Big brother books are essential when you have a son at home and a new baby on the way. This list of books about becoming a big sibling will help your family prepare for the arrival of your new bundle of joy. Check out the stories below!
New baby must-have? Books for the soon-to-be big brother!
There’s nothing quite like learning you’re pregnant for the first time. I remember those first few weeks vividly, feeling like my heart would float right out of my body, my cheeks would freeze in place and the goofy smile plastered across my face would be stuck there for all eternity. I experienced the highest of highs and felt giddy to the point of euphoria — all while battling the most bone-crushing exhaustion I’d ever experienced before.
Fatigue, nausea, and hot flashes aside, would I ever feel this jubilation again?
Of course, I would.
I experienced it again when my baby boy was actually born — and then again when I learned, on my son’s first birthday, that I was pregnant with a second child.
This time, however, my excitement to be pregnant was tempered by a small, nagging concern: my big one would only be 21 months old when his little brother was due to arrive. How on earth would he respond to a new baby in our home?
Big brother books are vital to prepare kids for a new baby!
Once I was safely in my second trimester, I knew I had to start preparing baby number one for baby number two. And, of course, I turned to the thing I knew best: stories.
There are so many reasons for using books to prepare a child to become a new big sister or brother, and I quickly found that reading stories about babies, big brothers, and big sisters organically introduced this concept to my son.
It would be impossible for me to say that my then one-year-old took everything in and gained instrumental knowledge from these stories. But I do believe that being able to point to a mother’s round belly in a picture book — and then pointing to my own round tummy, all while repeating the word “baby” — helped significantly. Same with repeating the words “big” and “brother” over and over again, with illustrations to emphasize these concepts. Simply put, reading stories about a child becoming a big sibling helped us help our son recognize he would soon have an exciting new role in the house.
Though my son was too little to ask much in the way of questions, big brother books provide kids with safe spaces in which to inquire about the upcoming baby, how the infant will affect their family, and whether there is enough room for everyone in the home. These books also give children a story to relate to, characters to empathize with, and experiences to learn from.
The best part?
When your child feels comfortable with — and excited about — his upcoming role as a big sibling, you can let go of your anxiety and keep on keeping on with that floating heart and giddy smile.
It’s a win-win!
Frequently asked questions
Absolutely! Check out this list of our favorite big sister books!
Nine Months: Before a Baby is Born, by Miranda Paul and Jason Chin (featured below), is absolutely phenomenal. I love the way it juxtaposes pictures of the baby growing in mommy’s belly on one side of the spread, with the family getting ready on the other. This is a treasure for families, and I cannot rave about it enough!
My son was not even two when we were preparing him for his baby brother, so I loved the very simple I’m a Big Brother, by Joanna Cole. For bigger kids, Spellbound, by Jess Townes and Jennifer Harney, and The New Small Person, by Lauren Child, are absolutely fabulous. Both are perfect for big brothers and big sisters!
Big brother books to help prepare for a new baby
Here are some essential big brother books that are perfect to have on hand, no matter the gender of the child already in your home. From learning how a baby grows to teaching children how to care for a new baby to exploring the frustrations big brothers often feel when an infant invades their home, these books are all winners!
This is a lyrical, beautiful story about a family of three waiting for a baby girl to arrive. The left side of each spread details how the baby grows in mommy’s tummy, and the right side depicts the family preparing for the baby. The seasons change as the fetus grows, and as the baby gets bigger, the left panels begin to push onto the right ones, beautifully building the quiet anticipation as the three await their new bundle of joy. Even better? The detailed back matter is fabulously kid-friendly, helping you explain to your child what really happens during the nine months of pregnancy.
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Elmore Green is the center of his parents’ world, but when the baby arrives, Elmore wishes this new small person could go back to where he came from. What follows is a pitch-perfect story of Elmore’s emotional transformation as a big brother, from struggling to find his place in the family to feelings of jealousy, anger, and even indifference to falling hard for his new sibling. Elmore works through these emotions in such a relatable way that even young kids will be able to identify with his challenges. And the payoff — the way in which Elmore’s little brother comes to his rescue, which becomes the catalyst to Elmore’s gradual acceptance of his younger sibling — is sweet and emotionally resonant without being saccharine. This is one of our all-time favorite big brother books! For our full review of The New Small Person, click here!
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There is no doubt about it: new babies are mesmerizing! When they arrive, it’s as if someone casts a spell on every grownup who holds that tiny bundle. This is the dilemma young Willow faces when her new baby brother, Rowen, arrives. Willow and her sweet bunny love to play pretend, and they especially love magic. But will Willow’s magical powers be strong enough to break the charm that Rowen has cast on all of the adults? Or will Willow eventually become hypnotized by Rowen’s charm, too? This is hands down a favorite book for new big brothers and big sisters. It’s fun, unique, and such a creative take on becoming a big sibling!
