Rose Ann Tahe

Everyone in the family — grandparents, parents, and siblings — wait for the baby’s first laugh. This is an experience that many parents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and other family members can relate to, but it holds special significance for the characters of this book. As the backmatter explains, in Navajo culture, a baby’s first laugh officially initiates them into their family and community, followed by a ceremony that “expresses the parents’ hope that their child will always be friendly, kind, and caring.” Further notes go on to explain other traditions involving infants from a number of different ethnic and religious backgrounds, making this a very informative read. The illustrations fit this touching family story well.… (meer)