Best Children’s Books About New Siblings (2026): 5 Picks Compared

A new baby is coming, and the soon-to-be big sibling has questions. The best children’s books about new siblings give answers in stories: what changes, what stays the same, and why the new baby cries so much. We compared five picks by fit, contents, edition and value, all from the listings’ own details.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	I'm a Big Brother by Cole	9.7/10	Buy
2	What Brothers Do Best	9.7/10	Buy
3	Berenstain Bears: Baby Five	9.7/10	Buy
4	You're Getting a Baby Sister!	9.7/10	Buy
5	The Big Mess by Earley	9.6/10	Buy

1

I'm a Big Brother by Cole

Joanna Cole·9.7/10 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 ›

Suits a 2 to 3-year-old soon to become a big brother; skip it if you want a book about sisters, since this is the brother companion volume.

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Pros

• Reassuring story about becoming a big brother, with an author's note
• 32 pages, revised edition, from HarperCollins
• Listing says nearly 4 million families have chosen it

Cons

• Reading age of 2 to 3 years is marked as from customers
• From January 2010, so an older title
• This is the brother volume; the sister book is separate

2

What Brothers Do Best

Laura Numeroff·9.7/10 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 ›

Suits a toddler preparing for a baby's arrival with a gift book; skip it if you want a longer read, since it is a 20-page board book.

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Pros

• Board book from the author of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
• 20 pages, written for a child preparing for a baby's arrival
• 1st edition, July 2012, from Chronicle Books

Cons

• Reading age of 2 to 3 years is marked as from customers
• Short at 20 pages
• Focused on brothers, not sisters

3

Berenstain Bears: Baby Five

Stan Berenstain·9.7/10 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 ›

Suits a 3 to 6-year-old with sibling jealousy, told through the Bear family; skip it if you want a brand-new title, since this is a 2000 edition.

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Pros

• Classic Berenstain Bears story about a new baby
• 32 pages with over 50 bonus stickers
• Reading age 3 to 6 years, grade Preschool to 2

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers
• Illustrated edition from August 2000
• Sibling jealousy theme may need parent follow-up

4

You're Getting a Baby Sister!

Sheila Sweeny Higginson·9.7/10 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 ›

Suits a soon-to-be big sibling expecting a sister, in a rhyming board book; skip it if the baby is a brother, since this one is all about sisters.

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Pros

• Rhyming board book primer on receiving a new sister
• 24 pages with space at the back for writing about the baby
• Reading age 2 to 3 years, from Little Simon

Cons

• Reading age of 2 to 3 years is marked as from customers
• Short at 24 pages
• Only about sisters, not brothers

5

The Big Mess by Earley

Justin Whitmel Earley·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 ›

Suits a 3 to 6-year-old learning to get along with a sibling; skip it if you want a new-baby primer, since this is about sibling rivalry, not a new arrival.

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Pros

• 32-page rhyming picture book about siblings learning to get along
• Newest pick, published May 6, 2025
• Author of Habits of the Household, per the listing

Cons

• Reading age of 3 to 6 years is marked as from customers
• About sibling rivalry, not a new baby's arrival
• No grade level stated

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More picks to compare

• Lovevery Baby Is ComingFor real photos: 39-page board book with QR parent resources.Check on Amazon
• Now that Baby is HereFor ages 18 months to 5, real-life images, book 1 of 2.Check on Amazon
• Sam's New Sister by Olson42-page picture book on sibling rivalry, ages 3 to 6.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 theme, contents, edition, reading age and value. 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 children’s books about new siblings

Match the book to the child’s age

The picks list reading ages of 2 to 3 years and 3 to 6 years, all marked as from customers. For a toddler, the board books are the safer choice: What Brothers Do Best at 20 pages and You’re Getting a Baby Sister! at 24 pages. For a 3 to 6-year-old, the 32-page stories give more to talk about.

Brother, sister or both

I’m a Big Brother and What Brothers Do Best are written for brothers. You’re Getting a Baby Sister! is written for a new sister. The Berenstain Bears and Baby Makes Five tells it through Sister Bear, and The Big Mess is about two brothers. Pick the one that matches your family.

New baby primer or sibling feelings

Some picks prepare the child for the baby’s arrival: You’re Getting a Baby Sister! and the Lovevery board book. Others deal with the feelings after: The Big Mess is about siblings learning to get along, and Sam’s New Sister tackles jealousy. Many families want one of each. Browse more picture books for the rest of the shelf.

Before you buy

• Check the reading age on the listing; all five list it as from customers.
• Board books suit toddlers; 32-page stories suit ages 3 to 6.
• The Berenstain Bears pick is a 2000 edition; the newest is from 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which book is best for a toddler becoming a big sibling?

What Brothers Do Best and You’re Getting a Baby Sister! are board books for ages 2 to 3, per the listings.

Which book covers sibling jealousy?

The Berenstain Bears and Baby Makes Five follows Sister Bear’s jealousy, and The Big Mess covers siblings learning to get along.

Which is the newest pick?

The Big Mess, published May 6, 2025.

Still deciding? Our top pickI'm a Big Brother by Cole

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Related guides

See every picture books guide and all kids and teens books guides.

More picks: picture books and kids and teens books.