Potty training. Starting school. Making friends. Going to the doctor. New baby.

Navigating new experiences can be tough with little ones! They don’t always know what to expect, and they need help sorting through (and naming!) the emotions they’re feeling. Doing new things can be scary! But books can be a HUGE help in teaching our little ones what to expect when doing something new. From welcoming a new sibling, to going to the doctor or dentist, starting school, potty training, making friends, and handling emotions - we’ve pulled our favorite books to share! Toddlerhood involves navigating lots of new experiences, and we’re hoping these books make it a bit easier!

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Little Miss, Big Sis: Just like the title implies, Little Miss becomes a big sister! Sweet & easy to read, this book focuses on the anticipation of baby.
I’m a Big Sister: In this book, the new big sister introduces their “new baby” (gender neutral) and talks about what their little baby can and can’t do. Great for talking about differences between baby and a toddler or older child.
Daniel Tiger’s The Baby Is Here!: Daniel Tiger is getting a baby sister! He helps his mom & dad get ready for baby’s arrival. The book is based on an episode of Daniel Tiger, too.
I’m a Big Brother: Another great one for a future big brother, the new baby is gender neutral so it’s good if you’re bringing home a baby boy or girl! It helps older siblings understand baby can’t play right away, but someday baby will grow and be ready for that!
I am a Big Brother!: With cute rhymes and a gender neutral baby, this big brother is excited for his new role and how he can help! Jenna read this to John before he became a big brother and he loved it.
I’m a Big Brother: A sweet book that focuses on the excitement of bringing baby home and helps explain things babies can do and other things they can’t do yet. It also gives reassurance that big brother is special, too.
I am a Big Sister!: Simple rhymes about becoming a helpful big sister!
The New Baby: Little Critter gets a brand new baby sister! A lighthearted book about welcoming a sibling.
My New Baby: This book features simple illustrations with baby feeding and the older siblings asking questions like, “Is baby hungry?” It’s great for more open-ended conversations about baby.
What Sisters Do Best: A sweet book about sisters and the bond that is built. It focuses on what sisters can do together!
You Were the First: A sweet, sentimental book about being the first child. The first cry, the first one to sleep in the bassinet, etc. A good reminder for older siblings of how special they are, even as a new little one arrives.
Brothers Forever: This book explains the wonderful bond of brothers and what they can do together.

Leo Gets a Checkup: This book chronicles Leo’s first trip to the doctor for a checkup. He waits with his dad in the waiting room, sits still for his eyes to be checked, etc. It’s simple and allows for conversation with your little one.
Daniel Visits the Doctor: In this book, Daniel Tiger is nervous to go to the doctor. His mom talks to him about what to expect at the doctor, and this helps him relax and feel prepared.
We’re Going to the Doctor: This book is interactive with lift-the-flaps and pull tabs to keep your little one engaged as you talk about what to expect at the doctor.
Hooray, I See The Doctor Today!: Written by physicians, this book tells your little one what to expect during a routine visit to the doctor.
Going to the Doctor - A Toddler Prep Book: This book is perfect for preparing toddlers for the doctor! It uses real pictures and is realistic in expectations, while offering coping mechanisms for toddlers if they’re scared.
The Berenstain Bears Go to the Doctor: The Berenstain Bears go to the doctor together! A great book for talking about feelings leading up to a doctor’s visit and what to expect.
Nicky Goes to the Doctor: Another great book that follows Nicky the Bunny as he goes to the doctor. This one comes with stickers, too!
Biscuit Goes to the Doctor: Biscuit takes a trip to his doctor (the vet!) and goes through a routine check. Great for a little one who loves animals so they can see even pets go to the doctor!
Maisy Goes to the Eye Doctor: Eye doctors are doctors, too! This is a great book to read if your little one needs to get their eyes checked.
My Doctor’s Visit: This is a great book that details the what and the why behind doctor’s visits. It has pages about what body parts the doctor will check, and the tools the doctor will use.

