No book can ever make the process of welcoming a new child into your family completely seamless and free of pain. However, storytelling is a great way to help your child (and you!) navigate this monumental transition with a sense of the many feelings and possibilities that can accompany baby’s arrival. Here are some children’s books my family and I enjoy about this remarkable time of life.
Before baby: Pregnancy etc.
Where Did I Come From? by Peter Mayle
When You Were in Mommy by Joanna Cole
What’s inside Your Tummy, Mommy? by Abby Cocovini
Hello in there! A Big Sister’s Book of Waiting by Jo Witek
The Baby Tree by Sophie Blackall
Mixed up feelings
Darci and Gran Don’t Like Babies by Jane Cutler
Big Red Lollipop by Rukhsana Khan
Sheila Rae’s Peppermint Stick by Kevin Henkes
Julius, the Baby of the World by Kevin Henkes
Pecan Pie Baby by Jacqueline Woodson
The New Small Person by Lauren Child
A Baby Sister for Frances by Russell Hoban
The Pain and the Great One by Judy Blume
The New Baby by Fred Rogers
Too Small for Honey Cake by Gillian Lobel
Princess Lydi and the Baby Brother by Genie Webb
Lulu Is Getting a Sister (Who Wants Her? Who Needs Her?) by Judith Viorst
Babies Can’t Eat Kimchee by Nanzy Patz
Sweet and Sentimental
The New Baby by Mercer Mayer
I’m a Big Sister/Brother by Joanna Cole
Little Miss, Big Sis by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
The Berenstain Bears’ New Baby by Stan and Jan Berenstain
I’m a Big Sister Now by Katura Hudson
Silly!
King Baby by Kate Beaton
For additional reading:
- The Six Magic B’s: Inexpensive things to do with siblings ages 0-5
- Parent Q&A: When toddler bites really bite
- Parent Q&A: Two kids, one parent, and a screen
Rebekka Helford is a licensed marriage and family therapist in private practice in Los Angeles, California. With over a decade of experience working with parents and young children, Rebekka specializes in short-term intensive parenting consultation, using a variety of tools including home, office, and school visits to help families navigate developmental hiccups and get back on track. Virtual visits now available!
Click here to schedule an appointment or contact Rebekka with a question – who knows, she might even answer it in her next post!
Rebekka Helford, LMFT 
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