Book Bag
First Laugh Welcome Baby!
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Description
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).
Publication date
August 14, 2018
Classification
Fiction
Page Count
-
ISBN-13
9781580897945
Lexile Measure
500
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Charlesbridge Publishing
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV013040 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | New Baby
JUV011040 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | United States - Native American
JUV017080 - Juvenile Fiction | Holidays & Celebrations | Other, Non-Religious
JUV011040 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | United States - Native American
JUV017080 - Juvenile Fiction | Holidays & Celebrations | Other, Non-Religious
Library of Congress categories
Picture books
Families
Family life
Indians of North America
Babies
Childbirth
Infants
Southwest, New
Navajo Indians
Laughter
Birth customs
Families
Family life
Indians of North America
Babies
Childbirth
Infants
Southwest, New
Navajo Indians
Laughter
Birth customs
Publishers 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. Ages 2-5. (Aug.)
Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission. Rose Ann Tahe
* 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 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 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. Jonathan lives outside Denver, Colorado.
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