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.