These books were on high rotation in our house as we prepared The Little Ladybird for becoming a big sister.
Here are our 13 favourite picture books about new babies.
This board book contains high-contrast black and white illustrations designed specifically to appeal to babies.
My almost 2-year-old received this book as a newborn gift but still loves flipping through it’s pages.
It’s a simple book for the very young that can lead to conversations about the moods of babies and the activities that babies might like.
Click here for a sneak peek inside.
A lift-the-flap book that younger children will love interacting with.
Each spread reveals the different things that babies do and enjoy.
A simple, straightforward book that will help little ones know what to expect when bub arrives.
This classic has such a beautiful rhythm to it.
It celebrates the joy of babyhood and the diversity of babies the world over.
Suited for the 0-3 age group, it’ll make you all clucky for those pudgy little baby thighs and precious little toes and fingers.
In true Libby-Hathorn-style, this gorgeous rhyming book captures the simple joys of spending time together as a family and getting to know the newest addition to the family.
Tamsin Ainslie’s glorious illustrations allow us to follow a family of bears spending an afternoon together in their garden.
Sister Bear and Baby Bear play. Mummy Bear and Daddy Bear come in and out with snacks, fresh clothes, to wipe away tears…. sound familiar?!
Whilst they all revel in the joy of their new Baby Bear, they don’t notice their cheeky dog and cat stealing all the toys.
A book filled with warm and fuzzies that can lead to conversations about family life and how routines may change when the new bundle arrives.
This board book is a part of the Princess Polly and Pirate Pete collection from Ladybird that helps reassure children as they reach different milestones.
It is bright and cheerful and introduces some of the changes that might happen when the new baby comes home.
There is a sound button that children can press to make the baby giggle which my Little Ladybird loved playing with.
The rhyming text in this book, told from the perspective of the child protagonist, perfectly captures the anticipation and impatience involved in waiting for a new baby.
It has a gentle humour that children really appreciate. I read this book to my Kindergarten class when I was pregnant with The Little Ladybird and we had the most darling discussion about it afterwards. The students wanted to share their knowledge of all things babies and pregnant ladies!
A soon-to-be big brother questions what life will be like once his sibling arrives. His mother patiently answers his questions and he imagines what the baby will be like.
Gentle and humourous text coupled with Helen Oxenbury’s trademark, emotive illustrations makes this a winner for 5-8 year olds.
Bob Graham is the King.
A brother and sister await the arrival of a new sibling. The book starts with the last days of Mum’s pregnancy until we finally meet Baby Walter.
His brother and sister share their humorous observations along the way.
It seems as though Mum has no more time for Za-Za now that her baby brother has arrived.
The baby gets all the attention and Za-Za has to adjust to having him in her life.
With Lucy Cousin’s signature bold illustrations, this book is all about reassuring little ones that mummy will still love them once the baby comes. As Za-Za finds out by the end of the story, having a baby sibling isn’t so bad after all.
A lovely, humorous book that celebrates dads.
Another great book for older siblings uncertain about the new arrival.
Potentially the greatest “birds and bees” book ever written.
Mum and Dad sit down to explain how babies are made.
The kids realise that Mum and Dad don’t know how babies are made so draw anatomically correct diagrams to educate their parents.
I’ve professed to being an Aaron Blabey fan girl.
This is a guide for new dads on what to expect when they’re expecting. Hilarious!
UPDATE: We just discovered this book…..
Every little person we know, about to become a sibling, will be getting a copy of this book.
It is just super delightful!
It’s like a kiddy Bringing-Up-Baby manual.
It comes with a detachable cardboard doll that you can swaddle, feed (with a detachable bottle) and snuggle.
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Great picks. I love John Burningham anything and Lucy Cousins too! How is your Little Ladybird loving being a big sister?
I can’t wait to see it, Zanni. How exciting for you! And I love Anna Pignataro’s super illustration powers.
It sounds like the perfect book for my little lady (who we, incidentally, refer to as Xanni) who wonders why her new baby brother fails to do anything exciting.