Going to the Dentist - A Toddler Prep Book: This book features real-life photos of the dentist’s office and the tools used. It has simple language and walks through the process of a teeth cleaning.
Pout-Pout Fish Goes to the Dentist: Mr. Fish keeps putting off his dental visit, but his friends remind him of the importance of dental visits!
We’re Going to the Dentist: Interactive pages where your little one can lift the flaps and learn more about going to the dentist!
Daniel Goes to the Dentist: Daniel learns the dentist is a doctor for your teeth! Daniel and his mom talk about doing something new (going to the dentist) and Mom sings a fun song about brushing!
Just Going to the Dentist: Little Critter goes to the dentist. As he waits in the waiting room, he sees all sorts of people and the work they get done at the dentist, too!
Dentist Trip: Join Peppa Pig and George as they brush their teeth and get ready to visit the dentist!
How to Brush Your Teeth with Snappy Croc: Such a great book for little ones to get comfortable with brushing teeth and going to the dentist. In toddlerhood, brushing can be really hard, so this book can help them get more comfortable with brushing! We read this one a lot before a dentist visit!
Time to Brush: I love this reusable sticker book (just wet the pieces if they stop sticking and let them dry- they will stick great again!) And I love that it talks about a routine that littles might not love, so it can help teeth brushing go much better!
If the Dentist Were an Animal: Fun rhymes talking about what type of animal a dentist would be - a friendly warm-up to talking about the dentist. Near the end your little one will learn, “a dentist is a person, just like you and me.”
The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist: Mom, Dad, and Sister Bear visit the dentist to get their teeth checked for cavities. Sister Bear even has a loose tooth! This book comes with stickers!

Llama Llama Back to School: We love Llama Llama books over here! Llama Llama prepares for school - picks his lunch box, finds his cubby, etc. A great introduction to what going to school can look like!
Llama Llama Misses Mama: This book talks about Llama Llama going to school for the first time. He’s nervous and misses Mama, but starts to have fun. He is glad when he realizes his Mama will always come back to pick him up!
Daniel Goes to School: Alicia’s boys love these books, and they have great teachings! Daniel is scared when he realizes his dad won’t be staying with him at school, but then the book explains grown-ups always come back!
Bye-Bye Time: This book uses simple language to explain drop-off (bye bye time). It’s not forever, and “hello again” will be coming soon. Great for preparing your little and helping them cope.
Rosie Goes to Preschool: A sweet book with fun and colorful illustrations. Rosie talks you through your first day at preschool!
Pete the Kitty’s First Day of Preschool: This one talks about all the fun things you do at preschool, and gets kiddos excited for all the activities they will do!
Spot Loves School: Join Spot on his first day of school in this simple book!
The Night Before Preschool: A book that follows the meter of “The Night Before Christmas” - talks all about getting ready for school!
Time for School, Mouse!: We love books with Mouse! Read as Mouse searches to find all he needs to go to school!
Going to School - Toddler Prep Book: A Montessori-style book with real pictures that takes your child through what school will be like.
Time for School, Little Blue Truck: These are fun books for any transportation lover! Little Blue Truck and his friend Toad meet a bright yellow school bus on the road.
Preschool, Here I Come!: From drop-off, to how the classroom looks, and more, this book talks about all preschool has to offer!

A Potty for Me!: Colorful illustrations and lift the flaps to start talking about using the potty.
Diapers Are Not Forever: When it’s time to say goodbye to diapers, this book is encouraging and focuses on patience. It has tips for parents in the back of the book, too!
Let’s Go to the Potty!: A good book to prep your little one for potty training. It also has a potty song to sing together, along with things they can expect during potty training.
Peek-a-Flap Potty: A colorful and interactive book about using the potty and washing hands!
Everybody Potties: This book focuses on celebrating potty wins and reminds little ones that everyone goes to the potty.
Potty: A simple book with one sentence per page about trying to use the potty!
Daniel Tiger’s Potty Time: Alicia’s boys have this and the potty song is so catchy. It helps little ones remember to flush and wash hands after using the potty!
Even Firefighters Go To The Potty: With fun lift the flaps on every page, your little one learns everyone goes to the potty! Even firefighters, and doctors, zoo keepers and more.
Potty Time with Pete the Kitty: This book has lots of lift-the-flap features. Pete makes potty training groovy and gives step-by-step instructions for the potty process!
Peek-a-Poo!: An encouraging book with rhyming fun about getting used to the potty.
Toot: All about toots - everybody does it! This book talks about how toots are a sign we have to poop and how everybody toots and poops!
Potty Patrol: The Paw Patrol pals help Carlos and Claudia say goodbye to diapers and help them get the the potty as soon as they need to go!

