Books about Parenting
Preparing a toddler for the New Baby
From: Lisa (1/99)
Does anyone have any suggestions for books and other strategies to help
prepare our oldest for the arrival of a new baby? Ricky will be almost
two when the baby is born. One dad I work with recommended the Little
Critter book, The New Baby.
Thanks!
From: Blanch (1/99)
One excellent book for siblings, when a new baby is on the way is "Darcey
and Gran Don't Like Babies". It really helped my "older" son (age 3) talk
about different things that were bothering him. We read it a bit before the
baby came but more frequently during the baby's first year. It points out
all the great things an older child can do that a baby cannot do.
A book you might want to avoid is the one about a new baby in the
Berenstein Bear series. I don't recall its name but I remember a child
development expert recommending NOT using this book because it shows an
older child being moved out of his or her crib to make room for the new
baby-- reinforcing an older child's fear of being displaced by the new baby.
From: Dawn (1/99)
We found a great book in the Walden Books on the subject. Unfortunately, I
don't know the author, but the title is (I think) "I'm a Big Sister
[Brother] Now." It comes in two editions, one aimed at boys and the other
at girls (though the baby is "generic"). Nice friendly illustrations. It
talks about how this is a change, but that the arrival of the sibling
doesn't mean that the first child is any less special. Also talks about
how babies need special care and attention, and how the Big Kid can do
From: Deborah (1/99)
The book we all liked the most was "I'm a Big Sister" by Rebecca Cole.
There is also an "I'm a Big Brother" version. Best of luck. -Deborah
Books for Families with More than 2 Kids
6/00
We're expecting our third child at the end of July and are looking for books
to prepare our two older children (one will be four, the other seven). We've
found lots of books about one child with a new baby but only the Arthur book with
three total children. If anyone knows of any, it'd be great to know about them.
Cynthia
I don't know of any picture books (although there must be some), but
there are some chapter books that are fun to read to kids the age of
yours that include this theme. The series that first comes to mind are
a set of books about Russell and his younger sister Elisa, by Johanna
Hurwitz. The first, "Rip Roaring Russell" is
about Russell as a four-year-old dealing with nursery school, a baby
sister, etc. I can't remember the names of all the later books, but
eventually the family has a third child, and Elisa has to deal with not
being the baby any more. The books are fun, funny, and very relevant to
concerns of both four-year-olds and seven-year-olds. The Ramona series
(by Beverly Cleary) might be a little harder for the four year old, but
could be fun for the seven-year-old. Ramona starts out as an extremely
trying younger sister in the early books and by the later ones in the
series has to cope with being an older sister.
Mary
Try the Katie Morag series. Katie Morag lives on a fictional island in
Scotland with her parents and first one, then two younger siblings. Some
of these books are available through amazon.com They are fun and
beautifully illustrated.
Books about Preparing for a Second Child
See also: Books for Kids about the New Baby
4/00
Jenny
I am expecting my second child at the end of October, at which time my son
will be a little over two years old. I would like a recommendation for a
book(s) that will help all of us prepare for the next child. Any suggestions
would be greatly appreciated
Meg
My book "Keys to Preparing and Caring for Your Second Child" (Barron's)
covers almost everything a second-time parent needs to know. You can
preview it at http://www.megzweiback.com/
Sherry
I would recommend a book by local child development consultant and
writer for Parents Press:
Zweibach, Meg, Keys to Preparing and Caring For your Second Child.
c199l
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