Barfburger Baby, I Was Here First

Reach for this book when your older child is struggling with the messy, loud reality of a new baby and needs to know that their feelings of annoyance and displacement are totally normal. It is a humorous and honest look at Jonathan James, a boy who feels his 'perfect' life has been upended by a smelly, attention-grabbing younger brother he nicknamed Barfburger. Paula Danziger captures the 'gross' side of siblinghood with wit, making it an excellent choice for children aged 4 to 8 who are navigating the transition from only child to big sibling. Parents will appreciate how the story validates a child's frustration without judgment, eventually showing a sweet path toward finding a new role in the family. It is an ideal tool for opening a dialogue about the complicated mix of love and resentment that often accompanies a new arrival.