Best Books to Prepare an Older Sibling for a New Baby (By Age & Language)
I’m a sibling doula and early childhood educator. And when parents ask me which book to read to an older sibling, I rarely answer from theory alone. I go to where parents are honest: forums.
This article gathers the books that come up again and again in English-, French-, and Dutch-speaking parenting communities - organised by age, not marketing labels.
Because a good book doesn’t prepare a child to behave. It prepares them to feel safe inside change.
Ages 1–2 - Familiarity Over Explanation
Top English Books
Peppa and the New Baby
Za‑za’s Baby Brother
“They already trusted the character - so the baby felt less threatening.”
Top French Books
Tchoupi devient grand frère
Board books by Jeanne Ashbé
“Simple, concrete, perfect before sleep.”
Top Dutch Books
Jules wordt grote broer
“Short sentences. Clear routines.”
Sibling doula note: At this age, books are anchors, not lessons.
Ages 3–4 - Feelings, Play, and Comparison
Top English Books
I Want a Brother or Sister
There’s Going to Be a Baby
“My child finally said: that’s how I feel.”
Top French Books
Il y a une maison dans ma maman
Bébé Caddum
“It explained the belly and the emotions.”
Top Dutch Books
Een broertje of zusje voor jou
“Seeing their own name changed everything.”
Sibling doula note: This is the age where books open conversations, not close them.
Ages 5–7 - Honest Answers, Shared Meaning
Parents across cultures agree: Children this age want truth without drama.
Books already mentioned are often reread - but now slowly, with pauses, questions, silence.
“The book wasn’t the answer.
It gave us a way to talk.”
The best book won’t prepare your child to love the baby. It prepares them to stay connected to you while everything changes.
And that is enough.
👉 In the next article, I explain why these books work - through pedagogy, not opinion.
