Welcoming Babies

by Margy Burns Knight, Anne Sibley O'Brien (Illustrator)

Welcoming Babies shows the diverse ways we treasure new life around the world―the routines and rituals of a child’s first year. As we read about babies from tiny Luke, who is spending his first days of life in an incubator, to Kasa, who is being introduced to the sunrise by her grandmother, we realize that there are many different―and yet strikingly similar―ways to welcome babies.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens

Paperback

First published June 1, 2003

Reviews

[Barbara]

In the second edition of this popular book, readers encounter all sorts of babies and the cultural rituals that welcome them to the world. Thus, some babies are greeted with songs, kisses, touches, blessings, naming ceremonies, greetings, promises, and gifts. The back matter provides additional information about these various welcoming traditions, connecting them to rich cultural and familial traditions. No matter where those babies are from, it's clear that all babies should be treasured. After all, they're only young once. This is an adorable book, perfect for new parents but also for youngsters who might enjoy looking back at how their family members celebrated their arrival. The illustrations feature soft colors and a wide array of children and cultures, packing in quite a lot for such a sort book.

[Kris]

Very sweet story about the different ways babies are welcomed throughout the world.

[Lynn Plourde]

WELCOMING BABIES is simple and complex all at once--as are babies! The repetitive format for each scene . . . We Kiss . . . We Touch . . . We Announce . . . We Celebrate weaves the narrative together. Each two-page spread shows and tells about a baby custom from a different culture. More info about each custom is included in the back matter. This book was DIVERSE before the "We Need Diverse" book movement ever began. A perfect "birth" gift, but I heard it was out of print--if so, time to bring it back!

[Esutterlin]

Warmly welcoming babies varies in cultures all over the world-- this book uses warm, fuzzy illustrations to show a sampler of ways people sing, kiss, touch, bless, name, greet, promise, announce, hold, celebrate, honor, play with, and give gifts to newborns as we treasure new arrivals.

[Sarah]

About welcoming new babies around the world.

[Bethany Nolan]

Delightful book details how various cultures welcome babies, including singing, blessing, naming and honoring them with gifts.

[Brenna]

This is a good look at different new baby traditions in different cultures.

[Buxmont Uu]

CC 15

[Bea]

Sweet, with a nice assortment of ways to welcome a new baby.

[Maeve]

An introduction to the many customs different groups of people do to celebrate newborn babies.