{"id":509803036682,"title":"First Laugh — Welcome, Baby!","handle":"first-laugh-welcome-baby","description":"\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/rose-ann-tahe\"\u003eRose Ann Tahe\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/nancy-bo-flood\"\u003eNancy Bo Flood\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/jonathan-nelson\"\u003eJonathan Nelson\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe First Laugh Ceremony is a celebration held to welcome a new member of the community.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs everyone—from Baby's nima (mom) to nadi (big sister) to cheii (grandfather)—tries to elicit the joyous sound from Baby, readers are introduced to details about Navajo life and the Navajo names for family members. Back matter includes information about other cultural ceremonies that welcome new babies and children, including man yue celebration (China), sanskaras (Hindu) and aquiqa (Muslim).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/charlesbridge.blogspot.com\/2018\/08\/charlesbridge-unplugged-10-nancy-bo.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eListen\u003c\/a\u003e to Nancy and Jonathan talk about \u003ci\u003eFirst Laugh—Welcome, Baby! \u003c\/i\u003eon Charlesbridge Unplugged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/charlesbridge.com\/products\/soldier-sister-fly-home\"\u003eSoldier Sister, Fly Home\u003c\/a\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/charlesbridge.com\/products\/children-of-native-america-today\"\u003eChildren of Native America Today\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/charlesbridge.com\/products\/we-are-grateful-otsaliheliga\"\u003eWe Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/first-laugh-spread.jpg?5004398070800315029\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript type=\"text\/javascript\" async=\"\" defer data-pin-shape=\"round\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Reads Aloud\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAuthor Rose Ann Tahe reads \u003ci\u003eFirst Laugh, Welcome Baby\u003c\/i\u003e aloud.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/160468701\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRose Ann Tahe, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRose Ann Tahe was born into the Naaneesh't'ezhi Tachii'nii nish'li (The Charcoal Streaked Division of the Red Running Into the Water Clan), born for Ashiihi bashish'chiin (Salt People Clan). Rose held a doctoral degree in elementary education leadership and a master's degree in elementary education. Rose died in 2015, and her son and three daughters support this posthumous publication.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNancy Bo Flood, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNancy Bo Flood was a research psychologist and studied brain development at the University of Minnesota and the University of London before writing books for children. She has a special interest in legends and folklore. Her titles include \u003ci\u003eSoldier Sister, Fly Home; Warriors in the Crossfire;\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eCowboy Up! Ride the Navajo Rodeo\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJonathan Nelson, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJohnny Nelson is a Navajo graphic designer, graphic artist, and illustrator. He is Kiiyaa'áanii (Towering House Clan) and Naakai Dine'é (Mexican Clan). Johnny designs and creates art and illustrations with paints, pixels, and ballpoint pens. This is his first picture book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNYPL Best Books of 2018\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCCBC Choices 2019\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhite Ravens 2019\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher's Weekly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Navajo families, a baby’s first laugh is more than a developmental milestone—it’s an honor to be the first person who makes the baby laugh, and the event is commemorated with a joyous gathering called the First Laugh Ceremony. The baby in this story, however, is making the family work for his giggles. “Your mouth open wide... It stretches... A smile? Oh, no. It’s a sleepy pink yawn,” write Tahe (a Navajo educator who died in 2015) and Flood (Cowboy Up! Ride the Navajo Rodeo). Not even baby’s ninaai (big brother), with his silly faces, can coax a grin. Then one day, cheii (grandfather) holds the baby high in the air, nima-sani (grandmother) whispers a traditional prayer, and “like babies everywhere—long ago and today—you laugh!” Debut illustrator Nelson, also of Navajo descent, contributes cartooning that captures an expansive, brilliantly hued outdoors and a close-knit family delighted with their newest addition. An extensive afterword gives more information on the ceremony as well as on baby celebrations in other cultures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a \"skyscraper home in the big, busy city\" and amid the high desert mesas of the \"Navajo Nation,\" family members attempt to make Baby laugh for the first time. Published posthumously with co-author Flood, Tahe's (Diné) debut picture book begins with four family members \"watching, tickling, smiling [at]\" a sleeping baby, wondering when they will hear the first laugh. Though the text itself lacks cultural identification in the first few pages, debut illustrator Nelson's (Diné) illustration supplies