Celebrating Kwanzaa [Hardcover]

Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith (Author), Lawrence Migdale (Illustrator, Photographer)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Text and photographs depict how a Chicago family celebrates the African American holiday, Kwanzaa.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 4-6, younger for reading aloud. The rituals of Kwanzaa are clearly presented and handsomely photographed in this well-designed photo-documentary. Hoyt-Goldsmith and Migdale spent the Kwanzaa holiday with a Chicago family, and this is the story of that family's celebration. Kwanzaa symbols and the principles for each day are briefly defined, and the origin, application, and celebration of the Seven Principles of the holiday are movingly explained. Each day is given its own double-page spread, with the text concentrating on the particular principle for the day and the photographs showing what the family does to commemorate it. Production values are very high--from the excellent quality of the photographs to the design of the book. This is a valuable addition to school and public libraries that can be used to fill the information gap for children of various ages and cultural backgrounds. A brief glossary and a map of Africa are included. Janice Del Negro

From Kirkus Reviews

The author and photographer of Cherokee Summer (p. 531) and other glimpses into our country's alternative cultures follow a Chicago family through the celebration of this modern African- American holiday. Most of Migdale's sharp photos are family scenes, filled with happy moments, bright colors and relaxed-looking people, while 13-year-old narrator Andiey Barnes's description of each day's ritual or festivity is supplemented by sidebars containing the seven principles of Kwanzaa and quotes from famous African-Americans. Kwanzaa is seen as a time for reinforcing bonds, not only domestic and historical but also economic--the Barneses make a special effort to patronize black-owned businesses during the week. Not so much a how-to guide as one family's experience of a holiday celebrated, the author says, by over 18 million people: a colorful supplement to Pinkney's Seven Candles for Kwanzaa (p. 1278) or Deborah Chocolate's books. (Nonfiction. 8-11) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House; 1st edition (September 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082341048X
• ISBN-13: 978-0823410484
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,379,081 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #77 in Books > Children's Books > Holidays & Celebrations > Kwanzaa

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent resource for learning about this holiday., December 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Celebrating Kwanzaa (Paperback)

This book is an excellent resource for those learning about this relatively new African American holiday. Middle to upper elementary students (3rd-6th) will find it chock full of clearly written information, including the history, traditions, symbols and activities that make up the Kwanzaa celebration. Teachers can use this book to benefit lower elementary students by using the many superb photographs and paraphrasing the text. Pronunciation is given immediately following difficult words making read-aloud a cinch. The tone is positive and uplifting throughout. This book is on my Christmas wish list.