiting for Max reminds readers that love and patience can bridge any distance. At its heart is the message that no matter how long it takes, some things truly are worth the wait.

Available Editions

EDITION	Other Format
ISBN	9781685552800
PRICE	US$18.95 (USD)
PAGES	32

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Additional Information

Average rating from 53 members

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Featured Reviews

theresa h, Educator

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.

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Lourdes C, Librarian

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!

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Heather L, Reviewer

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!

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Victoria R, Librarian

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.