If you’ve been here for a bit, you’ll know that our family values learning. We don’t celebrate Kwanzaa, and we wanted to learn about it. We got these excellent books that introduced us to the history and customs of the holiday. Both of my kids loved learning about this holiday, and my hope is that they learn to ask questions and learn from those around them.
My kid’s second grade class read Seven Spools of Thread: a Kwanzaa Story by Angela Shelf Medearis and illustrated by Daniel Minter before winter break began. When I brought it home from the library she was thrilled to read it again. The first page give a brief introduction to the history and meaning of Kwanzaa. Then Medearis turns to a story of seven brothers who argue all day and night. When their father passes away, the only way for them to get their inheritance is to turn seven spools of thread into gold. To do this they must work together without arguing. In their task they demonstrate all seven principles of Kwanzaa. My younger kid really liked the folktale feel of the story, and my older kid was challenged to identify the pieces of the story that illustrates each principle.
Karen Katz’s lift-the-flap books were awesome for my kids when they were babies, so I was thrilled to see she had written My First Kwanzaa. The book shows a young kid setting up the kinara, kikombe, and muhindi with mazao and then how the family celebrates each day of Kwanzaa. It’s a great introduction to the holiday for young kids who won’t comprehend the deeper meaning or history of the holiday. Of course we adore the illustrations which are true to Katz’s style- beautiful images of a happy family together.
I was really drawn to Deborah M Newton Chocolate’s narrative style in My First Kwanzaa Book and to Cal Massey’s illustrative style. Though it was published in 1992 and feels a tiny bit dated, my kids love reading the steps that the kid and Daddy take when Mama says, “It’s Kwanzaa time.” The descriptions of the preparations- food! music! decor! gatherings!- are simple and the images really bring them to life. The lower right corner of the pages also shows the kinara with the candles lit and the date and principle for that day of the Kwanzaa celebration.
The Gifts of Kwanzaa by Synthia Saint James absolutely has my favorite images of this stack. Similar to the other books, this one starts with a brief description of the history and symbols of Kwanzaa and then uses the narrative of one kid to describe how they prepare for and celebrate Kwanzaa. It’s just right for both of my kids- my older kid can read it herself, and my younger kid can connect to the simple language. Have I said how much we love the images here? Stunning!