Review by Booklist Review
Poignantly tying African American history to the seven principles of Kwanzaa, Zoboi's picture-book debut is a beautifully rendered exploration of the holiday. In lyrical verses with a smoothly rolling, sonorous quality, Zoboi moves through centuries, beginning in West Africa and the onset of the transatlantic slave trade and continuing through key moments in U.S. history (emancipation, the Great Migration, the civil rights movement) and highlighting cultural touchstones (soul music, hip-hop, poets and authors) on the way to the election of Barack Obama and continuing calls for justice today. Throughout, Zoboi artfully groups these moments together to illustrate each of the seven pillars, explaining both the symbolism of the holiday and its importance to the culture. Wise's warm, full-bleed artwork in saturated, splashy colors incorporates majestic portraits, meaningful design elements, and superb compositions to accompany Zoboi's verses, and even though they don't avoid the painful realities of Black history in the U.S., the overall tone is one of strength, power, and joy. Zoboi's poem is a master class in conciseness, expertly evoking powerful images, concepts, and emotions out of just a handful of words, particularly when paired with Wise's exultant art, and the robust back matter offers even more context and nuance. A must-have for holiday collections, but let its light shine throughout the rest of the year, too.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In her picture book debut, Zoboi employs magnetic, allusive free verse to describe the course of history as experienced by members of the African diaspora and enslaved African peoples. Simultaneously, the title demonstrates the seven principles of Kwanzaa, the seven-day African American holiday observance running from Christmas Day to New Year's, through historical moments and movements and great Black literary voices, such as the beginnings of Motown music, the civil rights movement, and the work of Alice Walker, respectively. Zoboi's lyrical verse ("While telling stories under the star-speckled sky/ about memories of the ancestors/ watching from way up high") is further strengthened by Wise's eye-catching digital illustrations, composed of lushly colored images realistic and fantastical, historical and contemporary, and painted with spectacular vibrance to portray the experience of African and African American people throughout time. A rich resource ideal for Kwanzaa and beyond. Back matter includes an author's note, glossary, detailed timeline, and further reading resources. Ages 4--8. (Sept.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 3--A primer on the principles of Kwanzaa and an examination of the tenacious spirit of the formerly enslaved African people. Stolen African people from different cultures were forced to build uncommon bonds to survive the transatlantic slave trade. That they survived being separated from their land, culture, and personhood was nothing short of a miracle. Zoboi's gorgeous prose illuminates all of the ways Black people attempted to reclaim their rights as American citizens. They were often thwarted by a corrupt system bent on consuming African culture without respecting the people who created it. Zoboi creates a colorful time line that covers the horrors of lynching, the great migration, white uprisings, hip hop music, and the Black Lives Matter movement. Along the way, the seven principles of Kwanzaa, or Nguzo Saba, which were first introduced in 1966, are celebrated. Wise's illustrations highlight the beauty of African American culture. Their color palette takes readers on an emotional journey that is also a brilliant blend of poetry, African, and African American history. Zoboi skillfully weaves together the narratives of enslaved Africans into a wonderful tapestry that is honest and beautiful. VERDICT Perfect for school and public libraries, this must-have offering celebrates African American cultural identity should be included in all collections.--Desiree Thomas, Worthington Lib., OH
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Review by Horn Book Review
Through art and words, with the framework of the seven principles of Kwanzaa, Zoboi (American Street, rev. 3/17; Black Enough, rev. 1/19) and Wise beautifully "sew together a tapestry of / their stories / one fine quilt / a blanket for the children / to keep them warm, protected, and safe." Each brightly colored spread tells of important moments and people in African American history. Author and illustrator first bring readers back to Africa and remind them that before there was Africa and African Americans, there were the Fulani, the Hausa, the Ashanti, and the Akan, who lived in Mali, Kongo, and Songhai. As they move along, readers are reminded of the Middle Passage, enslavement, the Civil War, and the Great Migration. Despite the hardships and struggles, the people remember their Kuumba (creativity), Imani (faith), Nia (purpose), Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), and Ujamaa (cooperative economics) to survive and thrive. Wise's sumptuous digital illustrations are reminiscent of the patches created by African American quilters to remind future generations of their past. The bright colors reflect the hope and optimism that African Americans have carried with them. Along with history, readers are introduced to the principles of Kwanzaa in an informative and heartfelt appended author's note and timeline. Nicholl Denice Montgomery November/December 2021 p.145(c) Copyright 2021. 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
A lyrical history of African American life that also explicates the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Opening with Africans from many ethnic groups being ripped from their homelands in the midst of births, deaths, storytelling, and other daily occurrences, this immaculately illustrated picture book walks through a vast swath of history. This includes the Atlantic slave trade, the plight and escape of enslaved people, emancipation, northern migration, faith journeys, and more, ending with the Movement for Black Lives. Zoboi's lyrical free verse, with occasional subtle rhymes, always speaks boldly about the lives, trials, and successes of African American people. The refrain the people remember emphasizes how memories are passed down from one generation to the next, be they positive or otherwise. Figures like Mami Wata center Africa and the African diaspora--necessary for explaining the Kwanzaa principles within the narrative. Wise's humans, somewhat reminiscent of Jacob Lawrence's, feel big and expansive in proportion to their surroundings, representing the outsized impact African Americans have had on United States history and culture, whether acknowledged or not. Rich, deeply saturated illustrations cover every page and show how integral African Americans have been to the creation and growth of the arts. Extensive backmatter will ground readers in the facts and spark interest for further research. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Zoboi's poetic retrospective breathes life into Black history narratives and reverently celebrates Black lives. (author's note, timeline, further reading) (Picture book. 7-adult) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
