The family gathers round to hear the sweet sound of the new babys sweet laugh! But just because everyone has gathered doesnt mean the babys ready. When the moment finally comes, the sound makes everyone else laugh tooaunts, uncles, cousins, and even great-grandma. It seems no one can resist the sound of babys laugh. And who would want to?
With simple, endearing text and Stephen Gammells unmistakable art, this tribute to the joy a young childs laughter will quickly become a family favorite.

Arent babies a wonder? Johnston and Caldecott Awardwinning Gammell (
Song and Dance Man,1988) capture the joy of hearing a baby laugh for the very first time. When a little boywhose drooping pants reveal an adorable baby cracklaughs out loud, the family stands stock-still to listen to the sweet noise. Mama suggests a Laugh-Out-Loud Party so that aunts, grandpas, cousins, and neighbors can get in on the miracle, and each tries to set the baby off with snorts and giggles of his or her own. Of course, babies dont perform on demand, and Baby chuckles in his own time (but when he does, Whoopee-Doodles! Our baby LAUGHED!). Johnstons rollicking text is full of poignant phrasesand into that quiet rang a little mirthful soundand plenty of jolly guffaws, while Gammells signature watercolor, pencil, and pastel illustrations feature a quirky family from another era living in a crooked clapboard house brimming with love. An authors note points out that the Navajo celebrate a childs first laugh with a ceremony. Sharing this with a child cant help but provoke . . . well, you know.