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Written by Emily Rosen Illustrated by Esther Diana
On May 16, 2019, my son Max surprised me six weeks before his due date. And because of this, the first 16 days of his life were spent in the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
As any NICU parent will tell you, the wait for your baby to come home is truly difficult, no matter if you’re there for a few days, or several months.
One thing that kept me going during this time was reading Max a different book every day. This felt like the only somewhat “normal” new parent thing to do when everything else was far from it.
But, I had trouble finding stories that reflected ours, even though one in ten babies go to the NICU (which is over 350,000 a year in the U.S. alone). So, as a writer my whole life, from writing plays as a kid, to the school newspaper in high school, to my career as a copywriter and creative director in advertising, I decided to take on a new role: children’s book author. And I wrote Waiting for Max: A NICU Story.
The book channels all the feelings I had waiting for my Max to come home, written from the perspective of an older sister. Because with so many babies going to the NICU, there are not enough (if any) good resources for all the older siblings, cousins and other kids in the babies’ lives.
I’ve seen firsthand how this book is a helpful tool for any parents, grandparents, teachers or librarians who want to help kids through this difficult and confusing situation with information, empathy and a smile. Not only does it have useful explanations of things in the NICU like the isolette and feeding tube, it also models a way to cope and process what’s going on through creativity and imagination.
And the support for NICU families like mine goes beyond the story. I’m donating books and some proceeds to hospital NICUs and NICU charities that help NICU babies and their families every single day.
So, please consider gifting Waiting for Max: A NICU Story this holiday season. For a family that’s experienced the NICU in the past or are there as we speak. And, for any family really, who would enjoy a loving sibling story that model’s resilience, creativity and hope in even the hardest situations.
Because at its core, it’s a story for anyone who’s had to wait for something – or someone – they love.
P.S. Max is now six years old and a thriving kindergartener!
Waiting for Max: A NICU Story is available wherever books are sold.
About the book
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.
About the author
Emily Rosen is a mom, a freelance creative director and copywriter, and a children’s book author. She has built her career working for top advertising agencies and brands and strives to use her creativity for good––especially to empower women, mothers, and kids. Inspired by her son Max’s time in the NICU, she wrote her first children’s book to help families like hers.
When Emily’s not writing, she loves going for a run around the neighborhood, singing karaoke with friends, and reading to her two kids. Proudly born and raised in Cleveland, OH, she now lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their family. Learn more on her Instagram @emilyrosencreative or at emilyrosencreative.com.
About the illustrator
Esther Diana is a freelance children’s illustrator based in Madrid, Spain, originally from Seville, where she studied Fine Arts at the University of Seville. After completing studies in the UK and Italy, she began her career as a concept artist in the game industry. Esther has since illustrated books and children’s products, working primarily in digital formats while enjoying sketching and blending digital and traditional techniques. A lover of art, books, and libraries, she finds inspiration in nature and countryside walks. In her free time, she enjoys the company of her family and her lovely ginger cat.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