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“You can be a big helper, in your family!” Not gonna lie – Daniel Tiger is one of the best shows to happen to our family. He teaches compassion, patience, how to express feelings, and, in this fabulous book, how you can be a big helper to mom and dad when they come home with a new baby. We love everything about Daniel, and these are the only books based on television shows I highly recommend!
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In this classic series, Little Critter has a brand new baby sister. He’s so excited! Except, when he reads to the baby, she cries, and when he makes his funniest faces at the baby, she cries even more! So what can he do with the baby? In this sweet and simple book, toddlers and young kids will be able to relate to what happens when a new bundle of joy joins the house!
Life with a newborn isn’t always easy. In fact, with days revolving around a new baby’s demands, it can seem like the little bundle of joy is more akin to a dictator than a darling. Sure, babies love cooing and kisses, but sometimes, the cries, whines, and screams can run a family ragged! With humor and charm, this is a delightfully fun read for all families expecting a new baby!
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Louie the puppy dog lives a pretty perfect life. But suddenly, he notices that mom’s belly is getting bigger — and rounder. And then? Lots of new stuff starts coming to the house — stuff like two cribs, two hiking pouches, and even a double stroller! Louie thinks his life is over. But then he meets his baby brother, and he realizes that his parents have plenty of love for everyone. This is one of my favorite big brother books that children just love!
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Did you hear? Babies ruin everything! After all, they can’t stand up, they drool over everything, and they don’t even like birthday parties. It’s super frustrating to one little girl — until she realizes that maybe she is just a small part of the problem. If only she opens her heart a bit, maybe she‘ll become one awesome big sis — and maybe the baby is perfect just the way he is. A fun and empowering book for new big brothers and sisters!
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Our favorite big brother books
We love these books that are specific to new big brothers. Enjoy!
“Someone new is at our house. Do you know who it is?” This book is virtually identical to its companion, I’m a Big Sister, simply with a big brother protagonist rather than a big sister. Again, this simple primer about a big brother who is still pretty little himself is perfect for your youngest kids. It’s one of the simplest big brother books that describes the exciting role a new big sibling gets to take on — helping parents with the family’s newest bundle of joy!
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This big brother book was a godsend for us when we introduced baby number two into our family — I fell in love with it the second I pulled it off the shelf! Getting a new baby seems fun and all, but what’s with all of these naps?! In this story, the adorable narrator keeps telling readers to shhhhh! because, of course, his new brother is sleeping. But those pots are just begging to be banged, and those blocks are just waiting to be made into a tower. Will big bro wake the sleeping baby? And what happens when the tables are turned? Though this may be hard to find, it was one of our most beloved big brother books when my little one was born!
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Baby giraffe adores her big brother — so much so that she wants to be just like him. During a game of hide and seek, she makes it clear how much she adores big bro because he is tall and fast and so much braver than her. But with the help of the animals the baby encounters, she realizes she is brave and fast and tall too, and she has a big brother that will always make sure she’s safe. We simply love this one — it’s one of those simple, perfect big brother books for kids who are excited to learn what it might be like to have an adoring little sibling!
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Brothers can do so many amazing things! From pushing each other on swings, to going to the library to playing a game of tag, there is no limit to the fun two little boys can have. But what do brothers do best? The answer is simple — they give you lots and lots of love. This is one of the most gifted big brother books for a reason. Sweet, simple, and charming!
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Mommy’s belly is getting bigger. And rounder. Something really strange is happening, and when mommy eventually show’s Archie pictures of the baby growing in her tummy, Archie is pretty convinced it’s an alien. But it’s not an alien, of course. It’s a little sister! Their house quickly turns various shades of pink, and when the new baby arrives, Archie thinks she looks just like a marshmallow. Will life in Archie’s house ever be the same again?
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Peter has a new baby sister, and he suddenly discovers that all of his old things are no longer his, but the baby’s instead. To make matters worse, his old crib was painted pink, and his cradle, too! Next to be painted is Peter’s favorite blue chair, and Peter decides he simply won’t stand for it. He decides to run away instead — and he brings his chair with him. But when he actually tries to sit in his chair, he realizes he no longer fits! And this may be just the fiasco he needed to change his perspective. A perfect tale of sibling rivalry that is a must for every bookshelf!
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This is such a fun list! One of our favorites is "Lola Read to Leo". It is a really sweet way to talk about a new baby.
This list is awesome and so valuable!! Thank you, thank you!
These are fantastic! WE also love 15 Things not to do with a baby – a favorite of ours when I was expecting my 2nd!
This list is perfect for future big siblings! Thank you so much!!