The Best Books to Prepare Your Child for a New Sibling (2026)
By Pali Bermúdez | Bunny Tails Stories
When I found out our family was growing again, my first thought wasn’t about the nursery. It was about my daughter.
How would she feel? What would she understand? And most importantly — how could I help her know that her place in our family wasn’t shrinking. It was growing.
I searched for books that could start that conversation. Books that spoke to the feelings of becoming a big sibling — not just the facts. And honestly? I found a gap. So I wrote one.
Here are the books I recommend for families preparing for a new baby, including the one I wrote because it didn’t exist yet.
Why Books Help
Children process change through stories. When a toddler sees a character who feels confused, jealous, excited, or proud about a new sibling — they learn that their own feelings are normal.
Picture books offer something a conversation alone can’t: a safe distance. Your child isn’t the one with big feelings — Mila the bunny is. And somehow, that makes it easier to talk about.
The Books I Recommend
1. Bunny Tails: Mila’s Big Wish — Pali Bermúdez (Yes, this is my book — and yes, I’m biased. But here’s why I wrote it.)
Mila is a little bunny whose biggest wish is to become a big sister. When her dream comes true, she discovers that change can feel overwhelming — but the heart always finds room to grow.
What makes it different: – Built-in conversation prompts at the end (not just a story — a tool) – Available in English AND Spanish (Aventuras de Algodón) – Focused on social-emotional learning, not just the “new baby” event – A family activity that connects the story to your child’s real life
Available at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Your local bookstore
2. The New Small Person — Lauren Child A funny, honest look at what happens when a “new small person” arrives. Great for kids who need to laugh about the disruption.
3. I’m a Big Sister / I’m a Big Brother — Joanna Cole A classic for a reason. Simple, direct, reassuring.
4. Babies Don’t Eat Pizza — Dianne Danzig A humorous, practical book that helps kids understand what babies actually do (and don’t do).
5. Waiting for Baby — Harriet Ziefert For very young toddlers — simple words, beautiful illustrations, gentle preparation.
When to Start Reading
Start about 2–3 months before the baby arrives. Read the book multiple times — children process through repetition. After the baby arrives, read it again. The meaning deepens.
How to Use These Books
- Read without pressure. Don’t turn it into a “lesson.”
- Let your child ask questions. Follow their lead.
- If your child says “I don’t want a baby,” that’s okay. Name the feeling: “It sounds like you’re feeling unsure.”
- Use the conversation prompts in Mila’s Big Wish as a starting point.
The One Thing I Wish I’d Known
Your child’s feelings about a new sibling won’t be linear. They’ll be excited one day and upset the next. That’s not backsliding — that’s processing. Keep reading. Keep talking. Keep showing up.
And remember: love doesn’t divide when a family grows. It multiplies.
Pali Bermúdez is the author of Bunny Tails: Mila’s Big Wish, a bilingual picture book about family, change, and growing love. She writes from San Jose, California, where she’s raising her own bilingual, multicultural family.