New Sibling: Books For Kids

Wolfie the Bunny - Lemony Snickers - Wolfie the Bunny is a clever take on the emotions and stress children can face dealing with new additions to their own family. Dot, an only bunny-child in a family of bunnies is suspicious of the new wolf baby her parents have so enthusiastically welcomed to the family. Dot recognizes the wolf in bunny’s clothing—quite literally, in a hilarious nod to the figurative wolf in sheep’s clothing, a growing Wolfie is dressed up in a pink bunny outfit to go outside—and warns that the wolf will eat them all. As it turns out, Wolfie isn’t a threat to the family. Rather, Wolfie protects Dot. It isn’t until Wolfie is, in turn, threatened that Dot steps in to protect Wolfie. The book fabulously captures the bias so many of us display—we might say what we want about our family, but as soon as an outsider says something negative about our family, we immediately bristle and rise to their defense. In this case, that same response helps Dot to overcome her concern about welcoming a new family member.

Maple - Lori Nichols’ enchanting debut features an irresistible, free-spirited, nature-loving little girl who greets the changing seasons and a new sibling with arms wide open. When Maple is tiny, her parents plant a maple tree in her honor. She and her tree grow up together, and even though a tree doesn’t always make an ideal playmate, it doesn’t mind when Maple is in the mood to be loud—which is often. Then Maple becomes a big sister, and finds that babies have their loud days, too. Fortunately, Maple and her beloved tree know just what the baby needs.

Once Upon a Baby Brother - When he goes away on a trip, Lizzie, who loves to tell and write stories, is surprised to discover that much of her storytelling inspiration comes from her messy baby brother Marvin.

Ninja Baby - B is for Bookworm - This is sure to be a hit with all the ninja skills in this story! This is a great book about adjusting to a new sibling and talks through some of the feelings an older sibling might have, and ends on a great note of sibling love. My one concern is that this book could prompt some unwanted ninja behavior in kids reading it, as the older sibling can be a little destructive to things around her with her talents.

Big Sisters Are the Best - The story follows a young girl as she helps to care for the new baby in her family.

Little Frog's Tadpole Trouble - Little Frog lives with his mommy and daddy. It’s just the three of them, and Little Frog likes it that way. But one day, his parents tell him he is going to be a big brother—to NINE tadpoles! Little Frog is not impressed with his baby siblings. They can’t jump. They can’t play drums. They can’t do anything! All they do is keep Mommy and Daddy busy—too busy for Little Frog. But with a little time, big brother realizes that tadpoles grow into little frogs, just like him. And having nine new playmates makes his family better than ever.

Olive Marshmallow - A sweet, humorous picture book for all new brothers and sisters who are anticipating the arrival of a new sibling. When Archie notices his Mommy’s tummy growing, he knows something strange is happening. Not only that: Mommy’s office is suddenly completely pink! Mommy shows Archie a picture of his sister growing in her tummy, but Archie things it looks like an alien. Archie isn’t sure that he wants a baby sister. He likes cars and trains and playing cowboys. He knows for sure that he doesn’t like fluffy, frilly, and very pink things! But soon, a fluffy, frilly, and very pink bundle arrives at home. It’s his new baby sister, Olive! Big brother Archie thinks she looks like a marshmallow, and he wonders if life will ever be the same again.

The New Baby - The new baby takes some getting used to, but she’s worth it.

Lulu Is Getting A Sister - Lulu is getting the sister she never asked for in this oh-so-funny illustrated chapter book filled with hilarious hijinks and fiesty twists from Judith Viorst. Lulu has received the worst. News. EVER. She’s getting…a baby sister. No one ever asked HER opinion on this debacle. But she’ll tell you anyway, because she no how, no way, no thank you wants a sibling. Undeterred, and to prepare Lulu for big sisterhood, her parents bribe—AHEM, ask—Lulu to attend Camp Sisterhood, a.k.a. big sister training camp. As a Sister-in-Training (SIT), Lulu is assigned a variety of temporary little “siblings” who are supposed to be so much fun Lulu will become excited to have a permanent sibling of her own. Well, no one ever said Camp Sisterhood was supposed to teach Lulu how to be a good big sister, so Lulu resolves to be a bad big sister. She insults her little siblings. She taunts them with secrets. She even tricks one of them into carrying both of their backpacks up a mountain! Then some BITs (brothers-in-training) from the neighboring Camp Brotherhood start picking on Lulu’s siblings, and Lulu responds by doing her red-faced, steam-coming-out-of-her-ears thing and showing those BITs who’s boss! After all, Lulu’s siblings may be duds, but they’re her duds, and sisters have to stick together.

My Brother the Duck - A new sibling book with humor, heart, and a dash of the scientific process sure to delight young readers. Is Stella’s new baby brother a duck? All the evidence seems to be pointing in that direction, but Stella knows that scientists can’t just wing it. Further research is definitely required. This sweet and silly book is just ducky for new siblings, fledgling scientists and anyone who loves a good laugh. • Read-aloud books for children and siblings • New baby gift for siblings • Pat Zietlow Miller has published numerous children’s books, including the critically acclaimed Be Kind. Picture-book-reading new siblings who enjoyed The New Small Person, Little Miss Big Sis, and Julius Baby of the World will love the sweet and silly humor of My Brother the Duck.

Green on Green - Discover the joys of nature, seasons, family—and the vibrant colors of them all—in this lyrical picture book from the author of the acclaimed Blue on Blue. A child is on a colorful journey through the seasons, filled with yellow flowers and blue coral in spring and summer and orange pumpkins and green pine forests in fall and winter. All the while, there is another colorful change on the horizon—the birth of a new sibling. With gentle, rhyming text and vivid artwork, this book is a heartfelt celebration of family, nature, seasons, colors, and the wonder and magic of them all.

Cuddle Monkey - A little monkey looks for the perfect cuddle while his parents are busy with his new baby brother in this insanely adorable picture book about learning to be an older sibling. Lewis loves to cuddle. But ever since his baby brother Owen was born, cuddle time with his mom and dad has been in short supply. Lewis, however, remains undaunted! He wants his cuddles! So: He cuddles his favorite book. He cuddles his stuffed animals, Hedwig, Lamby, and Monster Dude. He even cuddles a puddle, just because it rhymes! But cuddling the bus driver turns out to be a little dangerous. Cuddling at dinner is too messy. And cuddling Owen is wiggly and squiggly. Then Lewis finds that a cuddle doesn’t have to be perfect for it to be just the cuddle you need.

There's Going to Be a Baby - A young boy imagines what life will be like when his new sibling arrives.

Ruby's Baby Brother - When her mother brings new baby Leo home, Ruby feels left out until she realizes that she has the important job of being a big sister.