By Rukhsana Khan
Illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Rubina is invited to her first ever birthday party! She can't wait for the games, cake, fun...and party favors. But her mom doesn't know what a birthday party is - it's new to her - and she insists that Rubina bring her little sister along. That isn't the way it's supposed to work, but Rubina has no choice. And it turns out that having pesky Sana at the party isn't nearly as bad as what she does afterward!

By Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrated by Sophie Blackall

There's always room for a sweet addition to the family! A new baby is BIG news. Gia's new baby brother or sister hasn't even been born yet, and already it is all anyone wants to talk about. She's worried: If the baby's such a big deal now, what's going to happen to her nice, cozy life with Mama once it's born? But Mama know just how to soothe Gia's worries and show her that the future will be sweet. Jacqueline Woodson and Sophie Blackall have created a reassuring, heartwarming story for children adjusting to change.

By John Burningham & Helen Oxenbury

A Carle Museum "Top of the Shelf" Book.
Click here to read our book review.

When is the baby coming? What will we call it? What will the baby do? We don't really need the baby, do we?
John Burningham's timeless story, perfectly complemented by Helen Oxenbury's illustrations, follows the swirl of questions in the mind of a young child anticipating a baby sibling with excitement, curiosity, and just a bit of trepidation.

By Margaret Mahy
Illustrated by Polly Dunbar

A Carle Museum "Top of the Shelf" Book.
Click here to read our book review.

When little Mabel's bubble gets away from her, it's her baby brother who gets into trouble. Soon he's floating out of the house, above the fence, and all over town! It's up to Mabel, Mother, and the rest of the townspeople to get him safely back down. Who knew that so much trouble could come from one little bubble?

By Jane Yolen
Illustrated by Susan Mitchell

A young child with an active imagination comes to terms with the imminent arrival of a sibling. As she and her mother move through their days -- trips to the family farm, a meeting with the mailman -- the young girl imagines a host of babies, each with their own unique characteristics and flaws. A pumpkin baby might be too round, a stork baby could fly away. How on earth will she be able to love such a child? In the end, however, the real-life baby is nothing like she'd expected, and everything she'd hope he would be.