The Berenstain Bears and Baby Makes Five by Stan Berenstain

This gentle story about family expansion helps young children understand the arrival of a new sibling through the familiar Bear family's experience. When Mama Bear announces she's having a baby, Brother and Sister Bear navigate the changes in their household with curiosity and some apprehension, making this an ideal first book about welcoming a baby. The warm illustrations and simple narrative provide comforting visual storytelling for toddlers who might be facing similar family transitions, offering reassurance through recognizable emotions and routines.

What distinguishes this family story is its honest portrayal of both excitement and uncertainty that children often feel when a new baby joins the family. The book's pacing allows very young readers to absorb the gradual changes in the household, from preparing the nursery to meeting the newborn cub. Parents seeking sibling preparation books will appreciate how it validates children's feelings while celebrating the joys of growing families, making it a valuable addition to any toddler's library of emotional learning stories.