This would be a great cultural book to have in your classroom this would also be good if you are teaching a unit on this culture. I loves the illustrations and how this talks about the importance of laughter.

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. ( )

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss. ( )

What a lovely book -- centers on baby welcoming celebrations in Navaho life, but uses that moment as an opportunity to show the ways Navaho people blend traditional and modern life. The family is at the hear of it, and the small naming phrases welcome the reader as well as the child. Well done, and I love the illustrations and the around the world birthday information in the back as well. ( )

I just got my own copy of "First Laugh: Welcome Baby!", and I love it. It is cozy and happy and wonderful. The illustrations of a family are intimate, warm, and loving. The book tells the story of a family's newest little baby and their efforts to make him laugh. Notes at the end of the book tell us of the Diné (Navajo) custom of a baby's first laugh being the spark that marks a baby's entrance into their community. The book itself is colorful page after page of each family member loving the little baby and trying to make him laugh. I love all the pictures of hugs, tender touches, and love. The colors are vivid and the pages filled with the warmth of family.

"Baby! We wait. Watching, tickling, smiling. When will we hear you very first laugh?"
"Papa tick-tickles your tummy and toes. Mama sings with the sunset."

Many Native American picture books are stereotypical and demeaning, but this one is not. It shows a modern Diné family doing normal things. A regular family works and lives and loves together, like families everywhere do. However, it does weave in aspects of Diné culture such as sheep, blue cornmeal mush, and Diné vocabulary. For more on these aspects of the book I recommend reading Dr. Debbie Reese's review. https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2018/12/first-laugh-we...

I would recommend this picture book to adults and children alike. Its warm charm would be a wonderful addition to anyone's picture book collection.