Review by Booklist Review
Ages 5-9. This beautifully designed, attractive picture book describes the origin and traditions of the seven-day African American holiday of Kwanzaa. In clear, direct language, Pinkney talks about the importance of the harvest, the family togetherness, and the cultural pride that Kwanzaa celebrates. Her descriptions include a day-by-day account of the holiday that embraces the seven principles of Kwanzaa and the rituals recognizing them. Her joyful text is accompanied by equally joyful scratchboard illustrations, set within colorful textilelike borders, depicting a family preparing for and celebrating the holiday. A congenial combination of text and pictures that can be used by older children as well as picture book readers, this is a multiple-copy choice for school and public libraries. ~--Janice Del Negro
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 4--The ideals and customs of Kwanzaa, "first fruits of the harvest," are described and celebrated in this video adaptation of Andrea Pinkney's picture book (Dial, 1993). The iconographic technique effectively recreates Brian Pinkney's richly textured and colorful scratchboard illustrations from the book. Narrator Alfre Woodard paces the text beautifully, and the accompanying musical background creates a festive yet thoughtful mood in keeping with the principles upon which this African-American celebration is based. The seven Kwanzaa beliefs are described, and the African words designating each belief are shown as the narrator pronounces them. A brief history of Kwanzaa's origin is included along with a description of the items which are a part of every Kwanzaa celebration. The video captures the same respectful tone and celebratory spirit as Pinkney's book. Children whose families celebrate Kwanzaa as well as those who are not familiar with this festival will find this to be an enjoyable look at this tradition. An attractive, informative addition to multicultural video collections for school and public libraries.Nancy L. Chu, Western Illinois University, Macomb(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
In this stunning collaboration, the reader observes a family's daily ritual as they light each of the candles in the 'kinara' during the week of Kwanzaa. A concise text gives a simple explanation of the seven principles and suggests practical applications. Attractive scratchboard illustrations complement the text, and border motifs of African designs frame each page. A work to be shared. Bib. From HORN BOOK 1993, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
An introduction to the history, symbols, and customary celebration of this African-American holiday. Scratchboard illustrations stress the importance of Kwanzaa as a family event with warmly colored, harmoniously composed domestic scenes. Cultural cross-connections are drawn in the first two pictures (an American family exchanges gifts, including a length of kente cloth; then identically posed figures are transposed to a traditional African village) and enhanced by borders in African motifs. The author briefly discusses the Seven Principles, suggesting activities for Kwanzaa and through the year. Similar in information to Chocolate's Kwanzaa (1990) and My First Kwanzaa Book (1992), but the visual riches and less didactic tone here are superior. Useful four-item reading list. (Nonfiction/Picture book. 7-9)
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