Children's Books About Being an Only Child
Children without siblings often find that being an only child is an important part of their identity. It might mean a special relationship with parents, grandparents, neighbors, friends, or pets. It might mean learning how to play alone at times or developing an active imagination. My daughter was an only child until she was seven, and during those years, she loved finding books with characters whose experiences matched hers, or characters whose families looked like ours. While sibling stories may be more prevalent, here are 11 books for kids who are an only child.
Saturday(opens in new window)
A mother and daughter love to spend their Saturdays together, but one day everything seems to go wrong. At the end, they realize the most important thing is just being together.
Henry and Mudge: The First Book(opens in new window)
In this first book of the Henry and Mudge series, Henry feels lonely in his neighborhood without any other children until his parents get him a pet dog.
Jessica(opens in new window)
Ruthie doesn’t have a dog or cat or brother or sister — but she has what she considers to be the next best thing: Jessica, her imaginary friend. When it’s time to start kindergarten, Ruthie wants to bring Jessica along rather than find new friends.
Puddle(opens in new window)
When rain stops a boy from going outside to play, he and his mom draw a picture of themselves playing outside instead.
Birdsong(opens in new window)
When a young girl moves to a new home far away from friends and relatives, she builds a friendship with her elderly neighbor next door.
Ivy + Bean: One Big Happy Family(opens in new window)
In this story from the Ivy + Bean chapter book series, Ivy hears that only children are usually spoiled rotten and realizes she needs to do something to avoid becoming spoiled herself. When attempting to give away her belongings at school doesn’t go as planned, Ivy decides she needs to find herself a baby sister.
What’s So Bad About Being an Only Child?(opens in new window)
Rosemary does not like being an only child. It seems all her friends with siblings belong to a special club, and she’s not a member. When Rosemary fills her life with a collection of creatures, she finds being an only child isn’t so bad after all.
My Autumn Book(opens in new window)
A little girl is thrilled that autumn is coming and spends the day outside, playing and exploring on her own.
Meet Yasmin(opens in new window)
In this early reader of short stories, second grader Yasmin is an explorer, painter, builder, and fashionista, supported by her multigenerational family of Mama, Baba, Nani, and Nana.
The Big Bed(opens in new window)
When a little girl wants a spot on her parents’ big bed, she presents a proposal to her dad: he can move to a camping cot, and she’ll take his spot with Mommy.
My Pet Wants a Pet(opens in new window)
A boy wants to take care of something of his very own, so his mom agrees to give him a pet. But soon, his pet wants a pet! In this silly story, the boy learns that when you take care of something, that something takes care of you.
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