First Laugh--Welcome, Baby!

Our 2 yr old grandson asked, "Grandma did you get this book for me?" When I said yes, I got a huge hug. This is one of his favorite stories and since he will soon be a big brother, the story has special significance because we are going to follow this tradition and see who makes the new baby laugh first. This is a nice way to share another culture with a young child.

Both my girls, ages 21 months and four love this book. The book tells the engaging, universal story of a family experiencing their little babies first laugh- something that young children can relate to while also deftly interweaving an authentic, modern view of the lives of a family that is part of the Navajo Nation (they live in the city, the mother is a teacher, the father is a welder building skyscrapers, they wear modern clothing, sometimes they visit their parents in the Navajo Nation for celebrations etc). This is really a gem- a lovely way to share a beautiful story while also providing children (and adults!) un-stereotyped, un-Hollywooded portrayal of a Navajo family. Books like this are *deeply* needed!

This is a very unique and a culture story about the baby's first laugh celebration along with sea salt in a wedding basket as is valuable in the Navajo (Dine') culture. So the baby will not be selfish in life. This book can be for both young/up in age. Great for gifts too.

I love the story about a really tender tradition in the Navajo culture, while also showing how the whole family, including the young and the old, stay closely connected, even today. There is so much information about the culture and the value of each member of the family, as well as the community, in a short, delightful book. The illustrations are beautiful, too. One of my favorite parts, and one I hope people don't miss, is the special information included in the pages after the end of the story. There are four pages of "Don't MIss" information about the book, and also about welcoming rituals for new baby from other parts of the world and other cultures.

We love this gentle, sweet story about an extended family waiting for a new baby's first laugh, an important milestone in the Navajo culture. For those of us not familiar with this custom, the story makes us feel like a family member included as everyone tries to be the one to cause the baby to laugh first. Story tension builds naturally and gently--who will it be? We'll see! And then what happens? A lot! Appended with a list of other cultural traditions for welcoming new babies that are fun to learn and discuss.

Absolutely adorable! Describes a family waiting for their baby to laugh so it can gets it name. The end describes different cultures’ approaches to welcoming babies. Would be a good baby shower gift or a read for order kids to learn about different cultures.

Was delighted with story line, artwork, and the extra background materials for other cultures traditions in the last pages of the book. Primary story on Navajo Indian culture, but present day and traditional blended families. Have a young grandchild and we are excitedly waiting for the first laugh. Sociologist/Professor coworker recommended this book. Very happy with it.

This is such a touching story of a traditional Navajo rite of passage for those close to a newborn - who makes the baby laugh first! It includes baby traditions from other cultures to make this a very special gift for any family with a baby.