Becoming a big sister is a pretty huge deal. It can be overwhelming and confusing, for the most part. Parents, you have to understand this. Your little girl probably can’t even control her urge to paint on the walls, so you cannot expect her to welcome a new little baby into the family with open arms.
It is totally normal if the new big sister shows jealousy towards the baby and throws tantrums when she feels like she is not getting the attention she deserves.
However, you can minimize the jealousy and acting out by easing your child into the role of a big sister and preparing her for this big life change. One of the best ways to prepare your child to become a good big sister to the new baby is to read her a lot of high-quality books about becoming a big sister.
Unfortunately, many typical big sister books highlight only the negative parts about having a new baby in the family. If you read those books to your child, you’ll only serve to stress her out before the baby even arrives.
This is why, when you’re on the lookout for big sister books for your daughter, it’s important to pick books that maintain the right balance. Yes, books about becoming a big sister should show the challenges that come with the change, but they should also show the sweet and fun aspects of stepping into the role of an older sister.
The best books about becoming a big sister take it even one step further. They show the challenges of welcoming a new baby into the family, then show the older sister feeling empowered to work through those challenges and make up efficient solutions.
Below are four of the best big sister books I recommend.
Maple by Lori Nichols
- Audible Audiobook
- Lori Nichols (Author) – Stina Nielsen (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 03/10/2015 (Publication Date) – Recorded Books (Publisher)
This debut book tells the story of Maple, a free-spirited, irresistible, nature-loving little girl, who was named after the sapling of a maple tree her parents planted just before she was born.
Maple and her special tree grow up together and Maple plays with the tree every day, giving it big hugs and watching its leaves sway in the wind. The tree proves to be a great friend to Maple, even at the time when it didn’t make an ideal playmate. The tree doesn’t mind when Maple wants to be loud and noisy.
One day, a willow sapling appeared next to the tree and soon, Maple had a baby sister named Willow. At the arrival of her sister, Maple realizes that babies can be loud too, just like her. Although Maple didn’t always know how to make her little sister, Willow, happy, she loves her very much. Maple decides to take Willow outside so that they can both enjoy the company of Maple’s tree.
Not only does Maple teach girls about becoming big sisters, it also teaches about friendship in people and in other objects. It shows that objects can hold meaning to people which can be translated as a friendship.
Lola Reads to Leo by Anna McQuinn and Rosalind Beardshaw
- Audible Audiobook
- Anna McQuinn (Author) – Channie Waites (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 06/22/2021 (Publication Date) – Recorded Books, Inc. (Publisher)
While many new baby books explore the jealousy of an older sibling towards the attention-stealing infant, Lola Reads to Leo takes a fresh approach that deliberately explores the acceptance of a new baby by an older sister.
This book tells the story of bibliophile, Lola, who enthusiastically and joyfully adjusts to her new role as big sister to her little brother, Leo. She engages with Leo through her favorite thing in the world–books!
She makes it a habit to read a theme-fitting book to Leo during the activities he engages in. For instance, she reads a potty book to Leo during diaper changes; a duck story during baths; a sleepy story at naptime.
Although they are busy adjusting to the life of parenting two children instead of one, Lola’s parents gift her a story at the end of each day because she has been the best big sister to Leo.
Little Miss, Big Sis by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Peter H. Reynolds
- Hardcover Book
- Rosenthal, Amy Krouse (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 40 Pages – 06/16/2015 (Publication Date) – HarperCollins (Publisher)
This is another book that shows the new big sister embracing the new baby enthusiastically.
From the second she is told that there will be a new baby soon, Little Miss is impatient and thrilled. In the days that follow the baby’s birth, all the baby did was eat, fuss and sleep.
Luckily, the big sister bravely takes on the responsibility of keeping the baby happy with stuff: songs, lap games, puppets. You name it, she’s got it.
While Little Miss is happy with her new sibling, things are not always rosy. Little Miss, Big Sis also highlights the downsides of new babies: drooling, hair pulling and toy steaming, amongst other things. However, in the end, it is obvious that the positives far outweigh the negatives.
In this book, jealousy is a foreign concept and big sisters everywhere will take note of this.
Penny and Her Song by Kevin Henkes
- Audible Audiobook
- Kevin Henkes (Author) – Cynthia Nixon (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 02/28/2012 (Publication Date) – HarperAudio (Publisher)
This book tells the story of Penny, a curious and lovable mouse, who wants to sing the song she composed when she comes home from school. However, Papa and Mama are a little reluctant to hear Penny’s song because they are afraid it might wake up the sleeping babies.
But Penny desperately wants to sing her joyful song, so she sings it to herself in the mirror and to her toy animals, but that does not satisfy her. She wants the attention of her parents; the same attention that they are giving to the babies.
Finally, Penny decides to sing her song after dinner. This appears to be a good time as Penny’s parents put on costumes and sing the song with her repeatedly. The excitement makes everyone tired and helps the babies sleep in their basket.
But Penny could not easily fall asleep as she worried that she would forget her song by morning. However, when she wakes up, Penny sees that she still remembers her special song. Throughout Penny and Her Song, Penny finds innovative ways to divert her parent’s attention from the babies.
Conclusion
It is not uncommon for little girls 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 new sibling in simple concepts to prepare your daughter for sisterhood.
The books recommended above can help your older daughter understand how the family is changing and growing, and give her some ideas on all the things that she should expect to reduce sibling jealousy once the baby arrives.
If your older child is a boy and you need a guide to help him be a great big brother, here are some books on becoming a big brother.
