Waiting for Max: A NICU Story by Emily Rosen, with illustrations by Esther Diana; Oakland, California: The Collective Book Studio; (c) 2025; ISBN 9781685-552800; 28 pages plus author’s note; $18.95.
SAN DIEGO — Max, born prematurely, had to spend some time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), causing his creative sibling Louise to become impatient. She wanted badly for her role of “big sister” to begin already.
Staying with grandma and grandpa while her parents visited Max in the hospital, Louise tried to content herself by playing such games as tic-tac-toe, rollicking with her dog Gus, being read to by grandma and pushed on the swing by grandpa.
When mom and dad showed Louise a picture of Max in his incubator, she noticed a plastic tube inserted into his nose. Told it was a feeding tube, Louise, knowing food was available at home, decided she could suggest a better use for the tube — Max could use it as a vine and swing out the hospital window. She drew a picture of her plan for Max to make his way home.
When Max didn’t follow Louise’s suggestion, a video of Max’s incubator with monitors beeping inspired Louise’s next suggestion for a way Max could come home. The beeping reminded her of a spaceship, so Louise thought Max might blast off for home
But Max didn’t follow that suggestion either.
One day, her Dad said Max didn’t need a feeding tube anymore. He now was able to be bottle-fed some milk. Louise promptly drew a picture of Max surrounded by milk bottles. When, at last, her parents brought Max home, Louise proudly congratulated herself. Max had followed her suggestion of drinking lots of milk!
Louise excitedly introduced herself to Max as his big sister. She promised that someday they would have lots of adventures — like maybe flying in space!
Author Emily Rosen’s own son Max spent time in a NICU before he could come home, inspiring her to write this story.
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Donald H. Harrison is publisher and editor of San Diego Jewish World.