A simple way to get acquainted with Kwanzaa
"Hooray! Hooray!
It's time to get ready for Kwanzaa."
During the seven days of Kwanzaa we celebrate the importance of family, friends, and community. This warm and lively introduction to a very special holiday will help even the youngest children join in!
Author and illustrator Karen Katz kicks off a wonderful new series of picture books for the very young with My First Kwanzaa. The series will offer a simple and fun way to get familiar with the traditions of holiday celebrations from different cultures.
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2-A round-faced, happy little girl tells about her family's Kwanzaa celebration. The simple text and colorful folkloric illustrations with vivid patterns make this a good book to share with young children. Adults will appreciate the brief note about the holiday and the phonetic spelling of the Swahili words. Juwanda G. Ford's K Is for Kwanzaa: A Kwanzaa Alphabet Book (Scholastic, 1997) has a similar appeal, but the narrative format of Katz's title makes it more appropriate for storytimes.-V. W.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
PreS. With bright, clear collage illustrations that focus on one young preschooler and her extended family and friends, this small picture book introduces the Kwanzaa holiday. A double-page spread for each of the seven days of the holiday shows and tells the Seven Principles, from Working Together and Creativity to Faith and Purpose. Africa is mentioned a lot (though not specific countries or nations), and a final note explains that the name Kwanzaa comes from a Swahili word for "first fruits." A useful pronunciation guide is included, as are clear explanations of the candles, gifts, crafts, fruits, and vegetables that are part of the celebration. The specifics, the simple words, and the active pictures combine to convey the wider sense of community that is the essence of the holiday. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
"The perfect introduction to Kwanza for the younger set." --Black Issues Book Review
"The specifics, the simple words, and the active pictures combine to convey the wider sense of community that is the essence of the holiday." --Booklist
"A solid, sweet, and meaty choice for holiday reading." --Kirkus Reviews
"The simple text and colorful folkloric illustrations with vivid patterns make this a good book to share with young children." --School Library Journal
About the Author
Karen Katz has written and illustrated many books for children, including The Colors of Us, Can You Say Peace, My First Ramadan, Counting Kisses and Where is Baby’s Belly Button. Long inspired by folk art from around the world, she was inspired to write her first book, Over the Moon, when she and her husband adopted their daughter from Guatemala, and she wanted to tell the story of welcoming Lena into their lives. Katz loves to paint and experiment with texture, color, collage and pattern. Besides an author and illustrator, she has been a costume designer, quilt maker, fabric artist and graphic designer. Katz and her family divide their time between New York City and Saugerties, New York.
