Kwanzaa Books, Videos, & Music

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"Kwanzaa: A Time For Change" 
Kids enjoy performing positive upbeat plays from ...
Positive African American Plays for Children
by Britt Ekland Miller, Jeffery Bradley

This play helps everyone understand the true meaning of celebrating the wonderful African American cultural holiday - the spiritual, festive, and joyous celebration of oneness and goodness with all families.   Suitable for children of all ages, you can produce this play at schools, back yards, churches, boys and girls clubs, or any place children gather.  Recommended Age Group: 8 - 12  Includes Bonus: "How To Celebrate Kwanzaa" 

Practicing Kwanzaa Year Round
Gwynelle

Kwanzaa, founded by African American activists in the early '70s, is observed by more than 17 million people worldwide. The seven-day celebration (December 26 through January 1) is a time to honor traditional Farina values of family, community and cultural heritage. Kwanzaa is structured around the Seven Principles-unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith-and can be a time of reflection and dedication to moral and spiritual goals.

Yet the real value of the Seven Principles is (Nguzo Saba) of Kwanzaa lies in their potential for guiding and uplifting our actions and decisions on a daily basis. This book features activities designed to put each principle into practice in a meaningful way. The activities in this book are a sample of things that have worked with audiences from preschoolers to seniors, who have all been captivated by the vitality and sincerity of this cultural holiday.
 

Kwanzaa
by Maulana Karenga
Gr 6 Up--The complete Kwanzaa book that educators and parents have been waiting for has arrived. Written by the creator of the holiday, this book presents the continental African and African-American origins of the celebration, a chapter on each of the Seven Principles, explanations of the meaning of related symbols, suggested activities, and a wrap-up section in which Karenga answers frequently asked questions. The beginning chapter provides a concise overview of the holiday, with subsequent chapters providing in-depth information on the "first-fruits" or harvest festivals that provided the basis for Kwanzaa. The attractive layout features plenty of white space with text blocks broken up by both full-color and black-and-white photographs (from the author's very first Kwanzaa celebration) and illustrations. This book belongs in every library, both as a reference book and for general circulation. A chapter on Swahili terminology and Kwanzaa greetings is included and a bibliography provides extensive references for those interested in further research.

The Complete Kwanzaa
by Dorothy Winbush Riley
The Complete Kwanzaa is a welcome guide to the cultural foundations of this holiday. It provides comprehensive information on all of its ceremonies, foods, clothing and gift-giving traditions and includes instructions on how to hold a Karamu feast. Folktales, proverbs and stories about successful African-Americans who embody the spirit of the holiday are also included to inspire and instruct the reader. With more facts and wisdom than any other book on the subject, The Complete Kwanzaa is the perfect resource for those who already celebrate Kwanzaa, and those who would like to learn how.
 

Nguzo Saba and the Festival of First Fruits:
A Guide for Promoting Family and Community Values and the ...
James W. Johnson, F. Frances Johnson, Paperback - Paperback, Gumbs & Thomas Publishers Inc.

 

 

 

Kwanzaa: A Progressive and Uplifting African American Holiday
Haki R. Madhubuti;

A KWANZAA KEEPSAKE:
CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAY WITH NEW TRADITIONS AND FEASTS
by Jessica Harris (Paperback)
Avg. Customer Rating:
A comprehensive guidebook on this African and African American feast. Prefaced by a history of the seven principles of Kwanzaa, the text comments on practical ways to enhance each phase of the celebration and offers concrete descriptions of rituals associated with each one. Also, a project that families can complete together is presented for each night. This is an excellent companion to Eric Copage's Kwanzaa (Morrow, 1991), which provides more recipes and some culture. This volume has more culture and some recipes. The two together reap the richness of this reflective feast.?

The Story of Kwanzaa
by Safisha Madhubuti, Murry N. Depillars

The Story of Kwanzaa is a primary level reader offering a good, visual introduction to the origin and tradition of Kwanzaa. It should be used both to teach and reinforce academic skills as well as to introduce and reinforce basic cultural enrichment objectives.

 

Kwanzaa New Testament:
Contemporary English Version
Manufactured by American Bible Society
 

 

 

Kwanzaa Crafts:
Gifts and Decorations for a Meaningful and Festive Celebration
Marcia Odle McNair;

A Kwanzaa Celebration:
Festive Recipes and Homemade Gifts from an African-American Kitchen
Angela Shelf Medearis;
Because Kwanzaa, the celebration of African American heritage and culture, was established as recently as 1966, it is still in some ways an evolving holiday, and these two books provide a variety of different ways of marking the weeklong (December 26-January 1) festivities. Harris, the well-known author of The Welcome Table (LJ 12/94), includes menus for each night of the holiday, along with texts to be read, biographies of honored ancestors, ideas for homemade gifts, and a special project for each night. For example, on the third night, with its theme of collective responsibility, the project is to help fight against hunger, and Harris proposes a potluck supper to which each guest can bring an extra dish for a homeless shelter or other beneficiary. Medearis offers recipes organized by course, along with separate chapters on cooking for company and bringing gifts from the kitchen. She begins with a step-by-step guide to the holiday, and succeeding chapters describe the different nights of celebration. Quotations from important African Americans serve as headnotes for many of the recipes; it's a bit disconcerting, however, to see a statement about struggle by Frederick Douglass attached to Medearis's recipe for Cheese Steaks. With its readable, informative text and thoughtful menus, ...
 

