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Best Books About a New Sibling to Help Your Child Adjust

by Ivy B

Thinking about having a baby or have one on the way?  Sometimes your first child needs some help accepting that his or her life is about to change, dramatically.  These are the best books about a new sibling to help him or her cope.

I’m no expert on this, but I had finally gotten my daughter to agree to hug and kiss her new sibling.   It only took many months into my second pregnancy for her to accept that there would be a new baby in our lives.

When I first found out I was pregnant, I asked her if she would hug, kiss, and help out with the new baby.  “No” she’d respond sternly.

For as long as I can remember, she had never liked babies.  In fact, she’d always wanted to divert our attention from them and remind us SHE was the baby.  It wasn’t until she was about 3 years old that she started to become more comfortable around babies as she’s had a new baby cousin and lots of new babies in our playgroup.

When I realized she needed a little help understanding what being a sibling was like, I knew I wasn’t going to be offering much in the way of positive experiences to help her want to be a good big sister.  In my own upbringing, my family didn’t do much in the way of making a new sibling a positive experience for me.  I’ll spare you the details about my childhood experiences with a new baby brother.

I only know I didn’t want the same experience(s) for my daughter.

I wanted her to want to be helpful and enjoy having a new baby in the house.

I wanted it to be fun, but I also wanted her to know that she is just as important to us as she was when she was the only child in the house.

And, I needed to remember that my choice to have another baby didn’t mean that I should let her handle some of the dirty work when I wasn’t wanting to get left out of something.

That meant, in order to prepare her for being a good sister, I needed to prepare myself for trying to offer her a more positive experience as a big sister and first child.  So, I began borrowing books from the library so that we both could read up on bringing a new baby into our home, and what it means for all of us.

Is your child having trouble with the idea of being a big brother or sister? These are the best books about a new sibling to help them cope.
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I found the following books useful to help acclimate my daughter to the idea of having a new sibling.  And, I thought you might also like to purchase, or borrow from your local library, some of these!

I have included affiliate links to show you the books, so if you make a purchase after clicking on them, I will earn a small commission.  This is not a comprehensive list and not in any particular order.

 
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Hello in There!: A Big Sister’s Book of Waiting (Growing Hearts)
  • Hardcover Book
  • Witek, Jo (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 28 Pages – 05/07/2013 (Publication Date) – Harry N. Abrams (Publisher)

I just had to share this wonderful book I stumbled upon during my own pregnancy journey – “Hello in There!: A Big Sister’s Book of Waiting” by Jo Witek and Christine Roussey. It’s a real treasure, especially for those of us who are eagerly anticipating the arrival of a new little one.

This book is just so heartwarming and relatable. It tells the story of a little girl who’s about to become a big sister, and she’s bursting with excitement. The illustrations are absolutely charming, and there are these interactive flaps that kids adore. It’s all about her singing to her soon-to-arrive sibling and sharing all the amazing things waiting for them in the big, wide world. I think we can all relate to that sense of wonder and anticipation. What I love is that it’s part of the Growing Hearts series, which celebrates the emotional milestones in a toddler’s life. It captures that special sibling bond perfectly.

I have a feeling that, like me, you might end up reading this book to your little one every night before the baby arrives. It’s just such a sweet way to prepare our older kids for the new addition to the family. “Hello in There!” is a heartfelt, beautifully illustrated story that I think you and your child will treasure during this exciting time.

Big Brother Daniel (Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood)
  • Santomero, Angela C. (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 14 Pages – 01/06/2015 (Publication Date) – Simon Spotlight (Publisher)

In this sweet board book, Daniel Tiger is embarking on a new adventure – he’s becoming a big brother to Baby Margaret! As we all know, having a new baby in the house means lots of love and care, and in this story, Daniel is right there to lend a helping hand to Mom and Dad. It’s a heartwarming tale that beautifully captures the joy and challenges of becoming a big brother.

What I love about “Big Brother Daniel” is that it’s not just a story; it’s a way to start a conversation with your little one about their new role as a big sibling. The story is based on a very special episode of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, and it’s perfect for those moments when you want to gently prepare your child for the changes that a new baby will bring. Plus, who can resist the charm of Daniel Tiger? It’s a delightful read that I think you and your child will cherish as you navigate this exciting journey of expanding your family.

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Big Sisters Are the Best (Fiction Picture Books)
  • Sweet small book for new big sisters
  • Encourage gentleness, a helpful spirit, and self worth
  • Teaches little ways for sister to help with baby
  • Adorable illustrated pictures hold attention
  • Delight and entertaining for little girls

This gem is perfect for getting your toddler ready to embrace the role of a big sister. It beautifully highlights all the wonderful things that come with this new journey, from smiles and hugs to the unique capabilities that big sisters have. It’s an empowering and heartwarming read that will help your little one prepare for the arrival of their new sibling while boosting their confidence about their important role in the family. A must-have for this exciting transition!

What to Expect When Mommy’s Having a Baby (What to Expect Kids)
  • Murkoff, Heidi (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 24 Pages – 01/20/2004 (Publication Date) – HarperFestival (Publisher)
note: This book uses some mature language about body parts – just want you to be aware that this is a very informative and educational book that isn’t dumbed down.
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I’m a Big Sister
  • Hardcover Book
  • Cole, Joanna (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 32 Pages – 01/05/2010 (Publication Date) – HarperCollins (Publisher)

This heartwarming picture book, narrated by a curious new older sibling, beautifully captures the joys and wonders of welcoming a new baby. Through simple, relatable text and adorable illustrations, children discover the special roles and responsibilities of being a big brother or sister, fostering excitement and understanding for this wonderful change.

With an insightful author’s note offering guidance and reassurance to big siblings, this book is a must-have for any family preparing for a new addition.

I Love My Little Brother: A book to help your older child welcome a new baby in the family
  • Chia, Serene (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 31 Pages – 11/04/2023 (Publication Date) – Serene Chia (Publisher)

Follow an older sister’s journey as she learns to navigate her feelings about the new arrival. Children will discover how to manage jealousy and understand that even more love is possible within a growing family.

Plus, get FREE expert tips from a Clinical Psychologist to ease the transition.

I’m sure there were other books we’ve read, but pregnancy brain has gotten to me (and I didn’t think to write a list every time we picked up a book).  Oops!
 
These were helpful and my daughter has come around more to the idea of having a new baby in the house.  I have also found that letting her know there are so many things she gets to teach the baby (like brushing up on our sign language and Spanish vocab) has her more excited.  And, when she finally got to see the baby move in the belly, her face lit up with pure joy.  I’m certain we still have quite a ride when the baby arrives, but I’m feeling more confident that it’s not a huge disappointment for her.

More Books for Big Sisters | More Books for Big Brothers

Do you have any books you recommend for families to read with their children to help them prepare for a new sibling?  Please share!  

This post Books About A New Sibling originally appeared July 2015 and has been updated.

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5 comments

Scarlet August 5, 2020 - 8:42 am

These books are such a great idea because they are great at starting conversations and helping the toddler know what to expect when new baby arrives. I wrote a journal with prompts and activities for exploring that further. It is important for the older sibling to be reassured.

Terri Williams April 17, 2021 - 3:08 am

Awesome Freebie! I am following!!! 😀………….

Terri Williams April 19, 2021 - 4:38 am

just awesome, thanks tons for creating a pleasant Post for us………..

advicebeast May 29, 2021 - 6:43 am

Where you can get information about this book kindly share your experience about this.

jafra October 2, 2023 - 10:21 pm

interesting gui I like these topics of family and upbringing it is true one learns a lot

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