In this Author POV, we highlight Waiting for Max: A NICU Story by Emily Rosen, illustrated by Esther Diana. Inspired by the author’s own NICU experience, the book gently explores what it means when a baby arrives early and must stay in the hospital. Told through the perspective of Louise, a big sister struggling with the uncertainty of waiting, the story uses imagination, creativity, and gentle humor to validate big emotions while offering reassurance and hope. With its honest voice and developmentally thoughtful illustrations, Waiting for Max is a valuable addition for libraries serving families navigating new siblings, medical uncertainty, or early childhood emotional literacy.
Can you introduce your book for librarians who may be discovering it for the first time?
Waiting for Max: A NICU Story
Written by Emily Rosen, Illustrated by Esther Diana
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 are some of the editorial reviews:
"A warmly illustrated, heartfelt resource that combines comfort with information. . ." ― School Library Journal
"Emily Rosen handled such a tricky subject with so much warmth, humour and sensitivity." -- Emma Dodd, award-winning and best-selling author and illustrator
"Waiting for Max is a book I wish every family and sibling experiencing a NICU journey could read." -- Ana Ribeiro, MD. Neonatal Critical Care Physician and Co-chair of the NICU Parents Advisory council, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Cleveland, OH
"What an absolutely beautiful portrait of a family's NICU experience. The illustrations are stunningly accurate and the incorporation of a sibling's drawings is so in sync with developmental expectations of siblings, i.e. magical thinking and their wanting to understand and sometimes try to make things better. What a gift to NICU families." -- Vanessa Ya Lopez, NICU Child Life Specialist, Stanford Children's Hospital
"A hopeful family story." ― Publishers Weekly
"Relying on straightforward text laden with humorous kid logic, Rosen, the mother of a premature baby herself, reassures readers in situations like Louise's that their siblings are 'worth the wait.'" ― Kirkus
What inspired you to write this book, and what core themes do you hope readers take away from it?
In 2019, I had my son Max, who arrived six weeks early and had to stay in the NICU for 16 days. Leaving the hospital without him every day and waiting for him to come home was incredibly difficult. One of the only things I could do as a new parent that felt somewhat "normal" in a not normal situation was read books to Max. But, I had trouble finding stories that felt like mine, even though 1 in 10 babies go to the NICU, which is over 350,000 babies a year in the U.S. alone. So I decided to write one. The book basically channels all the feelings I had of wanting Max to come home, and shares them from the perspective of an older sibling of a NICU baby. It's a much-needed resource for older siblings, cousins, next door neighbors, and any other kids connected to a baby in the NICU, as well as the NICU babies themselves.
I hope readers who are going through something similar feel empowered with more information about a NICU stay and validation of their feelings around it. But I think any child who reads this book, whether they're personally connected to a baby in the NICU or not, can take away a few things: the power of creativity when going through something difficult or having to wait, resilience, empathy, and hope.
What kind of readers or patrons do you see this book resonating with most? (age range, grade levels, reading interests)?
Age Range: 4–8
Grade Levels: Preschool–Third Grade
Reading interests: Family, new siblings, creativity, art, imagination, empathy
What themes or discussion topics do you hope librarians highlight when recommending the book?
Empathy through imagination: The book shows how creative thinking and play can help kids process fear and uncertainty. Louise copes with her situation through drawing pictures. This can inspire other kids to process what they're going through (like a baby in the NICU or something else difficult) with their creativity, whether that's by drawing like Louise, acting something out with dolls or stuffed animals, building something with blocks, etc. It can also spark a discussion on other ways Max could have gotten home, allowing kids to use their own imagination and add to the story.
The feelings around waiting: Waiting is hard for all of us, kids and grown ups alike. This book can lend itself to a great discussion around what or who we've waited for, how that feels, and what we can do to help with the waiting, whether it's for a baby in the NICU, or something (or someone) else.
NICU families: Of course, recommending this to any NICU family is immensely helpful. It makes a lot of families in their community feel seen and supported, offers a much-needed tool for parents, grandparents, teachers and more to help the kids in their life understand what's going on, validates the big feelings kids are having, and offers hope and smiles in this difficult situation.
If your book were part of a library display, what topics, themes, or comparable titles would you pair it with?
This could go in both a children's book section, or a parenting section, paired with other books that help kids (and the grownups who support them) get through difficult situations, like "The Invisible String" by Patrice Karst. It could also go with other new siblings books. Given one in 10 babies go to the NICU, there are a lot of big siblings that need a book like this.
Are there companion resources librarians or educators should know about?
Yes, on my website emilyrosencreative.com or on the Collective Book Studio website, you can download a book guide which includes coloring activities, a glossary of NICU terms, discussion questions and more.
Which formats are currently available? (Hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook, bilingual editions, large print, classroom sets, ISBNs, and whether bulk discounts or school pricing options exist.)
Available as hardcover and ebook.
ISBN: 9781685552800
How could this book be used in community events or themed programming throughout the year? (For example: Earth Day, Black History Month, Pride, Hispanic Heritage Month, etc.)
September is NICU awareness month and November is Prematurity Awareness month, so these would be wonderful times to feature the book. But, given NICU babies are born every single day, it's also relevant any time of year.
Do you offer author engagement options for schools or libraries? (Virtual visits, in-person events, Q&A sessions, etc.)
Yes! I have done school assemblies, library storytimes and virtual book talks and love doing all of the above. In these sessions, I can provide education around the NICU, talk about the feelings around waiting, and more. Please reach out to me at emilyrosencreative@gmail.com.
Is there anything else you would like librarians, teachers, or educators to know about your work?
My hope with this book is to help families like mine going through a NICU stay, both through the story itself, as well as donating books and proceeds to hospital NICUs and NICU charities. Thank you for helping me spread awareness and support NICU families by sharing my book!
You can learn more about me on Instagram @emilyrosencreative and on my website, emilyrosencreative.com.
BOOK LINKS
Waiting for Max on the Collective Book Studio Site
Waiting for Max on Simon & Schuster
My website emilyrosencreative.com
My Instagram @emilyrosencreative
Direct link to the book guide on the Collective Book Studio site
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