Big Brother and Big Sister Books to Welcome a New Baby

Last Updated on March 9, 2026 by Jordyn Koveleski Gorman

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Welcoming a new baby into the family is exciting! But it also comes with some questions like, “Will my toddler adjust well?” or “How can I prepare my little one for a new baby?” As a mom of two, and another coming soon, I’ve had all the same questions.

Books are great resources for helping kids understand concepts and go through transitions. We did some digging to find the best new sibling books. And in the process, I found my favorite big brother book and big sister book, along with some other favorites. I’ve been reading so many of these titles to my son and daughter as they prepare to be a big brother (again!) and a big sister.

Here are some of our recommended titles for prepping little ones for their role as a big brother or sister!

Our Favorite Big Sister Book

The Littlest Yak and the New Arrival

Price: $8.99
Author: Lu Fraser
Highlights: a mother’s love, sharing
Characters: big sister, mom, grandma, gender-neutral baby

Our favorite big sister book follows Gertie the Yak as she anxiously awaits a new sibling. It’s warm and reassuring, and it teaches children about a mother’s love for each of her babies.

I love the emphasis on sharing—both Mom’s attention and beloved items—and how Gertie works through these changes. With rhymes and beautiful illustrations, we’ve read this book often to prepare for a new sibling.

Top Picks: Big Sister Books

I am a Big Sister!

Price: $6.99
Author: Caroline Jayne Church
Highlights: role of a big sister, helping with the new baby
Characters: big sister, mommy, daddy, gender neutral baby

We love this sweet, rhyming big sister book. It focuses on all the ways a big sister can help with the baby. She can throw away a dirty diaper or play quietly while the baby sleeps.

I love the cute illustrations and the simple wording, which is easy for toddlers to understand. Overall, this is a great book about a big sister’s role and a family’s love. We also love Caroline Jayne Church’s I Am a Big Brother book!

Hello in There! A Big Sister’s Book of Waiting

Price: $18.99
Author: Jo Witek
Highlights: waiting for baby, lift-the-flaps
Characters: big sister, gender neutral baby

A big sister book all about waiting for the baby to arrive. While the mom’s face is never shown in the book, her growing bump appears on each page!

Future big sisters can lift the flaps placed on Mommy’s belly to see the baby growing inside. The flaps start small and get bigger with each page as the baby grows. It’s such a fun way to involve your little one in the wait for a new baby. Even big brothers will understand the concept!

Big Sisters are the Best

Price: $9.99
Author: Fran Manushkin
Highlights: differences between big sisters and babies, helping, reassurance
Characters: big sister, mommy, daddy, gender neutral baby

This book covers a lot of ground when transitioning a toddler into siblinghood—from the excitement of waiting for the baby to big-sister responsibilities and more.

I love how the book illustrates Mommy and Daddy still playing with and spending time with the main character. It shows little ones that a parent’s love continues to grow even when a new baby comes along.

Our Favorite Big Brother Book

I am a Big Brother!

Price: $6.50
Author: Caroline Jayne Church
Highlights: ways a big brother can help with new baby
Characters: big brother, mommy, daddy, gender-neutral baby

I think this is one of the best big brother books, especially for young toddlers. It has simple, rhyming text, making it easy for toddlers to understand.

The book focuses on all the ways a big brother can help with a new baby. It’s a great way to make little ones feel important and included as you welcome a new baby into your family!

We love the new sibling books from Caroline Jayne Church. I got them for both my kids when I found out I was pregnant with baby #3!

Top Picks: Big Brother Books

I’m a Big Brother!

Price: $9.99
Author: Joanna Cole
Highlights: differences between big brothers and babies, still being special to mommy & daddy
Characters: big brother, mommy, daddy, gender-neutral baby

Told from a big brother’s perspective, this book is reassuring for little ones as a new baby enters the home. It shares a positive message about welcoming a baby and helping out, too.

It makes new brothers feel special as it points out the differences between older siblings and the baby. I love how this book emphasizes that big brother is still special and loved by Mommy and Daddy.

Big Brother Daniel

Price: $6.50
Author: Angela C. Santomero
Highlights: being a helper in the family, welcoming a new sibling
Characters: big brother Daniel, mommy, daddy, baby sister Margaret

This board book is perfect for toddlers welcoming a new sibling. The storyline is simple and positive—perfect for little ones to understand.

In this book, Daniel learns how he can be a helper with the new baby! It also emphasizes that Daniel will still get special one-on-one time with his parents while the baby sleeps.

One thing to note: the baby in this story is not gender-neutral. Daniel welcomes a little sister named Margaret.

You’re a Big Brother

Price: $9.99
Author: Rose Harkness
Highlights: the role of a big brother, conversation starters about changes
Characters: big brother, mommy, daddy, gender neutral baby

This made our list of big brother books because it’s simple but provides a lot of good conversation starters. It talks about what a big brother can teach the baby, how they can share, and more.

It also discusses how sometimes it can be hard when the baby doesn’t sleep and Mommy and Daddy are too tired to play. This provides a great opportunity to talk about a baby’s needs and other expectations.

New Sibling Books

You’re Getting a Baby Sister! or You’re Getting a Baby Brother!

Price: $8.99
Author: Sheila Sweeny Higginson
Highlights: realistic things to expect, how older siblings can teach baby
Characters: older sibling and a baby sister/baby brother

These affordable books about welcoming a sibling are great if you know what you’re having! The text is easy to understand and features sweet rhymes. It’s a great primer for preparing toddlers for a new baby.

What I love most is the spot at the end where you can personalize the book. You can write the baby’s name, what your child is excited to teach them, and even include a photo.

My New Baby

Price: $4.99
Author: Rachel Fuller
Highlights: illustrates mother nursing, common questions about babies
Characters: gender neutral child, mommy, daddy, gender neutral baby

My New Baby is a great book to read when preparing for a new sibling to arrive. I love that the main character and baby are gender-neutral, which leaves more room to personalize the story as you read.

Many reviewers note that this is one of the few new-sibling books that includes illustrations of a nursing mother. It also features open-ended text and questions from a child’s perspective, providing excellent talking points when preparing for a new baby.

We also love Rachel Fuller’s book called Waiting for Baby. It has lots of good prompts throughout to prepare toddlers for a new addition.

The New Baby

Price: $5.58
Author: Mercer Mayer
Highlights: what babies can and can’t do, how older siblings can help
Characters: Little Critter, mom, dad, and baby sister

A classic that’s been loved for over 20 years, this book about welcoming a new baby is perfect for toddlers. They’ll learn what babies can and can’t do, and how they can help.

There’s so much sweetness at the end when Little Critter excitedly shows his friends his new baby sister!

Why Reading Sibling Books Matters

Welcoming a new sibling is a big milestone for toddlers, and reading books about becoming a big brother or big sister can help ease the transition.

Books about new siblings are more than just stories—they give toddlers the vocabulary to express feelings, understand expectations, and navigate new family dynamics. Children can learn words like share, help, excited, and patient, while also exploring emotions such as jealousy, curiosity, and love.

Looking for more?

There are so many good books to help toddlers understand transitions and navigate new experiences! From moving, to going to the doctor, making friends, and more – we compiled all our favorites.

Check out our other post featuring our favorite books for potty training.