Books about the New Baby for Older Siblings
Lots of fabulous books to prepare big siblings. Many of these will be available at the library, or gently used for low prices online. Or you can snuggle in at a bookstore and read them. But you may want to buy your favorites to read them over and over when times get tough. Many of the books here (especially lower on this list) share the theme of an ambivalent older sibling who comes to love the new arrival, which is a pretty good model to give older kids.
When I lost my severely premature son earlier this summer, I was frustrated trying to find a book for my four year old that would help him understand what had happened -- and then I found this book. It is gentle and simple and so utterly perfect, whether your baby died in utero or shortly after birth. It takes such a difficult topic and puts it in words (and beautiful illustrations) that children can understand. I hope you never need this book, but if you do, you'll be so glad to have it.--Patricia Ritchie
