Adding a new baby to the family brings a lot of excitement and joy. However, children who are waiting for a baby brother or sister to be born may have a range of emotions and reactions as they wait those weeks and months, watching their mother’s belly grow. During the pregnancy, changes may happen to their room, their home, their place in the family vehicle, or their ability to be picked up or carried by mom. In these ways and more, a new baby can also bring confusion, uncertainty, and challenge.
One of the easiest ways to prepare children, especially young children, for the arrival of a new sibling is to read to them about it. Books provide wonderful opportunities to talk with your child about how they’re feeling or questions they have about the new baby, what will happen when it’s time for the new baby to be born, and what it might be like once they’re here. Fortunately, there are many great children’s books available revolving around the topic of a new baby in the family. Here is a list of titles and authors of books to help children adjust to your newest addition, with our favorites in bold. Which books have you found to be particularly helpful for your older child(ren)?
Brand New Baby Blues, by Kathi Appelt
Berenstain Bears and Baby Make 5, by Stan and Jan Berenstain
What the No-Good Baby is Good For, by Elise Broach
Changes, by Anthony Browne
Will It Be a Baby Brother? by Eve Bunting
There’s Going to Be a Baby, by John Burningham
I Am a Big Brother! by Caroline Jayne Church
I Am a Big Sister! by Caroline Jayne Church
I’m a Big Brother, by Joanna Cole
I’m a Big Sister, by Joanna Cole
Barfburger Baby, I Was Here First! by Paula Danziger
Samuel’s Baby, by Mark Elkin
But I Wanted a Baby Brother! by Kate Feiffer
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, by Mem Fox
The Boss Baby: As Himself! by Marla Frazee
Where Did That Baby Come From? by Debi Gliori
Bernard Wants a Baby, by Joan Elizabeth Goodman
Julius, the Baby of the World, by Kevin Henkes
A Baby Sister for Frances, by Russell Hoban
That New Animal, by Emily Jenkins
Best Kind of Baby, by Kate Laing
Froggy’s Baby Sister, by Jonathan London
Tell Me My Story, Mama, by Deb Lund
Bad Baby, by Ross MacDonald
Bittle, by Patricia MacLachlan
All the Places to Love, by Patricia MacLachlan
Everywhere Babies, by Susan Myers
I Wanna New Room, by Karen Kaufman Orloff
Hello Baby! by Lizzy Rockwell
The New Baby, by Fred Rogers
Vera’s Baby Sister, by Vera Rosenberry
Dear Baby: Letters from Your Big Brother, by Sarah Sullivan
Pecan Pie Baby, by Jacqueline Woodson
Love That Baby: A Book About Babies for New Brothers, Sisters, Cousins and Friends, by Katherine Lasky
Babies Don’t Eat Pizza: A Big Kids’ Book About Baby Brothers and Baby Sisters, by Dianne Danzig
Our New Baby (How Do I Feel About… series), by Jen Green
What to Expect When the New Baby Comes Home, by Heidi Murkoff
Welcome With Love, by Jenni Overend
It’s Not the Stork, by Robie Harris
Baby On the Way, by William Sears
