Children’s books about babies and new siblings

March 6, 2025

Hey there, ho there, good people. This mini issue is a long time coming — one you’ve asked for repeatedly, so here I am, delivering.

For anyone looking for children’s books about siblings that are not babies and not new, I have another mini issue on that topic that may meet your needs:

Children's books about siblings

This issue, however, is for those of you who are expecting or have perhaps already received new little folks in your family, and/or those of you with children obsessed with babies in general (it seems to be a phase).

There are many of these titles out there and of course, your own additions are always welcome — leave a comment if you’d like to share titles I’ve missed.

Mini issue: Babies and new siblings

• The Berenstain Bears’ New Baby by Stan and Jan Berenstain

• The Baby Tree by Sophie Blackall

• I Am a Big Sister! and I Am a Big Brother! by Caroline Jayne Church

• The New Baby at Your House by Joanna Cole

• The New Baby by Rachel Fuller

• Waiting for Baby by Rachel Fuller

• Julius the Baby of the World by Kevin Henkes

• A Baby Sister for Frances by Russell Hoban

• Angelina’s Baby Sister by Katharine Holabird

• The New Baby and Me by Christine Kidney

• When You’re Older by Sofie Laguna

• You Were the First by Patricia MacLachlan (only really applies to first children)

• Alligator Baby by Robert Munsch (read this one if you need to bring a little levity to the situation — the humor is irresistible)

• How to Welcome a New Baby by Jean Reagan

• The New Baby by Fred Rogers (I am just waiting for someone to publish new versions of the Mister Rodgers’ Neighborhood series — they’re terribly outdated but so great for many situations and issues little children deal with)

• My Brother the Duck by Pat Zietlow Miller

The Baby Tree by Sophie Blackall, Julius the Baby of the World by Kevin Henkes, and Alligator Baby by Robert Munsch

There are a couple of books worth calling out especially, as they take a realistic approach — very Montessori; i.e., there is no fantasy whatsoever here, and these include real photos of real children in the real situation of expecting a new sibling. What these types of titles lack in storytelling and verve, they make up for in usefulness — they’re as close to Social Stories as one can get without personally writing one yourself (which, incidentally, I have done — written Social Stories for one of my children, and even made a photo book, with my own “story,” to help my children deal with a particularly challenging problem).

These are:

• Now That Baby is Here: A Book About Becoming A Big Sibling by Kaela Teitge

• I’m a Big Sister and I’m a Big Brother by Amy Kathleen Pittman

Sometimes, in some instances, like having an entirely new, tiny, unpredictable human show up to live in their house one random day, very small children — 18 months to 3-4 years old — need to read realistic books in order to begin to understand what’s happening. These are not titles that win any awards, and they’re probably not ones you’re going to enjoy reading or even keep after this season of your life is over. But don’t underestimate their power for your littlest listeners.

---

Micro review: Nine Months: Before a Baby is Born by Miranda Paul (2019)

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my favorite book about pregnancy — which is not exactly the same as a “new baby book,” but isn’t inapplicable, either, as looking at it from a scientific standpoint, especially for older kiddos, can be fascinating.

With this simple lyrical poem, Paul seamlessly blends science and storytelling in such a gorgeous way that it’s difficult to believe it’s also so accessible for young readers. The rhythmic verse and detailed illustrations here capture the detail and wonder of life before birth — not only are Chin’s watercolors and gouache on paper captivating, they’re true to size, so readers (of all ages!) can follow along with the development of a baby.

There is a loose narrative that frames this, too, making it both informative and heartwarming — the perfect read for families expecting a new addition.

---

Help me out

I’m working on my summer content (of course I am — I’m frankly surprised I’m not working on my fall content 😆 ) and wondering: would you be interested in a sort of “book gift guide” for summer? Something to help you purchase a few new books to kick off what can often be a particularly difficult time of year to keep up with reading routines and interest?

As always, I use your input to make decisions about this newsletter, so thank you for your feedback!

Read good books and take good care 😘
Sarah