Kwanzaa Book

A brief introduction to the holiday of Kwanzaa.

Claudia Mills - Children's Literature

This succeeds in the task it sets for itself, of providing an introduction to the African-American holiday of Kwanzaa for beginning readers, "Nonfiction Level Two" readers, to be exact, who are ready for "slightly more difficult vocabulary, longer sentences, and longer total text." In twenty-four pages, and fewer than 200 words, readers learn that Kwanzaa was created in 1966 as a "special time for black people to think about their history and beliefs." Lasting for seven days during the final week of December, Kwanzaa features the lighting of candles, symbolic displays of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and corn, sharing from a special cup, a closing feast, and the exchange of gifts. Each page of text is accompanied by a full-color photograph, showing the members of an African-American family in festive African dress, performing the various rituals of Kwanzaa. The book includes an index, bibliography, and guide to Kwanzaa web sites. 2003, Child's World, Ages 6 to 8.