I Am In The Story Blog
Gift Ideas

A Book for a New Big Brother or Sister

When a baby arrives, the older child gets overlooked. A personalised book with them as the hero, and the baby in the story, is one small way to fix that.

By I Am In The Story Blog Editorial Team · Updated · 2 min read
Hansel and Gretel personalised story book – illustrated page 1

Key takeaways

  • Make the older child the hero and the baby a character in their story, not the other way round.
  • Hansel and Gretel is built for two heroes; Peter Pan lets a sibling play the boy in green.
  • Give it a few weeks before the birth, or on the day the baby comes home, ideally "from the baby".
  • For a newborn's photo, use soft daylight while the baby is awake and calm.

For the first few weeks after a new baby comes home, most of the presents, visitors and attention go one way. A two- or four-year-old notices. A personalised book is a small thing, but it’s one present that’s entirely about the older child, and it can quietly tell them what their new job is.

Get the roles the right way round

The older child is the hero. The baby is in their story: carried through the forest, shown the way home, protected from the dragon. That framing matters. A book in which the new baby is the star and the big sister is a supporting character sends the opposite message from the one you want.

Two heroes in one tale: brother and sister share the adventure equally.

Tales that suit siblings

Hansel and Gretel is the obvious one: the hero and their brother or sister get lost in the woods, find the gingerbread house and get home by sticking together. If the children are close in age, both can be heroes.

Peter Pan has a part (the boy in green) that a sibling, cousin or friend can play.

The Nutcracker has the Nutcracker prince, another part for a brother or sister, and it makes a good first-Christmas-with-the-baby book.

The Little Mermaid has a friend from the village, which a sibling can play.

All the tales with a part for a brother or sister are listed on iaminthestory.com.

Or write your own

Two or three sentences are enough, and a story about the real situation often works best:

  • Leo shows his baby sister around the house and teaches her all his favourite things.
  • Ava and her little brother build a rocket in the garden and fly to the moon to find the best bedtime story.
  • The day baby Sam comes home, big brother Noah has to rescue Sam’s teddy from a very small dragon.
A few lines of your own idea become a whole illustrated story.

When to give it

Before the birth. Read it together over the last few weeks. It gives the older child a picture of themselves as the big sibling before it happens.

The day the baby comes home. A present “from the baby” is an old trick and still a good one.

The first birthday. A year on, a book starring both of them.

Photographing a newborn

Wait until the baby is awake and calm, use soft light from a window, and get close. Newborn faces change quickly, so use the photo within a few weeks.

For other ideas see the gift ideas list, and for photo tips the photo guide. To make one, Hansel and Gretel is a good start.

Frequently asked questions

When should I give a big brother or big sister book?

Either a few weeks before the birth, so they can imagine the new role, or the day the baby comes home, as a present from the baby.

Can a newborn be in the book?

Yes, as a character beside the older child. A clear photo of the baby's face in good light is enough.

What about siblings who are close in age?

Make them joint heroes. A book on I Am In The Story can have one or two heroes, and Hansel and Gretel was written for two.

Pick a fairy tale, add your child

Classic stories children already know by name — each one retold with your child on every page.

See all stories →

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