it, as two characters wear stylized hair buns on the nape to suggest a Navajo family. Before shifting to a rural setting on the Navajo Nation five pages later, the story continues in an urban environment with Grandmother tucking Baby in for a nap. For readers acquainted with Navajo culture, textual details such as \"Pendleton blanket\" and Nelson's visual cues, including Grandmother's turquoise pendant and a woven rug hanging on the wall, provide familiar touchstones. The remainder of the story sees all family members doing what they can to make Baby laugh. In Navajo tradition, families celebrate a baby's first laugh. Though an expository endnote on this and other new-baby celebrations indicates, \"The person who succeeds…has the honor of hosting the First Laugh Ceremony,\" readers never fully feel that build of anticipation. Readers who note contrived moments of exposition and the romantic Native nostalgia reminiscent of Flood's other works might feel duped by the reverse alphabetical authorial billing. For those familiar with Navajo traditions, Tahe's knowledge and Nelson's illustrations give enough of a Where's Waldo breath of cultural clues to balance the scale and justify the buy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/first-laugh-cvr.jpg?5004398070800315029\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/first-laugh-hires.zip?5004398070800315029\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: \u003cspan\u003e978-1-58089-794-5\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE-book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: \u003cspan\u003e978-1-63289-619-3\u003c\/span\u003e EPUB\u003cbr\u003e ISBN: \u003cspan\u003e978-1-63289-620-9\u003c\/span\u003e PDF\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 2-5\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e9\u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\/\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e x 8\u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\/\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]","published_at":"2018-02-26T15:16:00-05:00","created_at":"2018-02-26T12:38:43-05:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Ages 0-3","Browse by Age_Ages 3-6","Browse by Fiction\/Nonfiction_Fiction","Browse by Format_Picture Book","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_Diversity","Browse by Subject_Social Studies\/Cultures","Browse by Subject_Story Time \u0026 Play"],"price":1699,"price_min":1699,"price_max":1699,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":2390972727306,"title":"Hardcover","option1":"Hardcover","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"97945","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"First Laugh — Welcome, Baby! - Hardcover","public_title":"Hardcover","options":["Hardcover"],"price":1699,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":2,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"978-1-58089-794-5","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/first-laugh-cover.jpg?v=1586794020"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/first-laugh-cover.jpg?v=1586794020","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":"First Laugh — Welcome, Baby! book cover","id":2473485566031,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.117,"height":537,"width":600,"src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/first-laugh-cover.jpg?v=1586794020"},"aspect_ratio":1.117,"height":537,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/first-laugh-cover.jpg?v=1586794020","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/rose-ann-tahe\"\u003eRose Ann Tahe\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/nancy-bo-flood\"\u003eNancy Bo Flood\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/jonathan-nelson\"\u003eJonathan Nelson\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe First Laugh Ceremony is a celebration held to welcome a new member of the community.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs everyone—from Baby's nima (mom) to nadi (big sister) to cheii (grandfather)—tries to elicit the joyous sound from Baby, readers are introduced to details about Navajo life and the Navajo names for family members. Back matter includes information about other cultural ceremonies that welcome new babies and children, including man yue celebration (China), sanskaras (Hindu) and aquiqa (Muslim).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/charlesbridge.blogspot.com\/2018\/08\/charlesbridge-unplugged-10-nancy-bo.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eListen\u003c\/a\u003e to Nancy and Jonathan talk about \u003ci\u003eFirst Laugh—Welcome, Baby! \u003c\/i\u003eon Charlesbridge Unplugged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/charlesbridge.com\/products\/soldier-sister-fly-home\"\u003eSoldier Sister, Fly Home\u003c\/a\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/charlesbridge.com\/products\/children-of-native-america-today\"\u003eChildren of Native America Today\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/charlesbridge.com\/products\/we-are-grateful-otsaliheliga\"\u003eWe Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/first-laugh-spread.jpg?5004398070800315029\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript type=\"text\/javascript\" async=\"\" defer data-pin-shape=\"round\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Reads Aloud\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAuthor Rose Ann Tahe reads \u003ci\u003eFirst Laugh, Welcome Baby\u003c\/i\u003e aloud.