Books can help your older kids feel ready for their new sibling.
There’s something about cozying up to a loved one and reading a book together. Especially as our world starts to feel more and more digital and busy and chaotic, the act of reading a physical book, of taking a moment to be present with the people and objects around us, can almost feel rebellious.
That’s why, from the time my oldest was just a few months old, I’ve carved out time every day to just read with my kids.
They love it. I love it. (Most of the time… remind me to throw out those 5 Minute Disney stories.) And it’s the perfect time to start to broach hard topics that I want them to think about.
So when my sister-in-law gifted us a book titled You’re a Big Sister by David Bedford and illustrated by Susie Poole, I was so excited to read it to my then-two-year-old oldest to start the conversation about what a new baby would bring into our lives. And we pulled it out again and again before the arrival of each new baby to our family. My oldest even started requesting it on her own when I was pregnant with our fourth, because she knew what was coming and wanted to see it in a book.me of the best books you can snag for your girl who’s about to be a new big sister.
Best Books About Being a Big Sister
There are so many reasons to read books like this to your older kids before a new baby arrives.
- Looking at the pictures can help them vialize themselves in the role of big sibling.
- Learning about the things a new baby does, like crying and sleeping a lot, can help them feel more prepared and knowledgeable when the real one comes home.
- And, of course, reading with you about how your family is changing helps build connection and a sense of family.
So, here are some of the best books to read to your daughter about becoming a big sister to a new baby.
I’ve linked the books below to their listings on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
You’re a Big Sister by David Bedford
This is the one my sister-in-law gifted to us, and we’ve read it over and over again each time I was expecting. I love that it mentions both the good and bad kids can expect from a new baby. (They’ll get to be a helper and teach the baby new things–but babies also “dribble, kick, and might even get sick.” Plus, they’re stinky and loud!) This is a rhyming book that’s great for younger kids.
Welcome to the Big Kids Club: What Every Older Sibling Needs to Know by Chelsea Clinton
This one takes a bit more of a scientific approach to this whole new-baby-business, which makes it great for kids that are just a tad older and in that curious stage. It answers questions like, “Can my baby see/hear me?”
Little Miss, Big Sis by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
This one comes in a board book edition, a great feature if one or more of your older kids is a toddler who likes to *literally* tear into books. And with its fun rhyming cadence, it’s sure to keep the attention of the littles, too. (Awesome for when, like me, you’re reading to a 6-year-old… and a 3-year-old… and a 1-year old.)
Put these titles on repeat during your pregnancy.
As parents, we all know that for our kids to truly hear anything we say, we have to say it again… and again… and again.
That’s just as true with big, important topics.
As a mom of four, it is so, so easy for me to get caught up in daily routines and forget to take time to sit with my kids, be in the moment, look them in the eyes, and just talk. About the big things and the little things. About how they’re feeling and what’s changing in our lives. About who we are and who we want to be.
But because story time is built into our bedtime routine, it’s a natural time and place for me to do exactly that. And having the stories themselves serve as a jumping-off point into the topics I want to discuss makes everything easier.
Because the more prepared your older kids are for the new baby, the smoother the transition will be for everyone!
What have been your favorite books to read to older siblings?
Gumboots and Rainbows 