in all societies throughout history people have celebrated the three great milestones in life - birth, marriage and death - with a ceremony. Whether the birth of a child today is marked by a traditional religious service, by one of the increasingly popular naming ceremonies which local authorities now offer or a by a simple gathering of friends and relatives, a carefully chosen poem can greatly enhance this joyful occasion. in her new collection, actress Julia Watson has brought together over ninety suitable poems and readings to mark the arrival of a new baby, and in a useful appendix she suggests some wording and the structure for a civil naming ceremony.