Best Books for Toddlers about New Baby (2026): 5 Compared

A new baby on the way brings big feelings for a toddler, and the best books for toddlers about new baby give those feelings words before the baby arrives. We compared five books by listed reading age, grade level, print length and format, so you can pick the one that fits your child.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Big Brother Daniel by Santomero	9.6/10	Buy
2	Waiting for Baby by Fuller	9.6/10	Buy
3	You Were the First: MacLachlan	9.6/10	Buy
4	New Baby by Berenstain	9.6/10	Buy
5	Baby Brother by Higginson	9.6/10	Buy

1

Big Brother Daniel by Santomero

Angela C. Santomero·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Daniel Tiger learns to be a good big brother to Baby Margaret in this shaped board book.

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Pros

• Reading age 2 to 3 years and grade level Preschool to Kindergarten are both stated
• Shaped board book format suits little hands
• Based on a Daniel Tiger episode toddlers may already know

Cons

• The reading age is marked as from customers rather than stated by the publisher
• A Daniel Tiger fan will love it; others may prefer a non-character book
• Only about a baby sister, not a baby brother

2

Waiting for Baby by Fuller

Rachel Fuller·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A board book that walks toddlers through the wait for a new sibling, from getting clothes ready to preparing a place for the baby to sleep.

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Pros

• Reading age 1 to 3 years stated, the youngest range here
• Board book format stated as sturdy for little hands
• Part of a four-book series about welcoming a new sibling

Cons

• The reading age is marked as from customers rather than stated by the publisher
• No grade level is stated
• At 12 pages it is the shortest book here

3

You Were the First: MacLachlan

Patricia MacLachlan·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A lyrical story that reassures a firstborn that they were the first to do everything, even as a new sibling arrives.

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Pros

• 40 pages, the longest book here
• Reading age 2 to 4 years and grade level Preschool to 3 are both stated
• The description addresses firstborn insecurities head-on

Cons

• The reading age is marked as from customers rather than stated by the publisher
• The lyrical tone may suit parents more than toddlers
• Grade level Preschool to 3 is a wide band

4

New Baby by Berenstain

Stan Berenstain·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Brother Bear welcomes Sister into the family in this classic Berenstain Bears story.

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Pros

• A classic story from 1974 that generations of siblings have read
• Reading age 2 to 4 years and grade level Preschool to 2 are both stated
• 32 pages of story for a familiar read-aloud

Cons

• The reading age is marked as from customers rather than stated by the publisher
• The 1974 first edition may show its age in art style
• Only about a new sister, not a new brother

5

Baby Brother by Higginson

Sheila Sweeny Higginson·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A rhyming board book primer that tells older siblings what to expect when a baby brother arrives.

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Pros

• Rhyming board book format for read-aloud
• Includes space at the back for siblings to write about the new brother
• Reading age 2 to 3 years stated

Cons

• The reading age is marked as from customers rather than stated by the publisher
• Grade level is listed only as Preschool with no upper bound
• Only about a baby brother; the sister version is in the more-picks list

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More picks to compare

• The Baby Is Here by SantomeroFor Daniel Tiger fans, ages 2 to 3, 24 pages.Check on Amazon
• Baby Sister by HigginsonThe sister companion to the baby brother pick.Check on Amazon
• Good Night New Baby by GambleFor babies to age 3, a 20-page board book.Check on Amazon
• Baby Belly by MartinFor ages 1 to 2, about the pregnancy wait.Check on Amazon
• How to Be a Big Brother by CarterFor toddlers 2 to 5 becoming big brothers.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 17 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. All five listings give a reading age, marked by Amazon as from customers, and four give a grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best books for toddlers about new baby

Board book or picture book

Three picks are board books, built for chewing and throwing; the other two are 32 and 40 page picture books for lap reading. For a child under 2, the board book format matters more than the story. See our board books for toddlers for more sturdy choices.

Before or after the baby arrives

Waiting for Baby is about the wait itself, while the others meet the baby after arrival. Start the before book a month or two ahead, then move to a big-sibling story once the baby is home. Our books for toddlers about new sibling list has more, and the picture books shelf covers every age.

Before you buy

• Check the format: three of these are board books and two are longer picture books.
• Match the sibling in the story to your family: some are about a new sister, some a new brother.
• Reading ages run from 1 to 3 years up to 2 to 4 years; pick the band your child is in.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best age to read a new baby book to a toddler?

These listings give reading ages from 1 to 3 years up to 2 to 4 years, all marked as from customers. Start reading a few weeks before the baby arrives.

Are these board books or picture books?

Waiting for Baby, Big Brother Daniel and You’re Getting a Baby Brother are board books; You Were the First and the Berenstain Bears book are 40 and 32 page picture books.

Which book is about waiting for the baby?

Waiting for Baby, a 12-page board book for ages 1 to 3. It is part of a four-book series about welcoming a new sibling.

Still deciding? Our top pickBig Brother Daniel by Santomero

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Related lists

See every kids and teens list.

More lists: browse board books for toddlers, books about a new sibling and books for toddlers.