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/160468701\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRose Ann Tahe, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRose Ann Tahe was born into the Naaneesh't'ezhi Tachii'nii nish'li (The Charcoal Streaked Division of the Red Running Into the Water Clan), born for Ashiihi bashish'chiin (Salt People Clan). Rose held a doctoral degree in elementary education leadership and a master's degree in elementary education. Rose died in 2015, and her son and three daughters support this posthumous publication.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNancy Bo Flood, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNancy Bo Flood was a research psychologist and studied brain development at the University of Minnesota and the University of London before writing books for children. She has a special interest in legends and folklore. Her titles include \u003ci\u003eSoldier Sister, Fly Home; Warriors in the Crossfire;\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eCowboy Up! Ride the Navajo Rodeo\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJonathan Nelson, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJohnny Nelson is a Navajo graphic designer, graphic artist, and illustrator. He is Kiiyaa'áanii (Towering House Clan) and Naakai Dine'é (Mexican Clan). Johnny designs and creates art and illustrations with paints, pixels, and ballpoint pens. This is his first picture book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNYPL Best Books of 2018\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCCBC Choices 2019\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhite Ravens 2019\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher's Weekly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Navajo families, a baby’s first laugh is more than a developmental milestone—it’s an honor to be the first person who makes the baby laugh, and the event is commemorated with a joyous gathering called the First Laugh Ceremony. The baby in this story, however, is making the family work for his giggles. “Your mouth open wide... It stretches... A smile? Oh, no. It’s a sleepy pink yawn,” write Tahe (a Navajo educator who died in 2015) and Flood (Cowboy Up! Ride the Navajo Rodeo). Not even baby’s ninaai (big brother), with his silly faces, can coax a grin. Then one day, cheii (grandfather) holds the baby high in the air, nima-sani (grandmother) whispers a traditional prayer, and “like babies everywhere—long ago and today—you laugh!” Debut illustrator Nelson, also of Navajo descent, contributes cartooning that captures an expansive, brilliantly hued outdoors and a close-knit family delighted with their newest addition. An extensive afterword gives more information on the ceremony as well as on baby celebrations in other cultures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a \"skyscraper home in the big, busy city\" and amid the high desert mesas of the \"Navajo Nation,\" family members attempt to make Baby laugh for the first time. Published posthumously with co-author Flood, Tahe's (Diné) debut picture book begins with four family members \"watching, tickling, smiling [at]\" a sleeping baby, wondering when they will hear the first laugh. Though the text itself lacks cultural identification in the first few pages, debut illustrator Nelson's (Diné) illustration supplies it, as two characters wear stylized hair buns on the nape to suggest a Navajo family. Before shifting to a rural setting on the Navajo Nation five pages later, the story continues in an urban environment with Grandmother tucking Baby in for a nap. For readers acquainted with Navajo culture, textual details such as \"Pendleton blanket\" and Nelson's visual cues, including Grandmother's turquoise pendant and a woven rug hanging on the wall, provide familiar touchstones. The remainder of the story sees all family members doing what they can to make Baby laugh. In Navajo tradition, families celebrate a baby's first laugh. Though an expository endnote on this and other new-baby celebrations indicates, \"The person who succeeds…has the honor of hosting the First Laugh Ceremony,\" readers never fully feel that build of anticipation. Readers who note contrived moments of exposition and the romantic Native nostalgia reminiscent of Flood's other works might feel duped by the reverse alphabetical authorial billing. For those familiar with Navajo traditions, Tahe's knowledge and Nelson's illustrations give enough of a Where's Waldo breath of cultural clues to balance the scale and justify the buy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/first-laugh-cvr.jpg?5004398070800315029\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/first-laugh-hires.zip?5004398070800315029\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: \u003cspan\u003e978-1-58089-794-5\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE-book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: \u003cspan\u003e978-1-63289-619-3\u003c\/span\u003e EPUB\u003cbr\u003e ISBN: \u003cspan\u003e978-1-63289-620-9\u003c\/span\u003e PDF\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 2-5\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e9\u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\/\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e x 8\u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\/\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]"}

