Big changes can bring joy and challenges for little ones. One of the best ways to subside this anxiety is by introducing some new books about the changes they will experience. When we told my son that he would be a big brother soon, we also shared a variety of older sibling books with him to encourage him on this new journey.
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Prep Siblings for a New Baby
Telling my son Jude that he would become a big brother was an exciting and memorable experience for our little family. We showed him pictures of our recent ultra sound, and talked about some of his friends who also had siblings. Our hope was that he would be able to visualize what our family might one day be like. He smiled and carried around the picture for days. His enthusiasm made us feel good!
We did notice some anxiety creep in, especially as it got closer to my due date. He would touch and talk to my belly frequently, he was also more clingy than normal, and we had a couple of potty accidents months after we had successfully potty trained him.
Reading books together throughout the day has been a regular routine for us. So, integrating some books about a new sibling was a pretty seamless process for us. As we read together, I encouraged my son to sing or talk to the baby, feel for her kicks, and also reassure him of how much his father and I love him. (As an added bonus, reading aloud to a baby in the womb promotes brain activity and helps the baby to become familiar with your voice.)
In our conversations, we talked a lot about how important my son is to our family and how much we value his help. We can’t wait to see him grow into the role of “big brother.”
Older Sibling Books to Ease the Transition for Your Child
If you are also expecting your second baby, here are some great books that you should add to your home library:
All About Babies
by Polly Zielonka
All About Babies is part of a 4-part series for older brothers and sisters. Each book covers about 3 months at a time, from Itty Bitty Newborn to Curious and Crawling, and all the way to Best Buddies. With the complete set, an older sibling would learn about important milestones in the first year and a half of a new sibling’s life. A Big Brother Learns All About Babies is also available by the same author.
Lift-the-Flap First Questions & Answers: Where Do Babies Come From?
by Katie Daynes
I love how this book, Where Do Babies Come From?, teaches kids about where babies come from, including humans, kittens, caterpillars, and many other animals. As you read, lift the flaps to learn how babies are made, when they are born, what new babies need, and how they grow.
For ages 4+
Say Hello to Baby
by Smriti Prasadam-Halls
During the first 18 months of your new baby’s life, Say Hello to Baby will come in very handy! This is a great guide for older siblings to know what to expect regarding the new arrival. This book can be read before the baby comes, but it’s also helpful for after their arrival. It is full of great facts to help older siblings know what milestones to expect and also how they can best interact and help out with their new sibling.
For ages 3-6
Soon
by Libby Gleeson
Soon is a sweet book with beautiful watercolor illustrations. In the story there is a young mouse excitedly anticipating the arrival of a sibling. The little one frequently asks when the baby will be here and always gets a simple response of, “Soon.” My son loves to read along with this book and answer the question for the little mouse.
For ages 3+
The New Baby
by Mercer Mayer
If you loved the Little Critter books as much as I did when I was young, then this book will be an exciting one to share with your firstborn. In The New Baby, he’s welcoming his little sister by helping with all of the day-to-day tasks that a new baby needs: changing diapers, rocking her to sleep, and many more relatable activities.
For ages 2-3
You’re the Biggest
by Lucy Tapper
In You’re the Biggest, older siblings have the opportunity to take the spotlight for all of the important roles they take on, especially the responsibility of being “someone to share your secrets.” Following two sweet fox siblings, the story beautifully praises the changes the whole family experiences. I also really love the illustrations in this book.
For ages 2-5
I Am a Big Brother!
by Caroline Jayne Church
This book has been a regular one in our reading rotation as we read some older sibling books with my first born. My son’s favorite page of I Am a Big Brother! mentions all of the great pictures he has enjoyed seeing of himself as a baby. This inspires a chat about the pictures on our walls of our oldest child when he was a baby. I think it helps to put the focus on him and how he was once a very tiny baby.
For ages 1-3
Little Big Girl
by Claire Keane
Little Big Girl has retro-style illustrations that take you on a big adventure. As a little girl, Matisse loves to tour the big city. Once her new brother arrives, she realizes that she’s taken on a new role as the BIG sister! She finds so much joy in sharing all of her favorite sights and places she enjoys with this new little one.
For ages 3-5
Babies Don’t Eat Pizza
by Dianne Danzig
My son’s favorite food is pizza. He requests it at every meal. Since this book mentions it in the title, I felt it was a must-read to prepare him for his sister’s arrival. Babies Don’t Eat Pizza covers every possible aspect of what a family might experience with their growing family. I appreciate that it discusses breastfeeding babies (many other books only talk about bottle-fed babies). It also shares about multicultural families, adoption, twins, premature babies, and many other possibilities a family might experience. This book is a great addition to your library!
Maple
by Lori Nichols
Maple by Lori Nichols follows the endearing story of a young girl named Maple who discovers the joys of nature and a new sibling. She and the tree that she grows up with know just how to help the baby. In this heartwarming series, Maple embarks on various adventures alongside her tree and her little sister, Willow, in the books “Maple & Willow Together” (about playing together) and “Maple & Willow Apart (the girls navigate big changes as Maple starts school).”
Pair Your Older Sibling Books with a Gift From the New Baby
Finding a unique gift to share with your child is also a sweet way to help them see how much you love them. They will need a lot of attention in the first weeks that baby has arrived. Many families like to give a gift to the older sibling and say that it is from the new baby. I love this idea because it helps to lessen the threat they might be feeling. Share something special with them:
Black and White Books
Allow the older sibling to pass on a love for books, by introducing these black and white books by illustrator Jane Foster. Each book in this series presents four read-aloud stories and high-contrast, bold artwork. They are specially designed to progress with baby in their first year.
Backpack for Kids
Skip Hop Backpack that doubles as a diaper bag for your toddler to use in pretend play.
Sibling Shirts
I love these shirts that pair together so perfectly. Did we just become best friends? Yep!
Baby Doll Carrier
A baby doll carrier so your child can wear their dolls around as your wear the new baby.
Cuddle & Kind Doll
A sweet doll from Cuddle & Kind. These dolls are great quality and will make a beautiful heirloom for your family to share.
Reading older sibling books with your child is one of the best ways to help them easily transition to such a big change in your family. Read regularly and often to make the most of this beautiful opportunity!
