Author: Aaron Blabey

Publication Information: Penguin Random House Australia, 2014

Intended Audience: K-3rd (LG - BL: 3.1)

Important Themes/Connection: Sibling rivalry, acceptance and adaptation 

Potential Concerns: N/A

Summary: This story incorporates rhyme and a narrative from a cunning older brother, Spalding Quibble, who becomes distraught when his new baby brother is brought home and becomes the center of attention. This story follows Spalding’s feelings of frustration and jealousy and his plots to make his brother’s life difficult. As Spalding discovers the value of relationships and love, he comes to acceptance. This story illustrates many heartfelt moments and explores the ever-changing sibling dynamic. 

Author: Tarra Luebbe and Becky Cattie

Publication information: Albert Whitman and Company (April 1, 2019)

Audience Age: 4-8 years

Themes: Learning how to share the attention

Major Concerns: none

Summary: Kiely has been the famous and popular one in the family for as long as she can remember. The paparazzi have always been interested in her, and that is until she gets a new younger sister, and everything changes. Kiely has to figure out how to get the spotlight back on her and get the attention back from her adoring fans (her family), even if that means she must share the spotlight with her new sister.

Author:  Mercer Mayer

Publication information: Random House Books for Young Readers (January 1, 2001)

Audience Age: 2-3 years

Themes: Learning how to be an older sibling

Major Concerns: none

Summary: In this story, Little Critter must learn how to live with a new baby. When he first hears of her arrival, he is excited to show her his new things, but she doesn’t pay attention to him. When she starts to cry, Little Critter tries to make funny faces, but she cries even harder. The new baby also smells funny. Little Critter learns how to properly take care of his sister and ends up being a good big brother.

Author:  Lauren Child

Publication information: Candlewick Press (February 10, 2015)

Audience Age: 3-8 years

Themes: Sibling, How to deal with getting a new sibling

Major Concerns: none

Summary: Like many children, Elenore Green starts his life off as an only child. He has the freedom to place his things wherever he wants, watch TV without being bothered, and eat all the jelly beans.  However, this changes on the day when a new small person comes along. It seems that everybody might like it a bit more than they like Elmore Green, even though he doesn’t know why. When the small person knocks over Elmore’s things and even licks his favorite jelly beans, Elmore’s parents say that he can’t be angry because the small person is only small. Elmore wants the small person to go back to wherever it came from. As the small person grows up, Elmore must learn how to share his life with someone else.

Author: Kate Feiffer

Publication information: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, 2010

Intended audience: K-3 (LG, BL:3.1)

Important themes/connection: New siblings, disappointment, rejection

Potential concerns: Jealousy, rejection

Summary: This book is about a boy who wanted a baby brother but got a baby sister instead. Throughout the story, he tries to get rid of her and get a baby brother. When he proves unsuccessful, he realizes how special it is to have a baby sister and decides that he likes her. 

Author: Ezra Jack Keats

Publication Information: Harper & Row, 1967

Intended Audience: K-3rd grade (LG - BL: 3.0)

Important Themes/Connection: Sibling relationships, sharing, and adapting 

Potential Concerns: N/A

Summary: The story is about a young boy, Peter, who experiences feelings of jealousy and becomes upset when his baby sister begins using his old things, specifically his chair. Peter takes his chair and runs away to keep it for himself, unable to let go. He learns the value of sharing and how passing his chair down is a part of growing up. This story highlights family and culture through its illustrations. 

Author:  Raina Telgemeier

Publication information: Graphix (April 5, 2022)

Audience Age: 8-11 years

Themes: How to get along with your siblings

Major Concerns: selfishness

Summary: Raina can't wait to be a big sister, but when her little sister Amara is born, things don’t go exactly as she expected. Amara is a cranky, grouchy baby and mostly a little girl who prefers to play by herself. Their relationship doesn't improve much until their little brother, Will, is born. Later, their parents start having issues, and the girls realize they have learned how to get along.

Author: Judith Viorst

Publication information: Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books 2019

Intended audience: K-3 (LG, BL: 5.8)

Important themes/connection: Sibling rivalry, jealousy 

Potential concerns: Meanness to siblings

Summary: Lulu discovers she will be a big sister and must attend a training camp. She was determined to be the meanest big sister in camp history. She becomes a bully to her temporary younger siblings. When faced with her brother in training camp, bullying her siblings, she becomes protective and a good sister. 

Author: Flora Ahn

Publication information: Scholastic Press, 2018

Intended audience: K-3 (LG, BL: 4.1)

Important themes/connection: New siblings

Potential concerns: N/A

Summary: When a pug, Sunny, gets a new sister, she must navigate having a sister and being patient, even when she ruins things she loves. When she loses Sunny's favorite toy, Sunny must find it. She also realizes how much she cares for her sister when she becomes lost. It is up to Sunny to save the day and find her sister and bunny before they are gone forever. 

Author: Barbara Park

Publication information: Random House Books for Young Readers (November 3, 2010)

Audience Age: 5-7 years

Themes: Learning to be a big sister

Major Concerns: none

Summary: In this book of the series, Junie B. Jones gets a new little brother. She then learns that her little brother has become a big deal, even though he can’t do anything and just cries a lot. Junie B. will learn that having a little brother might not be as bad as she initially thought, since her two best friends would give anything just to see him. She may also be lucky enough to bring him to school on Pet Day.