Families who loved Barfburger Baby, I Was Here First by Paula Danziger often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
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.
