Below you will find a collection of children’s books focused on the subject of Kwanzaa. Any of these books would serve as a great start to explaining Kwanzaa to to the youth to give them a better understanding of the holiday, its symbols and purpose. I put together this list after receiving numerous emails about how to introduce children to this holiday. Hopefully it will assist our Black Art Depot community and all other interested parties in sharing the joys of Kwanzaa with their children, their family and friend’s children and any other young person interested in learning more about this incredible holiday that we call Kwanzaa!

If you have any other book recommendations please feel free to comment below and share it with us!

Kwanzaa Books for Children

Book Cover	Title	Author	Price	Buy Now
	My First Kwanzaa	Karen Katz	$10.17
A simple way to get acquainted with Kwanzaa. This book contains a warm and lively introduction to a very special holiday will help even the youngest children join in! Author and illustrator Karen Katz kicks off a wonderful new series of picture books for the very young with My First Kwanzaa. The series will offer a simple and fun way to get familiar with the traditions of holiday celebrations from different cultures.
	Seven Spools of Thread	Angela Medearis	$6.99
In an African village live seven brothers who make life miserable with their constant fighting. When their father dies, he leaves an unusual will: by sundown, the brothers must make gold out of seven spools of thread or they will be turned out as beggars.
	Kwanzaa	Trudi Trueit	$15.99
Following the well-known and much-loved Rookie Books format, these fun and informative books introduce early elementary-school children to the basic facts about major holidays. Each book explains the development of the holiday and how it is celebrated today, and includes holiday games, traditions, crafts, and foods.
	Together for Kwanzaa	Juwanda Ford	$3.99
Kwanzaa is Kayla’s favorite time of year. But this year, it looks as if a heavy snowstorm will keep her big brother, Khari, from getting home in time for the festivities! Will Khari miss the celebration completely? Or will Kayla and her brother somehow find a way to be together for Kwanzaa? A perfect introduction to Kwanzaa, this book will teach children all about the traditions and practices that make it a special winter holiday.
	Lil’ Rabbits	Donna Washington	$10.39
Li’l Rabbit is not having a very good Kwanzaa. Granna Rabbit is sick, and so his family won’t celebrate his favorite part of Kwanzaa this year: a big feast called Karamu. Li’l Rabbit knows what to do! He’ll find Granna Rabbit a special treat for Karamu so she can celebrate anyway. He looks under a pile of logs, in the field, and in the pond and along the way meets Groundhog, Momma Field Mouse, and the frogs—but he doesn’t find anything for Granna Rabbit. Maybe I’m just too little to help Granna Rabbit celebrate Kwanzaa, Li’l Rabbit thinks. Or maybe he just needs a little help from his family and friends. Inspired by Brer Rabbit, a trickster character from the African-American folklore tradition, the story of Li’l Rabbit captures the true meaning of Kwanzaa—coming together to help others.
	My First Kwanzaa Book	Deborah Chocolate	$6.99
During the last week of December, Kwanzaa is a time to dress up in African clothes and gather together with relatives from all over the country. Grandma brings special things to eat, Grandpa lights the candles, and everyone in the family celebrates their heritage.
	Seven Days of Kwanzaa	Angela Medearis	$13.99
Celebrate the culture, heritage, family, and tradition of Kwanzaa through this beautiful variation of a popular holiday song. 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.
	The Children’s Book of Kwanzaa	Dolores Johnson	$12.09
Each year on December 26, the African American holiday of Kwanzaa begins. What is the purpose of Kwanzaa? How did it get its start? Dolores Johnson’s easy-to-follow guide gives detailed descriptions of Kwanzaa’s principles and symbols. This comprehensive resource also includes recipes and craft and gift ideas, as well as suggestions to help young readers and their families create their own special Kwanzaa celebration.
	The Sound of Kwanzaa	Dimitrea Tokubo	$14.42
Hear the words, sing the songs, dance to the beat, and shout “Harambee!” as you jump into this joyful celebration of the sounds of Kwanzaa! The sound is Umoja–bringing us together. The sound is Kuumba–the songs of our ancestors. The sound is Kwanzaa! Lively verse and colorful illustrations guide you through the seven principles of this festive holiday. All you have to do is come close, gather round, and discover what Kwanzaa is all about!