I Heard That You’re Moving: This book explains all the new and exciting things you will be able to do in your new city/home - and reassures your little one that new friends will be there, too!
Daniel Tiger’s Moving to the Neighborhood: Daniel becomes friends with a new friend that moved next door. This is a good book to read and talk through if you’re moving, or if you want your little one to learn how to be a kind, welcoming neighbor!
Moving House: The Sparks Family is moving and this goes through every step of the moving process - from looking for their new home, selling the old home, packing and more.
Big Ernie’s New Home: This book is great as it talks through different feelings about moving like worry, sadness, even anger. It ends with a positive note of encouragement!
Spot’s Road Trip: Spot and his family take a road trip to the beach! On the ride, they take pit stops, stop for gas, and switch drivers.
Daniel’s First Airplane Ride: This is a great book to read before a flight. It discusses going through security, why it’s important to stay close with your parents, and includes songs to ease nerves.
Big, Busy Airport: Alicia’s boys love this book! Realistic pictures and sounds help explain what it’s like to go to the airport and fly somewhere new.
Time for a Trip: Join Little Bunny as he prepares to go on a trip! He packs his bags and wonders what form of transportation he will take.
Wherever You Go: With thousands of 5-star reviews, this book talks through all the places a road may take you.
The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day: The Berenstain Family loves their house, but Papa decides it’s time to move to a new place. Follow along as they go!
The Night Before Moving Day: This one follows the rhyming and meter of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and talks all about the process of prepping to move. Yard sales, packing boxes, and going away parties are all mentioned.
Let’s Get Ready to Move!: Follow June as her family sells their home and moves to a new one. It’s easy to understand and highlights the excitement of moving.

Little Blue Truck Makes a Friend: Someone new moved to town and Little Blue Truck and friends are excited to meet them!
Llama Llama Time to Share: A great lesson about sharing with a friend!
The Rainbow Fish: A true classic! Rainbow Fish won’t share his scales, but when he gives one away, he sees the happiness his sharing brings to others.
Let’s Be Friends: A bright and colorful book about the beauty of friendship and how our differences make us special.
The Kindness Book: A bright book about what kindness looks like in the real world.
Daniel’s New Friend: Daniel meets a new friend who looks different than him. These books always have great messaging in them and offer great talking points to parents as they read with littles.
Find Out About Making Friends: This book is geared toward preschoolers and engages children with lift-the-flaps and familiar scenarios.
We’re Different, We’re The Same: The 10k+ 5-star reviews speak for themselves! Elmo and his Sesame Street friends teach about our similarities and differences, reminding children that our differences make us special!
Friendship Is Forever: A sweet book about the gift of friendship and importance of helping others, thoughtfulness, and being kind.
This is How We Make Friends: Another book geared toward children going to preschool that has examples of play scenarios. A great book for talking about what your child can say or do to make friends at school!
The Kids’ Book of Friends: This books talks about how great it is to have friends, how to make friends, where to find friends, and more!
The Little Book of Friendship: Another great book about making friends for preschoolers with emphasizing values and kindness.

The Color Monster: Color Monster feels out of sorts and confused. A little girl helps him sort through his feelings. This is a great book to read to start conversations about emotions.
The Pout-Pout Fish and the Worry-Worry Whale: Willa Whale is worried about going to a party and she asks many “what if…” questions. Mr. Fish helps her sort through it all!
Little Monkey Calms Down: With thousands of 5-star reviews, this book tells the story of Little Monkey using coping skills after he has a meltdown.
My First Emotions: In this book, there are colors that represent different feelings and emotions - love, confidence, worry, sadness, peaceful, anger & happiness. Each page talks about one feeling and gives little ones time to reflect on when they’ve felt that way.
My First Book of Emotions for Toddlers: This book focuses on 6 emotions - fear, anger, joy, sadness, disgust, and surprise - and how they can make you feel.
It’s Okay to Make Mistakes: The title says it all! The book even points out the good things that can come from making a mistake.
What To Do When You Feel Like Hitting: This book is exactly what it sounds like! It provides alternatives to hitting and helpful coping skills young children can understand.
Calm-Down Time: A colorful book with simple, age appropriate language to describe coping skills.
The Crayons’ Book of Feelings: Read about the different feelings the crayons feel and try to imitate their expressions.
The Way I Feel: Another book I really like as it gives emotions and examples of what you might do when expressing those emotions. For example: anger = shouting, stomping, frowning.
The Color Monster: This one has awesome pop-up illustrations and talks about emotions and how they feel.
School of Monsters - Jack’s Many Moods: Jack sometimes get’s angry or upset and her friends have a hard time talking to her when she does. This book talks about how to handle big emotions like anger or sadness!