You might say that life and death are the two questions I am asked for the most when it comes to finding books to help young children understand their changing world. In this book list, we’ll cover the happier event , the arrival of a new sibling.
These days, there is less surprise when a new child is expected. Unless mom and dad choose to be surprised, the whole family knows whether to expect a boy or a girl, frequently a name has already been selected, and the older child has been told repeatedly that the baby in mommy’s tummy will need special love and care. Many families represent it to the older child as a promotion, of sorts: younger child or only child to the child who sets the pace for the new sibling.
It’s still hard for the older child to understand what is going on (leading one of my sisters to threaten to throw me in the sewer when I was brought home from the hospital). The following books may help your child understand the transition and what to expect when their family is expecting a new arrival:
Babies Don’t Eat Pizza, by Deanne Danzig.
This is a fairly straightforward “care and feeding” of the newcomer that explains how the new baby will fit into the family structure. It also includes notes for parents on how to prepare siblings for the new arrival.
Big Sister Now, by Annette Sheldon.
AND
Big Brother Now, by Annette Sheldon.
This is actually two separate books which help children to learn about sharing their parents with a new baby.
Waiting for Baby, by Rachel Fuller.
This is a toddler board book (heavier pages designed for nibbling as well as reading) that explain to the youngest reader that they will have a new sibling and how to prepare for his/her arrival. Because of the age of the sister or brother, it’s likely that this book will be more of a comfort to mommy than to the child.
Baby on the Way, by William Sears, MD.
This is an interesting perspective for the older child, since Dr. Sears includes things like how mommy is feeling while waiting for the baby, how the family gets ready to welcome the child, and how things will change when the new baby arrives. A bit more detailed than the fiction books on the same subject.
There’s Going to be a Baby, by John Birmingham.
A young boy imagines what life will be like when his new sibling arrives.
Little Rabbit’s New Baby, by Harry Horse.
Little Rabbit has looked forward to being a new brother, but when his mother brings home triplets, it’s a bit harder than he expected.
Nobody Asked Me If I Wanted a Baby Sister, by Martha Alexander.
Resenting the attention that his new sister is getting, Oliver tries to give her away to someone else in the neighborhood.
Big Brothers Don’t Take Naps, by Louise Borden.
Little brother Nick lists all the things that his big brother does with him and takes pride in the fact that he will now be able to do the same things for his new sibling.
Tell Me a Story, Mama, by Deb Lund.
A mother tells her daughter about waiting for her to be born as they both look forward to the arrival of a new child in the family.
Samuel’s Baby, by Mark Elkins.
Samuel announces during kindergarten show and tell that he is expecting a new baby at his house, leaving his classmates to guess at what the new baby will be (everything from twins to kittens). Samuel is able to demonstrate how he will help his mom care for the new baby.
Where Did That Baby Come From, by Debi Giori.
A small animal wonders where his strange, squeaky, leaky sibling came from and whether it’s possible to set it free, again.
Lola Reads to Leo, by Anna McQuinn.
Lola reads stories with her new baby brother, Leo, just as her parents read to her. She is pleased to learn that, even with the new baby in the house, her parents still have time to share bedtime stories with their older daughter.
The possibilities in this category are nearly endless, but this sampling should give you at least enough books to get your older child ready for the awesome responsibility of becoming a bog brother or sister.
– by Lois Rubin Gross, Children’s Librarian
Hoboken Public Library Blog 