Visit our: Kwanzaa Gifts and Collectibles

Related Posts:

1. New Kwanzaa Poster Now Available!
2. Kwanzaa Art Prints & Poster: The Nguzo Saba
3. 7 Facts About Dr. Maulana Karenga, Founder of Kwanzaa

1. Dr. Maulana Karenga was born Ronald McKinley Everett on a poultry farm in Parsonsburg, Maryland on July 14, 1941. He was the seventh son and fourteenth child of a baptist minister. Ronald Everette would eventally change his name 20 years later to Maulana Karenga which translates as “Master Teacher”.

2. Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa in 1966. His goal was to create the first African American holiday and in his own words:

“give Blacks an alternative to the existing holiday and give Blacks an opportunity to celebrate themselves and history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society”

The name Kwanzaa comes from a phrase of Swahili origin, “Matunda Ya Kwanza”, and translates as “First Fruits of the Harvest”. The holiday is actually based on African agricultural rites and communal activities. One of the holiday’s main goals is to cause those of African descent to look back to their cultural roots as a source of celebration.

3. Dr. Karenga has served on the Executive Committees of several Conferences, Events and Organizations dedicated to uplifting and educating African Americans. These include the the Black Leadership Retreat, Black Power Conferences of the 60′s, the National Black United Front, the National Association of Kawaida Organizations (NAKO), the National African American Leadership Summit, and the Million Man March/Day of Absence. He also authored the Million Man March’s mission statement and served from 1989 to 2002 as the Chairman of the Africana studies Department at California State University, Long Beach.

Young Dr. Maulana Karenga

4. Maulana Karenga has been awarded two Doctorate degrees and one Honorary Doctorate degree. His first PH.D. in Political Science was awarded by Alliant International University in 1976 for a 170 page dissertation entitled Afro-American Nationalism: Social Strategy and Struggle for Community and his second PH.D in Social Ethicas was awarded by the University of Southern California in 1994 for an 803 page dissertation entitled “Maat, the Moral Ideal in Ancient Egypt: A Study in Classical African Ethics”. His Honorary Doctorate was received from the University of Durban in South Africa.

5. In 1965, Maulana Karenga and Malcom X’s cousin Hakim Jamal founded the Black Nationalist organization entitled US, as in “Us and Them”. This organization was committed to the cause of Black cultural unity. Eventually, due to a difference in vision for the organization, Hakim Jamal went on to found the Malcolm X Foundation, based primarily on the teachings and ideology of Malcolm X while Maulana Karenga continued to root US primarily in Pan-Africanism, African culture and African teachings.

Dr. Maulana Karenga and his wife, Tiamoro Karenga

6. Dr. Karenga has authored/published many books and articles during his lifetime including Introduction to Black Studies, which is currently in its fourth edition, Book of Coming Forth By Day, The Million Man March/Day of Absence: A Commemorative Anthology, Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture, Maat, The Moral Ideal in Ancient Egypt, Kawaida and Questions of Life and Struggle, Handbook of Black Studies, Odu Ifa: The Ethical Teachings, Selections from the Husia: Sacred Wisdom of Ancient Egypt, and Maulana Karenga: An Intellectual Portrait.

7. Karenga has received numerous awards for his tireless work and commitment including the C.L.R. James Award for Outstanding Publication of Scholarly Works that Advance the Discipline of Africana and Black Studies, the National Leadership Award for Outstanding Scholarly Achievements in Black Studies from the National Council for Black Studies, the President’s Award for Scholarship and Service in the Development of Black Studies, the Diop Exemplary Leadership Award from the Department of African American Studies at Temple University, the Richard Allen Living Legend Award from the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Pioneer Award from the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and Citizenship Education Fund.

Visit our: Kwanzaa Gifts and Collectibles

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Kwanzaa
Julian Madyun

The new version of our Kwanzaa Poster. Use it to educate, inspire and to teach your family and friends about Kwanzaa and it’s seven principles!

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Title: The Nguzo Saba (The Seven Pricinciples of Kwanzaa)
Artist: Julian Madyun
Edition: Poster
Size: 11×17 inches
Price: 7.50

Available only on the blog!

Today’s featured new release is our first Kwanzaa Poster.  Entitled “The Nguzo Saba” or “The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa”, this poster is a great tool to use to teach others in your home, office or church about Kwanzaa and it’s seven principles.  It shows and explains each principle in a clear, concise and visual fashion at a very affordable price.  It is currently only available for sale on our blog.

View our other Kwanzaa Gifts & Collectibles!

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