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Riverside Community Hospital

Former NICU patient attempting to become world's youngest male author

Young Payton has published a book at 4 years old in an attempt to achieve a Guinness World Record.

July 24, 2025
Male and female hospital staff surround young boy Payton seated at a table with books.

Young Payton was born in 2020 at Riverside Community Hospital and stayed 14 days in the hospital’s Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Today, he is a thriving 4-year-old with a dream and a mission. He has authored his very first children’s book "Rocket Dreams" and is now on a journey to become the youngest author to set a world record by selling 1,000 copies — all while proudly representing the City of Riverside, where his incredible story began.

Payton and his mother, Jordan, reunited with the NICU care team at Riverside Community Hospital today. Several of Payton’s caregivers had the chance to see the incredible progress the 4-year-old has made and check out his new children’s book.

Payton’s mission aligns with our NICU team’s goal of inspiring parents to read stories to their infants opposed to later as toddlers. To help Payton achieve his goal of selling 1,000 books and support his legacy, Riverside Community Hospital happily purchased 100 books to give to future NICU families upon discharge.

Since Payton’s book is part of an official Guinness World Record attempt, the family is tracking sales through a dedicated Indiegogo page to ensure everything is properly verified. People can visit Rocket Dreams: Help Payton Break a World Record! | Indiegogo to make a purchase or find the book on Amazon.

Young boy Payton seated at table with books.

 

Young boy Payton seated at table with books.
Young boy Payton seated at table with books surrounded by female hospital staff.
Young boy Payton seated at table with books surrounded by female hospital staffer and his mother.
Young boy Payton seated at table with his mother.
Male and female hospital staff standing with balloons welcoming young former patient.
Male and female hospital staff surround young boy Payton seated at a table with books.
Hospital executive shakes hands with seated young boy at table with books.
Male and female hospital staff surround young boy Payton seated at a table with books.
Female hospital staff surround young boy Payton seated at a table with books.

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Published:
July 24, 2025
Location:
Riverside Community Hospital