First Laugh — Welcome, Baby!

By: Rose Ann Tahe and Nancy Bo Flood / Illustrated by: Jonathan Nelson

The First Laugh Ceremony is a celebration held to welcome a new member of the community.

As everyone—from Baby's nima (mom) to nadi (big sister) to cheii (grandfather)—tries to elicit the joyous sound from Baby, readers are introduced to details about Navajo life and the Navajo names for family members. Back matter includes information about other cultural ceremonies that welcome new babies and children, including man yue celebration (China), sanskaras (Hindu) and aquiqa (Muslim).

Listen to Nancy and Jonathan talk about First Laugh—Welcome, Baby! on Charlesbridge Unplugged.

Maximum quantity available reached.

Author Rose Ann Tahe reads First Laugh, Welcome Baby aloud.

Rose Ann Tahe, author

Rose Ann Tahe was born into the Naaneesh't'ezhi Tachii'nii nish'li (The Charcoal Streaked Division of the Red Running Into the Water Clan), born for Ashiihi bashish'chiin (Salt People Clan). Rose held a doctoral degree in elementary education leadership and a master's degree in elementary education. Rose died in 2015, and her son and three daughters support this posthumous publication.


Nancy Bo Flood, author

Nancy Bo Flood was a research psychologist and studied brain development at the University of Minnesota and the University of London before writing books for children. She has a special interest in legends and folklore. Her titles include Soldier Sister, Fly Home; Warriors in the Crossfire; and Cowboy Up! Ride the Navajo Rodeo.


Jonathan Nelson, illustrator

Johnny Nelson is a Navajo graphic designer, graphic artist, and illustrator. He is Kiiyaa'áanii (Towering House Clan) and Naakai Dine'é (Mexican Clan). Johnny designs and creates art and illustrations with paints, pixels, and ballpoint pens. This is his first picture book.

  • NYPL Best Books of 2018
  • CCBC Choices 2019
  • White Ravens 2019

Publisher's Weekly

In Navajo families, a baby’s first laugh is more than a developmental milestone—it’s an honor to be the first person who makes the baby laugh, and the event is commemorated with a joyous gathering called the First Laugh Ceremony. The baby in this story, however, is making the family work for his giggles. “Your mouth open wide... It stretches... A smile? Oh, no. It’s a sleepy pink yawn,” write Tahe (a Navajo educator who died in 2015) and Flood (Cowboy Up! Ride the Navajo Rodeo). Not even baby’s ninaai (big brother), with his silly faces, can coax a grin. Then one day, cheii (grandfather) holds the baby high in the air, nima-sani (grandmother) whispers a traditional prayer, and “like babies everywhere—long ago and today—you laugh!” Debut illustrator Nelson, also of Navajo descent, contributes cartooning that captures an expansive, brilliantly hued outdoors and a close-knit family delighted with their newest addition. An extensive afterword gives more information on the ceremony as well as on baby celebrations in other cultures.

Kirkus Reviews

In a "skyscraper home in the big, busy city" and amid the high desert mesas of the "Navajo Nation," family members attempt to make Baby laugh for the first time. Published posthumously with co-author Flood, Tahe's (Diné) debut picture book begins with four family members "watching, tickling, smiling [at]" a sleeping baby, wondering when they will hear the first laugh. Though the text itself lacks cultural identification in the first few pages, debut illustrator Nelson's (Diné) illustration supplies it, as two characters wear stylized hair buns on the nape to suggest a Navajo family. Before shifting to a rural setting on the Navajo Nation five pages later, the story continues in an urban environment with Grandmother tucking Baby in for a nap. For readers acquainted with Navajo culture, textual details such as "Pendleton blanket" and Nelson's visual cues, including Grandmother's turquoise pendant and a woven rug hanging on the wall, provide familiar touchstones. The remainder of the story sees all family members doing what they can to make Baby laugh. In Navajo tradition, families celebrate a baby's first laugh. Though an expository endnote on this and other new-baby celebrations indicates, "The person who succeeds…has the honor of hosting the First Laugh Ceremony," readers never fully feel that build of anticipation. Readers who note contrived moments of exposition and the romantic Native nostalgia reminiscent of Flood's other works might feel duped by the reverse alphabetical authorial billing. For those familiar with Navajo traditions, Tahe's knowledge and Nelson's illustrations give enough of a Where's Waldo breath of cultural clues to balance the scale and justify the buy.

Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-58089-794-5

E-book
ISBN: 978-1-63289-619-3 EPUB
ISBN: 978-1-63289-620-9 PDF

Ages: 2-5
Page count: 32
91/2 x 81/2