Becoming a sibling can be an exciting yet stressful time for children; while there is much to look forward to, there are also a lot of changes and adjustments that can seem intimidating. One of the best ways to prepare youngsters for the arrival of a new sibling is taking the time to talk through what to expect and assure them that, when families grow, it only means that there will be more love to go around. To help facilitate these conversations, we’ve gathered seven books that tell stories of welcoming a new sibling home.
Nine Months: Before a Baby is Born by Miranda Paul, Illustrated by Jason Chin
Often, the best way to prepare a child for a big change is to simply be as honest with them as possible. Following a family of three — plus two dogs — as they prepare for the arrival of a new member, this marvelous exploration of how babies develop is perfectly translated into age-appropriate language and illustrations. Each two-page spread shows scenes of the family sharing the experience of awaiting the baby — from the older sibling receiving a “Big Sister” shirt, attending ultrasound appointments with her parents, and putting together a crib — as detailed illustrations and measurements of the baby’s natal growth and development are charted on the opposite page. Backmatter offers even more answers, including a thoughtful paragraph on pregnancy loss. Overall, a marvelous way to introduce the concept of a new baby that older siblings can come back to again and again as they await the big arrival.
What Color Is the Baby?: A Celebration of Skin Tones by Harshini Vankineni, Illustrated by Neha Rawat
Children often pick up far more than adults suspect they do — including their biases. In this thoughtful and powerful tale, the reader meets Kundana, who is anxiously awaiting the arrival of her baby sister. When she met Kuku in the hospital, Kundana was immediately smitten by her little sister’s soft coos and beautiful deep brown skin (the same color as their mother’s). Yet, during the Welcome Home celebration for Kuku, Kundana is surprised and distressed by the most frequently asked question: “What color is the baby?” Both an important look at how colorism, even when practiced subconsciously, can cause hurt and alienation and a beautiful celebration of Hindu traditions surrounding the birth of a child, this sweet story will leave readers cheering for Kundana’s sisterly courage and pride.
Little Big Girl by Claire Keane
Matisse is a little girl. Every morning, she brushes her little teeth, ties her little shoes, and gets into her little car seat to go off into her big, busy city. But when Matisse’s baby brother is born, she realizes that she’s not so little after all. Compared to him, she’s big! She decides that it’s her responsibility to help the new little one learn the ropes so they can explore the great big world together. Inspired by her own children, the author-illustrator takes a classic theme and infuses it with miles of heart. The theme of Matisse finding her place in the new order of things as both a little girl and a big sister will surely help older siblings with similar acclimations, and the work of Disney artist and illustration legend Keane is pure sweetness on every page.
Mama’s Belly by Kate Hosford, Illustrated by Abigail Halpin
The unnamed young protagonist knows her baby sister is on the way — she can see the swell of her Mama’s belly like a rising sea. She has a number of questions about the new arrival: Will her sister know her when she arrives? Will she have freckles like her? Will the girl have to share her beloved blanket with the baby? And lastly, will her parents have enough love for her and the baby to share? Her patient parents answer each question, and the little girl helps care for her Mama and prepare for the new arrival. Finally, the girl cuddles against her mother, stretching arms wide around her belly so that she can hug her mother and the new baby all at once. A sincere and meditative narrative invites readers into the mind of the curious — and perhaps a bit anxious — big-sister-to-be. Then, as her parents comfort her with reassuring words, the soothing text and vivid illustrations wrap around the reader like a cozy blanket.
Changing Tides: A Story of New Beginnings by Júlia Moscardó
Not all new siblings arrive as babies, and not all of them are younger. When Theo and his mom join Lula’s family, she’s nervous: She’s never had a big brother before, and she doesn’t know what to expect. On a family trip to the beach — Lula’s favorite place in the world — the little girl wonders how this visit will be different from previous ones. She and Theo slowly begin to interact, working together to build a sandcastle and learning to trust one another. Then, when disaster strikes, Lula learns that having a big brother can mean more than she’d ever imagined. A tender story that perfectly encapsulates the bonds of love that can be developed between siblings regardless of how they become so, this title is perfect for young readers who are navigating their own blending of families.
A Most Unusual Day by Sydra Mallery, Illustrated by E. B. Goodale
Most days, Caroline is eager to get out of bed and start her day… but not today. When rushing to the bus, she’s forgetful, leaving without her lunchbox or socks. At school, she is clumsy and inattentive; she tries to participate in lessons and help clean up but ends up making a mess of both. The reader is given hints — that her grandmother is watching her, that she is preparing for changes at home, that air travel is on her mind — that something big is coming. Sure enough, when her parents arrive to pick her up from school, they are exhausted and excited, holding a blanket-bundled baby from very far away: Caroline’s new baby sister. Caroline decides that this was indeed a most unusual day — the day her family became complete. A look at adoption from the perspective of an older sibling, this charming story assures young readers that feeling nervous about a new sibling’s arrival is perfectly natural.
100 Days: A Story of Sisterhood by Kimberly Lee, Illustrated by Michelle Jing Chan
Before her little sister Hana was born, Anya had lots of special days with her mom and dad: rainy days, park days, visits with family days. But lately, it seems like Hana gets all the attention, and there’s none left for Anya. Feeling overlooked since the baby’s arrival, it’s hard for Anya to be as excited as her family for Hana’s 百日宴 (Bǎirì yàn), a Chinese tradition that celebrates a baby’s 100th day with food, gifts, and a ceremonial haircut. When the big day arrives, Anya is feeling particularly neglected, but her favorite Aunt Vee offers her some surprising insights on sisterhood. Afterwards, when Anya comforts Hana through a scary moment, she begins to see that sometimes, love comes slowly. Both a refreshingly honest story of siblinghood and a lovely celebration of Chinese culture, this heartwarming story is a must-read for any youngster struggling with big sibling adjustments.
We hope that you and your young readers enjoy these titles, and that they help ease the transition into siblinghood! Happy reading!
Want to learn more about What Color Is the Baby? Check out our exclusive One-on-One interview with author Harshini Vankineni!
For all of our recommendations for mini bookworms, check out our Bookshop bookshelf.
