Make-Believe Maximus and His Worrisome Worry

By Deanie Yasner

Waiting can be hard, even for an imaginary friend.

Meet Maximus, a make-believe friend who looks like an elephant and feels like the perfect companion—until one day, his best friend heads off to school.

Left behind and unsure of what comes next, Maximus begins to feel a worrisome worry creeping in. Will he ever find a new friend to share adventures with?

Perfect for children ages 1-6, Make-Believe Maximus and His Worrisome Worry is a tender story about coping with big feelings, navigating loneliness, and discovering the rewards of patience and hope. With beautiful illustrations and a message that resonates with readers young and old, this book is an uplifting choice for bedtime or story time.

This picture-book story will tug at your heart while it teaches your little ones the value of patience, perseverance, and hope. A joy for all ages!

Key themes include:

• Managing worry and uncertainty
• Navigating change and waiting for something new
• Friendship and emotional growth
• The magic of imagination

Fans of heartfelt stories like Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival, The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat, and Waiting by Kevin Henkes will fall in love with Maximus and his unforgettable journey.

Discover Make-Believe Maximus and His Worrisome Worry—a story that reminds us all that the best things are worth waiting for.

Amazon Reader Reviews for Make-Believe Maximus:

“A beautiful story that is sensitively written…illuminates for the reader the goodness of belief, hope, and waiting, as well as deep sorrow and utter joy…As a reading specialist, I would recommend this book for any age.” –J.W.

“A delightful, charming sweet tale with beautiful illustrations that make the characters come to life. Children of any age…would see how there are solutions when you feel lonely.” –L.B.

“The illustrations are funny, and full of imagination, perfectly complimenting the story’s meaningful lesson. In a world that often prioritizes instant gratification, it’s easy to overlook the beauty and value of patience. This book serves as both a gentle lesson and reminder of the rewards that come with waiting. A delight read for all ages!” –E.G.

“…So sweet and so thoughtfully written. My 4 and 5 year olds both loved it. My son begged me to read it THREE times in a row the first time! The concept is so easy for them to understand and they really empathized with the characters.” –S.

“Lovely bedtime story to read over and over again.” –K.O.

“I read this book to my four-year-old granddaughter and she loved it. She was so moved by the story that her eyes welled up, but she was very happy when Maximus found his new friend!” –N.G.

Age range: 0-6
Grade level: K-3
34 pages

Full-color illustrations
(c) 2025 Publication
$12.99 paperback
$4.99 ebook
ISBN 978-1-7373410-4-8