Winter Holiday Books For Kids!

Bessey and her mother bake cookies for Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah, and after cleaning up the kitchen, they distribute the treats to their neighbors.

Like the holiday itself, Seven Days of Kwanzaa celebrates people pulling together to make things better. John Ward's illustrations illuminate a text that honors the richness of African-American culture and traditions--from lighting candles to singing songs to storytelling.

An introduction to the history, purpose, and observance of Kwanzaa.

With succinct, lively text and beautiful photographs, this book celebrates African-American culture and helps us to understand and appreciate this special holiday. Over the course of seven days, families and friends come together to light the candles that symbolize past and future—and African-American unity. We gather as a community to make music and to dance; to feast on harvest foods and the good things of the earth; and to exchange simple, often homemade gifts. Readers are introduced to the symbols of the holiday, such as the mkeka (a special placemat), kinara (candleholder), and kikombe cha umoja (unity cup). Important concepts, like the seven principles, are explained.

Popular author and illustrator Dolores Johnson has fashioned an attractive and easy-to-follow guide to celebrating Kwanzaa, a holiday created in 1966 which celebrates the African American people, their heritage, and culture. Johnson explains what Kwanzaa is, how it came to be, and details its principles and symbols. She includes an extensive craft and recipe section with instructions and diagrams for making everything from the seven symbols, to gifts for family and friends, to a scrumptious meal for the Kwanzaa Karamu. She invites young readers to actively participate in the festivities, and offers guidance and suggestions on how they and their families might create their own special Kwanzaa celebration. A book that children and parents will reach for year after year.

Kwanzaa is a unique African-American holiday celebrated by millions of families every year between December 26 and January 1. The word kwanzaa comes from the African language Swahili, and means "first fruits of the harvest." Since ancient times, in countries all over Africa, families have joined together to celebrate the end of the harvest and the beginning of the new planting season. Today in the United States, families and friends gather together to commemorate the strength of family ties, respect for ancestors, commitment to the growth of the community, and gratitude for life's good. For each day of Kwanzaa, a new candle is lit in the seven-branched kinara, or candleholder. Gathering around it, children and adults share their thoughts, sing songs, tell stories from the past, and dream about the future. On the last day, with seven flames dancing, everyone gathers for a delicious feast of international foods. Then the party begins!

Saint James' clear, accessible introduction to Kwanzaa includes explanations of the Nguzo Saba (the Seven Principles) as well as information about the holiday's origin. . . . Enjoyable as well as handy, the book will be a strong addition to both school and public library collections.

Light the candles on the kinara! Fly the bendera, and tell stories from Africa! The festival of Kwanzaa was originated by Dr. Maulana Karenga to honor the customs and history of African Americans. The seven principles of Kwanzaa, called the Nguzo Saba, serve to remind African Americans of the struggles of the past, and also focus on present-day achievements and goals for the future. The holiday fun continues with activities at the end of the book, including making your own cow-tail switch and baking benne cakes.

-- Introduces young readers to the origins of holidays and how they are celebrated.
-- Describes holidays from many different cultures.

This series meets National Curriculum Standards for: Science: Earth and Space Science, Science in Personal and Social Perspectives. Social Studies: Civic Ideals & Practices, Culture, Global Connections, Power, Authority, & Governance Production, Distribution, & Consumption Science, Technology, & Society

Kevin's family is celebrating the seven days of Kwanzaa! Kevin helps his mom decorate the Kwanzaa table. They light candles with Grandma and Grandpa and learn a special word each day. They talk about working together and solving problems. On the sixth day, everyone eats and dances at a big feast!

Accelerated Reader is a program based on the fact that students become more motivated to read if they are tested on the content of the books they have read and are rewarded for correct answers. Students read each book, individually take the test on the computer, and receive gratification when they score well. Schools using the Accelerated Reader program have seen a significant increase in reading among their students.Globally and locally, teens are confronted with a wide variety of social issues and difficult political realities. These titles are excellent for community service learning and tolerance building.