Review by Booklist Review
A simple, direct narrative describes the lighting of the Kwanzaa candles, the principle each represents, and how families carry out that concept with a focus on words and sounds. The principle Ujamaa, or cooperative economics, for example, is depicted as Laughing shoppers and chanting merchants, we support our neighborhoods. Back matter includes an author's note, a pronunciation guide, and a recipe for No-Cook Kwanzaa Brownie Bites. With an effective use of shape, silhouette, and bold color, the flat, posterlike illustrations are ideal for group presentation. Pair this with Juwanda G. Ford's K Is for Kwanzaa: A Kwanzaa Alphabet Book (1997) and Karen Katz's My First Kwanzaa (2003) for preschool and primary-grade Kwanzaa celebrations.--Perkins, Linda Copyright 2009 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 3-While this book serves as an easy introduction to the holiday, it fails to convey a celebratory tone. The Swahili words that comprise the seven guiding principles of Kwanzaa are defined on each spread, but the pronunciation guide appears in an author's note at the back. The boldly colored illustrations showing various people and activities don't always match the text. For example, "Beating drums and singing voices,/ we perform for KUUMBA" shows a lone figure quietly painting. Likewise, ceremonial candles are mentioned on each page but not shown until the end. In a note, Tokunbo describes a karamu or traditional feast on the last day of Kwanzaa and includes a recipe for No-Cook Brownie Bites made from dates. An uneven offering that falls rather flat.-Madeline J. Bryant, Los Angeles Public Library (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 Kirkus Book Review
"Come close, gather 'round. / Listen to the sound of Kwanzaa." These words and the lighting of a candle mark each night of Kwanzaa. Tokunbo explains the seven principles in simple, concise language that even the youngest readers will understand. Many books on the subject focus on the actions and meanings of the principles, while this one uses the results of the action, which creates a story rather than prosaic factual text. What will you hear on each night? Loving words, ancient stories, sweeping brooms, laughing shoppers, sharing dreams, singing voices and thankful prayers bring readers into the celebration. Cohen's equally simple illustrations complement the text, the deep, vibrant colors reflecting the festive and reflective atmosphere of the celebration. (author's note, recipe, bibliography) (Picture book. 4-9) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
