Laugh-Out-Loud Baby, written by Tony Johnston and illustrated by Stephen Gammell. A Paula Wiseman Book, Simon & Schuster. 2012. $19.99 ages 3 and up

"That small spill of happiness
went rippling through the house
a dazzle, a jazzle, a shine.
We all knew it was the sound
of joy.
So we laughed out our joy too.
We picked up our jolly baby
and  we passed him around.
Each one of us kissed him,
soft as a butterfly."

I think that you will love this new book by Tony Johnston. She is adept at descriptive language and is able to capture the unending joy of a baby's first laugh. It's a perfect gift to celebrate the birth of a baby.  

That first genuine laugh is reason to celebrate, and this baby's entire family comes to share the event. It is reminiscent of Cynthia Rylant's The Relatives Came (Atheneum, 2001), also illustrated by the inventive Stephen Gammell. Need a reason to smile...share this book!

Tony Johnston adds a note on the dedication page:

"For the Navajo, a child's first laugh has always been a precious moment. They celebrate the event with a First Laugh Ceremony. The baby - with the help of grown-ups - gives  small, sweet gifts to each guest, so that he will become generous; he gives nuggets of rock salt to keep him from being stingy. Then, to bring good luck, the baby is passed from guest to guest."

It is a joyful time for this particular baby, and the family announces a party! The line-up of party guests is long and varied:

"Aunts and uncles and cousins of all ages.
And crinkly grandmas and wrinkly grandpas.
And a throng of neighbors.
And our twinkly great-grandma,
who was old, old, old.
"I CAME TO LAUGH OUT LOUD," she said.
Then she GUFFAWED."

The house fills up, the guests do their best to make the baby laugh 'until the walls of the house throbbed with HAPPINESS.' The baby doesn't pick up on the clues, or the cajoling. The party takes a different turn...to food, and conversation and finally blessed and sated silence.

That's the baby's cue:

"And into that quiet rang a little mirthful sound."

Everyone goes home happy, after gentle kisses that evoke a sweet smile and a promise of renewed laughter...tomorrow!

Stephen Gammell's unmistakable illustrations, done in watercolor, colored pencil and pastels, people the pages with a quirky cast of family, friends and neighbors. They are full of anticipation as they arrive, eager to hear that baby's laugh, and wise to the ways of celebration.