The Sound Of Kwanzaa by Dimitrea Tokunbo
Ages 4-8
Scholastic Press (October 1, 2009)
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
The words and colors dance off of the pages in this book that celebrates Kwanzaa. Each page begins with the same refrain: “Come closer, gather ’round. Listen to the sound of Kwanzaa…” The rich illustrations by Lisa Cohen are the perfect accompaniment to the seven guiding principles of Kwanzaa.

The author’s note is particularly interesting. Dimitrea Tokunbo tells of the day his father took him to Harlem and he met Dr. Maulana Karenga who he credits with bringing this Africa American celebration in 1966.

This book is an excellent tool to teach young children about this joyous holiday, rich with culture and tradition.

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Let There Be Peace on Earth: And Let It Begin with Me by Jill Jackson and Sy Miller
Tricycle Press - September 2009
All ages
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
It’s hard to believe that this lovely song about peace all started at a high school retreat in 1955 and has since spread throughout the world as an anthem for peace, love and understanding. Brilliantly and beautifully illustrated, this is a perfect introduction to the concept of peace for young children or a reminder to ourselves how important peace is. This book comes with a 12-song CD with the title’s classic song.

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God’s Dream by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Illustrated by LeUyen Pham

Candlewick Press, 2008

Recommended readers:  ages 3-6

Cautions:  all clear

Kiwi Magazine Review

What does God dream about?  God dreams about people sharing, people caring and reaching out to hold one another’s hands.  This book isn’t specific to one holiday or one religion, but it would make a lovely gift to young and old to remind us all that everyone is equal, everyone is special and we should savor the time we spend with our brothers and sisters, discovering the similarities and enjoying the differences. LeUyen Pham’s childlike illustrations perfectly accompany the text.

Publisher’s Description:

With warmth and humor, Archbishop Desmond Tutu distills his philosophy of unity and forgiveness into a picture book for the very young.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu has a vision of God’s dream, which he shares here with the youngest of listeners. It involves people who reach out and hold each other’s hands, but sometimes get angry and hurt each other — and say they’re sorry and forgive. It’s a wish that everyone will see they are brothers and sisters, no matter their way of speaking to God, no matter the size of their nose or the shade of their skin. Aided by vibrant artwork evoking such images as a rainbow and a sharing circle, Tutu offers the essence of his ubuntu philosophy, a wisdom so clear and crystalline that even the smallest child can understand.

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Celebrate Green by Corey Colwell- Lipson and Lynn Colwell

Kedzie Press, 2008

Recommended readers- Adults

Cautions:

Publisher’s description:

Not only is this book bursting with tips and ideas for celebrating green, but it boasts recipes, craft projects, and actual facts! Yes! If you’re interested in the “why’s” behind their alternatives, you’ll find them. If you only want to figure out what the heck to get your mother-in-law for Christmas that will make her sing your praises to her son without costing you or the planet, it’s there too.

Celebrate Green! is sprinkled with personal anecdotes because, as amazing as it may seem, Corey and Lynn are real, live human beings. You get to meet, know and (hopefully) enjoy them through the book. And once you know them, you’ll begin to fall for their ideas even if you’re a bit skeptical at first. They don’t hit you over the head and make you feel like a complete eco-idiot for not jumping on your bicycle, and heading to the food co-op to stock up on a year’s worth of beeswax birthday candles. They simply offer you so many sensible, interesting, and creative ideas that you’ll find it hard to resist trying some of them.

KIWI Bookworm review:

The mother and daughter team offer a myriad of suggestions to green holiday décor, gifts and meals throughout the year. Instead of falling into old habits of mall dash then trash, the authors offer unique, low-impact ideas for every special occasion wrapped up in recycled paper and a repurposed bow.

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All New Crafts for Kwanzaa by Kathy Ross, Sharon Lane Holm (Illustrator)

Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group, 2006

Age Range: 4 to 8

Cautions: none

Description from publisher:

Provides instructions for how to create more than twenty-two crafts related to Kwanzaa including a woven mat no-fire Kwanzaa candles and beaded jewelry.

Kiwi Magazine Review

There are 22 fun and simple crafts which celebrate Kwanzaa.  The book relates each craft to the aspects of the holiday so kids can learn about the significance of the lighting of the Kwanzaa candles or the mkeka mat.

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Scholastic’s Night Before Christmas DVD w Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and other stories, too!

Recommended for everyone

Cautions: None

Product Description
Collect the entire library of Scholastic Storybook Treasures and read along on screen with your favorite classic children s stories, brought vividly to life on DVD.

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS (By Clement Clark Moore, Illustrated by Ruth Sanderson, Narrated by Anthony Edwards) The stockings are hung by the chimney with care, and soon St. Nicholas will be there.

IN THE MONTH OF KISLEY (By Nina Jaffe, Illustratred by Louise August, Narrated by Theodore Bikel) A wealthy, arrogant merchant learns the true meaning of Hanukkah when he takes the family of a poor peddler to court for savoring the smell of his family’s potato pancakes.

SEVEN CANDLES FOR KWANZAA (By Andrea Davis Pinkney, Illustrated by Brian Pinkney, Narrated by Alfre Woodard) This unique holiday commemorates the strength of family ties, respect for ancestors, commitment to the growth of community, and gratitude for life’s bounties.

TOO MANY TAMALES (By Gary Soto, Illustrated by Ed Martinez, Narrated by Blancha Camacho) Maria feels very grown-up helping make Christmas dinner, until she realizes that she may have lost her mother s ring in one of the tamales!

3 BONUS STORIES!
MAX S CHRISTMAS (Written and Illustrated by Rosemary Wells, Narrated by Jenny Agutter & Rex Robbins) Max is told that he can’t stay up to see Santa, but he sneaks down anyway. Will Santa still come if Max is awake?

MORRIS S DISAPPEARING BAG (Written and Illustrated by Rosemary Wells) Morris thinks his brother and sisters have better Christmas presents. But inside the last box under the tree he finds a magical gift that makes all his troubles disappear.

THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY (By Katherine Davis, Henry Oronati & Harry Simeone, Illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats, Narrated by John Jennings) Joyful drumming and glowing illustrations combine to celebrate the nativity.

DVD Features: Spanish Version of Too Many Tamales

Kiwi Magazine Review

Thank you, Scholastic, for making a DVD that is truly for everyone.  No matter what your belief, there is something for everyone on this DVD from Christmas with Santa, to Kwanzaa, to Hanukkah, to Drummer Boy (the story of the Nativity).  There are 7 stories in this DVD and each one is special and incredibly well done.  An instant favorite.

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Seven Days Of Kwanzaa (Paperback) by Melrose Cooper (Author)

Recommended:  Ages 4-8

Cartwheel Books, 2007

Cautions:  None

Product Description
On the fifth day of Kwanzaa, my people gave to me 

Five festive friends! 

Four spending dollars, 

Red, green, and black, 

Two drums-a-drumming, 

And a promise for unity. 

Sing in celebration of Kwanzaa with this cheerful holiday rhyme. This creative spin on a familiar Christmas song features rhyming text, and lively artwork from illustrator Jeremy Tugeau. 

Kiwi Magazine Review

Borrowing the tune doesn’t diminish the simple and important messages of Kwanzaa.

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