Here are some books which we would recommend to help introduce the concept of a new baby brother or sister to your child. We have also included books which cover life and sibling interactions after the new baby has arrived.

	Theres A House Inside My Mummy – This is a really nice book about a little boy whose Mummy is going to have a new baby. The story is told in rhyming text and illustrated with very bold colourful pictures. There are plenty of things to talk about as you read this book with your child.
	My New Baby – This book has no words but has some lovely illustrations showing a little boy and his new baby brother in various situations such as having his nappy changed, having a bath, going for a walk etc. It is perfect for introducing your toddler to what life with a new baby will involve. Parents can tell the story in their own words while discussing the situations in the pictures.
	Waiting For Baby – This book is part of the same series as ‘The New Baby’ and again has no text but lovely illustrations to help you explain the story in your own words. This book covers the period from pregnancy up until the birth of the new baby.
	Topsy and Tim: The New Baby - The story of Topsy and Tims friend, Toby and his new baby brother. This book covers a lot of issues including getting the nursery ready, feeding the baby and a lot more. It even covers the issue of the elder sibling getting a bit jealous although he soon learns to be a helpful big brother.
	Annie Rose Is My Little Sister – Shirley Hughes stories about Alfie and his little sister Annie Rose have been around for years but still haven’t lost their appeal. While this book isn’t actually about a new baby, it is about Alfie’s relationship with his little sister. It covers the ups and downs of having a little sister in a very positive but realistic manner and is a lovely way to introduce young children to what life with a younger sibling could be like.

	Silly Verse For Kids by Spike Milligan- Illustrated by Milligan himself, this book has lots of wacky, weird rhymes such as ‘On the Ning Nang Nong’. Very silly but should put a smile on your childs face.
	100 Best Poems For Children- The poems in this book were chosen by children across the UK and include classics such as Kiplings ‘A smugglers song’ as well as more contemporary poems. This poetry books will probably appeal to children aged 6 and older.
	Poems for Young Children - This Childrens Poetry book has some lovely illustrations and a range of poems with something for everyone. The publisher gives a recommended age of 6+ but we think that younger children will love this book too.
	Twinkle Twinkle Chocolate Car – This books of poems is perfect for younger children and bridges the gap between nursery rhymes and poems for older children. It is full of lighthearted fun poems with plenty of laughs along the way.
	The Puffin Book Of Fantastic First Poems – This is another poetry book which is aimed at very young children (aged 3-6) and which acts as a bridge between nursery rhymes and poems for older children. The poems cover a wide range for topis and and include classics by the likes of Robert Louis Stevenson and more modern poems by writers such as Michael Rosen.
	Dragon Poems – This book is beautifully illustrated and contains 23 poems about dragons. Dragon poems is part of a series of 4 poetry books. The other three are dinosaur poems, monster poems and magic poems. All come highly recommended.

We hope you like our selection of poetry books for children. One good thing about poetry is that it exposes your children to a large number of words through a variety of sounds and rhythms. As children grow older they will learn how just a few carefully chosen words can describe a much bigger scenario or situation. Children don’t need to understand the meanings of all the words in a poem to enjoy listening or reading poetry.