When your son learns that he’s going to be a big brother, there are lots of feelings that he’s bound to feel. Welcoming a new sibling can be challenging and confusing, and can make a young boy more anxious than one can imagine.
Soon-to-be big brothers go through many stages of grief before they fully accept the new baby. They might be in denial that they won’t have their own bedroom for much longer. They might promise their mother that they’ll eat all their vegetables only if she’d leave the baby at the hospital.
But instead of letting new big brothers think that they’ll be sharing their parents with their new siblings, it’s better to explain the changing scenario to help the child handle siblinghood better. One of the most effective ways to do this is to read them books to make them more comfortable. And don’t forget to sprinkle kisses, hugs and reassurance on him as you read.
In this article, I’ll be sharing some wonderful books that you can read with your son to help him transition seamlessly to a new big bro.
Let’s dive in!
I’m a Big Brother by Joanna Cole
- Hardcover Book
- Cole, Joanna (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages – 01/05/2010 (Publication Date) – HarperCollins (Publisher)
In this book, Joanna describes the mindset of a first-time older brother as he takes on the role of mum and dad’s little assistant with the new baby. Told through the point of view of a new older brother, this story explores all the positive things about being an older brother, and how exciting it can be to welcome a new member to the family.
With a little author’s note about what big brothers need–love, reassurance, guidance–and beautiful artwork by Rosalinda Knightley, it is not surprising that more than 1 million families worldwide have purchased this book to prepare their young sons for their first big responsibility.
One of the best-selling books about being an elder brother, I’m a Big Brother is a great book for helping a new older brother feel more empowered about his new role.
Ready, Set… Baby! by Elizabeth Rusch
- Hardcover Book
- Rusch, Elizabeth (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages – 02/07/2017 (Publication Date) – Clarion Books (Publisher)
In this fun and humorous book, Rusch shares a great deal of real information about what happens after the arrival of a new baby in the family. It gives older brothers an idea of what to expect with a new baby in the family.
Told through the eyes of two siblings, Anna and Oliver, this book provides a practical guide to everything a new big brother will need to know about his little sibling. Everything from a baby’s appearance (red, foldy skin), its limited movements, umbilical cords and facial expressions are discussed.
The kids’ narration works well as a practical blueprint for kids who are curious about how being a big brother will change their lives. Ready, Set… Baby! Also contains tips for parents on how to caer to the needs of children who feel jealous of the new baby.
This book is one of the best books about becoming a big brother for toddlers as it shares info about a new baby and gives actionable tips on how to adjust to that lifestyle.
No Room for Baby! by Emile Jadoul
- Hardcover Book
- Jadoul, Émile (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 28 Pages – 10/03/2017 (Publication Date) – Kids Can Press (Publisher)
This book tells the story of a family of anthropomorphic penguins who, despite being in Antarctica, live in a spacious cartoon-like igloo furnished with chairs, beds and windows with curtains.
The big brother penguin, Leon, is struggling to find enough room to accommodate his new baby brother, Marcel. A crib was built for Marcel but the mother penguin told Leon that Marcel cannot stay in the crib always.
Leon tries to tell his mother that there is no room for Marcel in his bedroom, on their father’s shoulders or on the mother’s laps. But when Marcel starts to cry, Leon suddenly realizes that there is room enough for Marcel in his own arms, and he nestles Marcel close in an overflow of brotherly affection.
While this happy ending might seem abrupt, it is matched by the beautiful esthetic of simple illustrations made with black pencil crayons and oils. No Room for Baby is a sweet read for toddlers that describes the worries of a new big brother.
Behold! A Baby by Stephanie Watson
- Hardcover Book
- Watson, Stephanie (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages – 06/02/2015 (Publication Date) – Bloomsbury USA Childrens (Publisher)
While the wonderstruck emcee father speaks excitedly about his new baby’s amazing talents–smiling, chattering, and eating a banana–in front of a live audience, his older son in the audience is not impressed.
In an effort to steal the spotlight from the baby, he shows off his own talents–he eats two bananas at once and sings a song. However, the audience is not impressed with him, as they are when his father spoke about the baby. When the baby says gibberish, the audience and Dad do not understand what the baby means until big brother translates it from ‘baby talk’ to ‘adult talk’, which amazes the audience.
Then big brother realizes that his little sibling isn’t the attention-stealing bore he thought he was. He begins to formulate a plan to perform his own show, Brothers, on stage with his little brother.
Behold! A Baby is a beautiful take on how adults get pleased about everything a baby does, and how big brothers are difficult to impress. It also explores the things that can convince a big brother to see how wonderfully amazing little babies are.
Conclusion
It is common for toddlers to show fear or act out with the arrival of a new baby, especially if they are unprepared for it. It can be helpful to introduce the idea of a younger sibling in simple concepts to prepare your child for siblinghood.
The books recommended above can help you older son understand how the family is changing and growing, and give him some idea on all the things that he should expect to reduce sibling jealousy once the baby arrives.
