There is a lot going on when you are getting ready to add a new member to your family. The more people you have, the more complicated the dynamics can be. During the times our family was growing by a person, reading books about new babies was a simple way to initiate conversation and begin the learning process for our “big” kid(s). Here are three of our favorites, with a few thoughts on each. Even though we don’t have a new baby on the way, these are all books our kids still enjoy. From our library to yours – happy reading!
-The New Small Person by Lauren Child. The storyline in this quirky and fun book follows the relationship between brothers from a rocky start to a sweet ending. The illustrations are interesting and attention holding with a vintage vibe. Pro Tip: there is an orange jelly bean on each page that could be used as a find-it game for an added layer of fun. We’ve read this one so many times, I think I could recite it from memory!
-The New Baby by Mercer Mayer. This one is a great conversation starter for how new babies need a lot but can’t really do a lot in return. When a new baby is added to the family, Little Critter quickly realizes that his usual go-to play ideas aren’t working. This book is helpful in pointing out all the things siblings can do with their new baby siblings such as sharing a toy or making a silly face rather than focusing on all the things babies can’t do.
-Daniel Tiger at the Park: It won’t matter if you are familiar with the show, this one is especially great for kids that are a little older and know enough about babies to know that they’re not always that great. The refrain from Mom Tiger says, “When a baby makes things different, find a way to make things fun” is actually a reminder to all of us that a baby is a new person and changes the dynamic for all of us. Different doesn’t have to mean bad, although it might mean challenging – at least until everyone settles into a new rhythm.
Although not explicitly stated, the artwork in these stories depicts new babies who resemble the families they are born into. I want to acknowledge that these books may not check the box for every family and would love to hear about books that introduce siblings with special needs, growing families through adoption and foster care, and other types of family situations not covered here.
