How to Welcome a New Baby

by Jean Reagan, Lee Wildish (Illustrator)

From the New York Times bestselling creators of How to Babysit a Grandma and How to Babysit a Grandpa comes a fun and adorable board book about how to welcome a new baby into your family!

A new baby is coming! Do you know what to do? This heartwarming new addition to the bestselling How to... series is all about welcoming a new sibling into your family.

Learn how to get ready for the baby, how to make the baby laugh, and how to help Mom and Dad when things get a little topsy-turvy. Follow along through the first year of baby's life, and learn How To... from the experts -- kids!

Filled with charming role-reversal humor and creative ideas--and now available in a board book format-- How To Welcome a New Baby will surely delight new siblings and growing families everywhere!

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Humor, Childrens, Fiction, Parenting

26 pages, Board Book

Published April 16, 2024

About the author

Jean Reagan lives in Salt Lake City, Utah with her husband, Peter, and daughter, Jane. Their beloved son and brother, John, died in 2005. Born in Alabama, Jean spent most of her childhood in Japan. Since graduating from Earlham College, she has worked as a community organizer, a union activist, and a writer. She cherishes her years as a full-time mother when she also worked at her children's public school, The Open Classroom. In the summers, her family lives in a tiny, remote cabin in Grand Teton National Park where she and Peter serve as volunteer backcountry rangers. Bears visit them frequently.

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parents and caregivers might consider sharing this picture book, the ninth title in the amusing "How to..." series, with the child at home who is awaiting a new sibling or addition to the family. With front endpapers featuring letters to parents and back endpapers featuring an adorable infant in various poses, the book has visual and textual appeal as well as providing a way to ease the transition when a change in family dynamics is imminent. The digital illustrations follow a young boy as he and his interracial family prepare their home for a new baby. There's a lot of work to be completed, but after the baby comes home, there's even more. From giving and getting extra hugs of reassurance to avoiding smelly diapers to helping the baby sleep and providing important lessons such as what to eat and what not to eat, the little brother in this picture book is eager to do his best at making the new family member feel welcome. There are plenty of tips here that will help others in similar shoes. Readers are sure to smile at the book's conclusion since big brother isn't the only one who knows how to welcome someone home.

[Mesa Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcoming a new baby to the family is a joyous occasion for parents. But how does a sibling feel about the coming of a new brother or sister? Jean Reagan does a wonderful job giving siblings ideas on what they can do to welcome a new baby. The author explains how important their role is as a “big” brother or sister to the new baby. Jean doesn’t miss anything; she even includes how it might feel when the baby is getting a lot of attention. The story is warm and humorous. When preparing the home for a new baby, don’t forget to include this book.

- Jeanene D.

[Joan Gagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Children's Librarian I really appreciate this book! It has what most parents and grandparents are looking for when it comes to introducing the idea of a baby to a soon to be older sibling. It gives the older sibling some things that they can do to help the family. I especially love the advice for when "... your dad gets stuck under a sleeping baby, bring everything he needs." Definitely a worthwhile purchase for libraries!

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for older siblings who have a new baby in their family! I feel like lots of picture books dwell on the sibling jealousy aspect, and while this book acknowledges that it's ok to ask for a hug/attention as the older sibling too (etc), the overall take is very positive and excited, giving the older sibling many ideas of things they can do to prepare for the baby and enjoy them when they arrive. The pictures are all cute and upbeat. Adding this to my "New Baby" list for sure!

[Read Ribbet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the ninth book in Reagan and Wildish's How To series. This time they focus on preparing an older sibling for a new addition to the family. The book is surprisingly practical as it gives the sibling tips on how to help the family and what to do at various stages of development. It is a good book to have on hand to convince the valuable role the sibling will play especially as the newborn might get most of the attention.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet book is for older siblings who are getting a baby. The tips were actually really helpful, and would make this big brother or sister so great to have around. I loved the multi-cultural family coming together with extended family too. If I was having another baby, I'd use this one with my big kids.

[Cindy Dobrez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fun option to gift to a soon-to-be or just-became older sibling. The new in-command older brother or sister will love this look at their new expertise. Lots of delightful details in the scenes to amuse toddlers too.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific entry in this series. Reagan captures the gamut of emotions an older sibling feels when a new baby joins the family. Readers see all sorts of ways to help - humorous and realistic - as in her other stories. A definite must buy for families adding siblings to their homes.

[Mr. Canning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for a library. A young boy shares how to care for a new baby in the family and how to welcome the child. He gives good advice. I also like that this is a biracial family being modeled in the story. That's impressive.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author does it again in her how-to-themed books. This one about all the things we do to get ready and welcome a new baby to the family. All the people in family and pets involved in the welcoming and adding a new baby.

[Faith Barber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book that will appeal to kids who are welcoming a new sibling/baby into their home. This series is great for mentor texts that show students "how to" writing and a different way transitional words can be used in procedural texts.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Too cute!

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet book for a child about to be a siblingl

[Jamille Parks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore these books.

[Linda Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too cute! Loved the letters on the end pages <3

[Anna Brigance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet story about a big brother showing his baby brother around and teaching him the things that he knows.

[SamSamSam · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was fine, but the layout of the book was very visually overwhelming. Not great for the intended age group.

[emyrose8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book to help older siblings adjust to a new baby added to the family. Very cute.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jean Reagan is one my favorite children's picture book authors :) They are fun, super cute and the illustrations are the best.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and cute.

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

There are just too many books in this series with the exact same characters and illustrations, and they're not actually stories. There isn't actually a plot.

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought from Arlington Resale in TX

[Yoselin Martínez · Rating 5 out of 5]

El libro más dulce y tierno que he leído jamás.

Dirigido a los hermanitos mayores que por primera vez experimentarán lo que es tener un nuevo bebé en casa. El objetivo del libro es empoderarlos e involucrarlos, que no se sientan solitarios o excluidos. Les hacen ver que este proceso será también para ellos una "responsabilidad". Es necesario que se sientan de esa manera para que se vean con un rol importante dentro de la nueva dinámica familiar, todo explicado super sencillo y con muchisima ternura. Les dice cómo ellos pueden ayudar en las diferentes etapas, de recien nacido: a lavarle los piecitos al bebé, a hacerlo reír... Cuando ya se puede sentar el bebé, que le lean libros, que jueguen con sus peluches... Cuando ya comienza a caminar, se van al picnic con los papás, etc.

El mensaje al final es de lo más importante y me conmovio muchisimo, pues le hace ver al niño que sí él en esta etapa es bueno con su pequeño hermano, más adelante siempre poda contar con él... Les prometo que se me empañaron los ojitos.

No podría adorarlo y recomendarlo más. Todos deberían tenerlo en casa, es demasiado valioso para la educación familiar.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learn about things you can do to be a great older sibling.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very practical and light-hearted ways are given here for a child to expect and welcome a new sibling. It's very realistic and fun and not over-the-top.