Once upon a Kwanzaa

Williams and McCall pen an accessible introduction to Kwanzaa’s tenets in this vibrant celebration of African American community, culture, and heritage. Framed around the Nguzo Saba—the seven guiding principles—contextualizing lines invite young readers to explore the concepts (“The first night of Kwanzaa is Umoja, which celebrates building bridges between family, friends, and community. Our family honors and shares the labors of love from our garden with our neighbors, embracing the principle of unity”). Traditions including lighting the kinara, making space for the mkeka, and pouring a libation for the diasporas are seamlessly woven into the narrative, grounding abstract values in everyday ritual. Cloud’s heavily populated illustrations portray joyful intergenerational gatherings, including a striking spread of ancestors looking on from the clouds, across this celebratory and informational resource. Characters are shown with various abilities, body types, and skin tones. A glossary concludes. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)