Traditionally the birth of a child has been marked by some form of religious 'welcoming' service and whilst many people still take this option, in our increasingly secular society, there has been a wish by many parents to celebrate the birth of their offspring with some other formal occasion.

Local authorities in the UK now offer civil naming ceremonies in the same way they offer civil marriage ceremonies. And though only introduced in 2002, this scheme is fast growing in popularity.

This third anthology in Julia Watson's series of poems and readings for both secular and religious ceremonies fills a real gap in the market.