Libation for Our Ancestors:
A Family and Communal Activity at Kwanzaa
Tarik Karenga;
"The libation for our ancestor tapes not only give invaluable information on how to perform the libation ceremony - by giving the history and celebratory music, you've enabled families to honor their traditions and ancestors in a way that becomes exquisitely experiential. Bravo Tarik! I Honor You!!!!"

About the Author
Tarik Karenga son of Dr. Maulana Karenga who is the creator of the African American holiday of Kwanzaa is a professional speaker, author and entrepreneur. He works with schools, corporations and associations in the usa who want to prepare their people for the new millennium with more than just hope and confidence, but vision!
 

On The Shoulders Of Our Ancestors :
Successful living using the Principles of Kwanzaa
G. William James;
On The Shoulders Of Our Ancestors is an important book. As the celebration of Kwanzaa grows in popularity each year, more African American people desire a much deeper understanding of its concepts and to better learn how to observe the Principles.

This book is not about Kwanzaa. It is about these seven Principles, the Nguzo Saba. Each one is a powerful and effective tool in the development of successful families and communities. These Principles represent how our ancestors survived the horrors of slavery, Jim Crow segregation, and second-class citizenship while yet maintaining their character to establish a moral foundation for future gererations.
 

It's Kwanzaa Time!
Linda Goss;
Available now in paperback is It's Kwanzaa Time!, an entertaining collection of stories, songs, activities, games and recipes that focus on and explain the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, responsibility, cooperation, purpose, creativity and faith.

The lively text of It's Kwanzaa Time! and the illustrations by award winning artists Jerry Pinkney, Ashley Bryan, Jan Spivey Gilchrist, Floyd Cooper, Jonathan Green, and Leo and Diane Dillon bring together the sights, sounds, smells and flavors of Kwanzaa in one volume. It's great fun to read aloud and the whole family can participate together.
 

VHS

Kwanzaa: An African American Cultural Holiday	Rugrats - Kwanzaa Buy New:
The African American Story Telling Collection, Vol. 2	Kwanzaa (Holidays For Children Video Series)

 

A Kwanzaa Celebration Pop-Up Book :
CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAY WITH NEW TRADITIONS AND FEASTS
by Nancy Williams, et al; Hardcover
Buy new: $10.36 
The seven principles of Kwanzaa (from unity to faith) are introduced with the African words and pronunciations, accompanied by bright illustrations of African American children and family groups. Each spread includes a pop-up holiday element such as candles in a special candleholder or the mkeka, a colorful place mat to hold theKwanzaa symbols. One pop-up is a gift box with a lid that opens to show a tiny doll inside! ("Each child receives zawadi (zah-WAH-dee), or gifts, from our parents. These are for promises kept during the year.") And, on the last page you can open and close the book slightly to make a little boy's trombone slide and a girl's hands wave. Though this book will not withstand much use by young children alone, it would be fine for an adult to read to children. A delightful visual celebration of Kwanzaa. (Ages 3 to 8)

Imani's Gift At Kwanzaa
This book is a good introduction to Kwanza for children and yes adults too. It explains the meaning of Kwanza, The symbols, and the terminolgy associated with this cultural festival.
 

 

 

Seven Candles for Kwanzaa
by Andrea Davis Pinkney, et al (Hardcover - October 1993)
Although Kwanzaa commemorates an ancient African harvest ritual, it is a relatively new holiday in North America. Seven Candles for Kwanzaa comfortably explains the origins, language, and daily themes of this warm and festive seven-day holiday. Author Andrea Davis Pinkney's tone is that of a...

My First Kwanzaa Book
Deborah M. Newton Chocolate;
Introduces Kwanzaa, the holiday in which Afro-Americans celebrate their cultural heritage.

