Books For New Siblings

Children may have a lot of uncertainty about the arrival of a new baby. These books can help by explaining to a child what the effect of a new baby will be and explaining feelings and events that may occur.

Basic Factual Books

Campbell, Stuart Watch me grow: A week by week development of a foetus.
Cocovini, Abby What's inside your tummy, mummy?: A book for introducing a young child to the concept of where babies come from and how they grow. It discusses various changes going on inside ‘mummy's tummy’ with ‘life-size’ drawings. Every month a new picture shows how big baby is and how far along a timeline (featured at the foot of each spread) baby has moved.
Davis, Jennifer Before you were big: A mother relates the milestones in her preschooler's life from the day she was born to her first birthday.
Deveny, Catherine Our new baby: Basic explanation of what happens with the arrival of a new baby in the family.
Lasky, Kathryn Love that baby: A book about how babies act and what makes them happy for "new brothers, sisters, cousins and friends."
Our new baby: A board book showing one boy's typical experience of the arrival of a new sister. First Experiences series.

Sibling Jealousy

Allen, Pamela Cuthbert's babies: Cuthbert's Mother has 4 new babies and he finds it hard to get noticed, until 3 naughty pirates come to entertain him.
Anholt, Catherine and Laurence Sophie and the new baby: Sophie gets a new baby brother and she finds it hard to adjust, but with the changing seasons she learns to love her new brother.
Alexander, Martha Nobody asked me if I wanted a baby sister: Resenting the attention and praise lavished on his new baby sister, Oliver tries to give her away to several people in the neighbourhood. But it turns out that even if he didn't want her, his baby sister wants him!
Gray, Kes Ever so, ever so: Everyone thinks Baby Susan is ever so cute, clever, strong, active and funny. Everyone, that is, apart from her big sister, whose initial enthusiasm quickly wanes, and the long-suffering family dog.
Hall, Algy Craig Fine as we are: Little Frog was very happy just being with his mom. Then the baby frogs came. Lots of baby frogs.
Holabird, Katharine Angelina's baby sister: Angelina is really looking forward to having a new baby sister, but she finds she doesn't get as much attention as she might like.
Lloyd, Sam Mr Pusskins and little whiskers: Life for Emily and Mr Pusskins is dreamy, until the day she comes home with a Very Special Present …a Kitten! Even though Little Whiskers is small and looks awfully angelic, she is not. She a tiny package of peskiness. So how will Mr Pusskins deal with this naughty nuisance, and will they ever get on?
Moon, Nicola Something Special: Charlie can't find anything to take to school to show for "special" day, until he remembers that he does have a new baby sister. But it isn't always easy with someone else in the house.
Newman, Marjorie Just Like You Did: When a new baby comes in to the house Tom is upset. He feels that the baby takes up everyone's time. In fact he HATES the baby! When his parents notice he's upset they reassure him that once upon a time he too was a little baby, and needed lots of attention, and one day the baby will be a boy like him.
Voake, Charlotte Ginger: Ginger doesn't like the naughty new kitten in his house but soon they are reconciled.

Other Books

Clay, Jenny The smile in the moon: Describes the feelings experienced by an older brother, when there is a new baby in the home.
Cousins, Lucy Za-za's baby brother: Za-za's family have a new baby and this means some changes for Za-za.
Edwards, Hazel Hey Hippopotamus, do babies eat cake too?: A little girl asks lots of questions about the family's new baby; sometimes Mum and Dad laugh, but the hippopotamus on the roof knows what she means.
Gliori, Debi Penguin Post: Milo the Penguin delivers things for all the new babies of the arctic and last of all he returns home to bring the new baby to his family.
Hill, Eric Spot's baby sister: Spot is excited about his new baby sister and soon she is happily playing with Spot and his friends.
London, Jonathan Froggy's baby sister: Froggy can't wait to play with his new baby sister but he learns that it is just as much fun to look after her.
McBratney, Sam You're all my favourites: A family of bears worry about which of them is their parents favourite only to learn that they are all equally loved and valued.
Norling, Beth Little Sisters Are: Little sisters can be tiny, cuddly, smelly and sad. They can be bouncy, lumpy, sticky and brave. Little sisters can hide in small places and they can make you laugh. Sisters can be a lot of things, but most importantly, a sister can be a best friend.
Overend, Jenni Hello baby: Warm portrayal of a family's experience of home birth. Graphic pictures.
Sutcliffe, Mandy Evie's Seaside Lullaby: A tender, warm and wondrous story of a small girl's adventure-filled, imaginary journey, as she learns to cherish her new baby brother.
Waddell, Martin When the teddy bears came: When the new baby comes to Tom's house she gets so many teddy bears as gifts that he is worried that there won't be any more room for him. But he is reassured that everyone can help look after the bears and the baby.
Walsh, Melanie Minnie and her baby brother: Flaps show the differences between a big sister and her baby brother. They have different abilities but still love each other and have lots of fun.

Audio visual material

Three Bears and a New Baby: Sesame Street explores what happens when the three bears get a new baby. Baby bear has a bit of trouble adjusting but with the help of his friend Big Bird he is able to become an expert big brother.