My second grandchild and first granddaughter just arrived this month, and I have babies on the brain. So it’s delightful to notice that the last three years have birthed a wonderful batch of brand-new, beautiful picture books about babies, featuring characters who are BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, & People of Color)!
Two trends we’re cheering in this list are more books about and created by Native people, and more appearances of bi/multiracial families.
Just Arrived
These five titles welcoming new little ones would make perfect baby shower gifts.
Babymoon
A couple celebrates their new roles as parents by spending the first days of their baby's life alone in their home, where a new dynamic of cuddling, connecting, and learning unfolds.
First laugh – Welcome Baby!
The First Laugh Ceremony is a celebration held to welcome a new member of the community. As everyone—from Baby's nima (mom) to nadi (big sister) to cheii (grandfather)—tries to elicit the joyous sound from Baby, readers are introduced to details about Navajo life and the Navajo names for family members. --publisher
Little you / Kîya-K’apisîsisîyân
This dual-language, poetic book for babies and toddlers celebrates every child and the joy babies bring into the world.
Sweetest Kulu
Describes the gifts given to a newborn baby by all the animals of the Arctic. Lyrically and tenderly told by a mother speaking to her own little "Kulu," an Inuktitut term of endearment often bestowed upon babies and young children, this visually stunning book is infused with the traditional Inuit values of love and respect for the land and its animal inhabitants."--publisher
We sang you home / Ka kîweh nikâmôstamâtinân
This dual-language book celebrates and welcomes baby into the world.
All About Babies
These multiracial titles explore the joys and milestones of babyhood.
You are new
"A world of being new is waiting--exciting, cool, and fascinating! Napping, crying, cuddling, playing, making friends, exploring--such a wealth of experiences await each new life."--Page [2] of cover
Baby’s firsts
Told in rhyming text, the story traces the development of a baby from birth to the first birthday.
Littles
A rhyming celebration of babies, or Littles, who are cared for by loved ones in every way and grow big in the blink of an eye
Up!
"Around the world, little ones are carried in many different ways: in slings, on shoulders, in backpacks, on hips, in baskets, and in loving arms. Up! depicts ten places around the world, from Afghanistan to northern Canada, Peru to West Africa. In each place, a mom, dad, grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, or sibling lovingly carries a baby. --Publisher
The Sibling Perspective
Big brothers and big sisters star in these books, including two titles that broaden representation of older siblings, one from the perspective of a transgender boy, one of a girl welcoming a sister through adoption.
When Aidan became a brother
"Aidan, a transgender boy, experiences complicated emotions as he and his parents prepare for the arrival of a new baby"--|cProvided by publisher
B is for baby
Set in West Africa, one morning after breakfast, Baby's big brother is getting ready to take the basket of bananas all the way to Baba's bungalow in the next village. He'll have to go along the bumpy road, past the baobab trees, birds, and butterflies, and all the way over the bridge. But what he doesn't realize is that his very cute, very curious baby sibling has stowed away on his bicycle.
A most unusual day
Caroline is anxious all day at school, nervous about her newly-adopted sister's arrival from far away
I’m big now!
When her new baby brother starts getting all of her family's attention, a little girl decides to try out being a baby again.
I'm a Big Brother Now by Katura Hudson and Sylvia Walker (2017)
Being a big brother is a big job. It takes a lot of work and patience, but it's a lot of fun too. This book explores the anticipation, excitement, and pride of a young boy who takes on this important new role as he helps to welcome a new baby into the family.
Anne Sibley O’Brien is a co-founder of the Diverse BookFinder, and the author/illustrator of many picture books, including Welcoming Babies by Margy Burns Knight, updated and re-released in 2018.