Harper Becomes a Big Sister

A warm, comforting picture book about becoming a big sister, navigating life with a new baby, and learning that when a family grows, so does its love.

Harper is thrilled to become a big sister for the very first time. She picks out a stuffed animal for her new baby brother and practices holding a doll just in case Dad and Daddy's arms get tired. She can't wait for the baby to join all the family's favorite activities!

But when her baby brother arrives, everything changes. Daddy is too tired to play hide-and-seek, Dad is too busy caring for the baby to go to the park, and even Taco Tuesday is ruined! Suddenly, Harper wonders if she'll ever get to do her favorite things with Dad and Daddy again.

Harper Becomes a Big Sister is the perfect book for any child getting ready to welcome a new sibling or adjust to life with a baby at home. This reassuring children's book about becoming a big sister, sibling jealousy, and big feelings shows kids that it's okay to feel excited and frustrated at the exact same time—and that welcoming someone new into the family doesn't mean there is any less love to go around.

Key features:

• normalizes big feelings about a new sibling: helps children understand that excitement, frustration, jealousy, and feeling left out are all normal emotions when a family changes
• prepares children for becoming an older sibling: a relatable story for kids getting ready to become a big sister or big brother
• celebrates growing families and lasting love: reassures children that a new baby may change routines and relationships, but it never takes away the love a family shares
• LGBTQ+ family representation: Harper's two dads are a natural, loving part of her story, giving children with same-sex parents a family that looks like theirs
• trusted publisher: from Magination Press, the children’s imprint of APA, dedicated to emotional well-being and healthy development 

Seamus Kirst is a writer whose work has been published in The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Guardian, Teen Vogue, Forbes, The Advocate, and Elle. He lives in Brooklyn, NY.

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Karen Bunting is an illustrator based in Bristol, UK.

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• ALA Rainbow Book List

Dreamy illustrations…A sweet and useful tool to help introduce new siblings…A new-baby story that will serve as a welcome mirror for queer families.

—Kirkus Reviews

Watch the author read Harper Becomes a Big Sister.opens in new window Interested in this book? Purchase a copy to continue (or start) the conversation with the children in your life.