 

The Story of Kwanzaa (Trophy Picture Book) Donna L. Washington;	Kwanzaa and Me: A Teacher's Story Vivian Gussin Paley;
Habari Gani?: What's the News? : A Kwanzaa Story Sundaira Morninghouse;	It's Kwanzaa Time! : A Lift-the-Flap Story Synthia Saint James;

My First Kwanzaa Book by Deborah M. Newton Chocolate, Cal Massey (Illustrator); Paperback Buy new: $5.99	The Gifts of Kwanzaa by Saint James Synthia Saint James Synthia, Paperback - Pages: 32, Edition: Reprint, Paperback, Albert Whitman & Co
Children's Book of Kwanzaa A Guide to Celebrating the Holiday by Dolores Johnson Dolores Johnson, Paperback - First begun in 1966, Kwanzaa, which celebrates the African American people,	Seven Spools of Thread A Kwanzaa Story by Angela Shelf Medearis Angela Shelf Medearis, Hardback - In this story based on the seven principles of Kwanzaa, seven brothers ...
Kwanzaa and Me A Teacher's Story by Vivian Gussin Paley Vivian Gussin Paley, Paperback - "Her subject is a deep and difficult one, but 'Kwanzaa and Me' inspires ...	Kwanzaa Kids by Joan Holub Joan
Celebrating Kwanzaa by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith, Paperback - Factual information about the African-American festival of Kwanzaa is ...	New Year's to Kwanzaa Original Stories of Celebration by Kendall Haven Kendall Haven, Paperback - New Year's to Kwanzaa is an exciting collection of 36 original stories of ...
Seven Days of Kwanzaa by Angela Shelf Medearis Angela Shelf Medearis, Paperback - Filled with crafts, recipes, illustrations, glossary, and ...	365 Days of Kwanzaa: A Daily Motivational Reader by Lawrence J. Hanks
Imani's Gift at Kwanzaa by Burden-Patmon Denise Burden-Patmon Denise, Burden-Patman Denise, Library Binding, Bt Bound	Kwanzaa: An African-American Celebration of Culture and Cooking by Copage Eric V.

A Plentiful Harvest: Creating Balance and Harmony Through the Seven Living Virtues by Terrie Williams (Author) (Hardcover) The president of her own P.R. firm, Terrie Williams'former and current clients include Sean "P-Diddy" Combs, Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy, and Sally Jessy Raphael. She lives in New York City.

My First Kwanzaa by Karen Katz (Author) (School & Library Binding - November 2003) PreSchool-Grade 2-A round-faced, happy little girl tells about her family's Kwanzaa celebration. The simple text and colorful folkloric illustrations with vivid patterns make this a good book to share with young children. Adults will appreciate the brief note about the holiday and the phonetic...

The Gifts of Kwanzaa by Synthia Saint James, et al (Paperback - September 1997) Editions: School & Library Binding | Paperback "Habari gani? What news?" Synthia Saint James presents the language and origins of Kwanzaa with enticing writing and bold pictures that honor the people and colors of Africa. In her concise introduction, she explains that "'Kwanzaa, which means 'first fruits' in the African language of Swahili, is...

Horrible Harry and the Holidaze by Suzy Kline, Frank Remkiewicz (Illustrator) (Hardcover - September 2003) Grade 1-3-It's December, and the children in Room 3B are excited about a new classmate, a new class pet, and the chance to learn about the five winter holidays that various classmates celebrate-Three Kings' Day, Korean New Year, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and Christmas. Harry seems listless, but snaps back...

K Is for Kwanzaa: A Kwanzaa Alphabet Book by Juwanda G. Ford, Ken Wilson-Max (Illustrator) (Hardcover - November 1997) A is for Africa, B is for bendera, and C is for candle in Juwanda Ford and illustrator Ken Wilson-Max's boldly colorful, artfully illustrated alphabetical amble through the principles and language of Kwanzaa. A brief introduction to the history of Kwanzaa--an African American holiday that began in...

Celebrating Kwanzaa Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith;	Kwanzaa Karamu: Cooking and Crafts for a Kwanzaa Feast April A. Brady;
Kwanzaa Fun (Holiday Fun) Linda Robertson;	Mommy, Is It Kwanzaa Yet? Barbara Ann Johnson-Stokes;
The Kwanzaa Contest (Hyperion Chapters) Penny Taylor;	Kwanzaa Sticker Activity Book Cheryl Willis Hudson;
Kwanzaa (True Books) Dana Meachen Rau;	Kwanzaa (Journey to Freedom) Amy Robin Jones;

Kwanzaa : A Family Affair (An Avon Camelot Book) Mildred Pitts Walter;	First Fruits: The Family Guide to Celebrating Kwanzaa Imani A. Humphrey;
Father Kwanzaa Vol. I: The Spirit of Kwanzaa Alfonza R. Goggins;	Kwanzaa: An African-American Celebration of Culture and Cooking Eric V. Copage;

Kwanzaa (Special Holiday Books) by M. Newton, et al (Paperback - September 1990)

African-American Holiday and Celebration Stickers by Sylvia Walker (Author) (Accessory - January 1998)