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If you’re celebrating Kwanzaa with kids this season, or need a good gift for a young reader in your life, these adorable kids Kwanzaa books will fit the bill. With colorful illustrations, impactful lessons and memorable characters, they also make an excellent addition to classroom bookshelves.
‘Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa’ by Donna L. Washington
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When L’il Rabbit’s Granna Rabbit gets sick, it’s up to him to find Granna a special treat for Karamu. He looks everywhere for one, before he realizes a little help from his family and friends can show him the real reason for the season.
‘Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story’ by Angela Shelf Medearis
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In this multiple award-winning book, seven brothers are constantly fighting. But when their father dies, he leaves them a mission: by sundown, they must make gold out of seven spools of thread or else they’ll become beggars. It will teach children the Nguzo Saba, or “seven principles” of Kwanzaa, highlighted by gorgeous linoleum block prints by Daniel Minter.
‘The People Remember’ by Ibi Zoboi
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This Coretta Scott King honor book tells the journey of African descendants in America by connecting their history to the seven principles of Kwanzaa. When African people were taken from their families, they all spoke different languages and had their own customs. But when they were bound together and forced to sail into an uncertain future, they had to learn a common language and create a culture that combined their memories of home with new traditions.
‘Together for Kwanzaa’ by Juwanda G. Ford
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Kwanzaa is Kayla’s favorite time of year, but this year the celebrations are threatened by a big snowstorm. Will Kayla’s brother Khari make it home in time? This beautiful book is a great way to teach children all about the special traditions of the holiday.
‘The Seven Days of Kwanzaa’ by Angela Shelf Medearis
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Perfect for readers who are too old for picture books but want to learn how to contribute to Kwanzaa traditions, this fun, educational guide to the holiday shares inspiration for parties, recipes for African-inspired dishes, instructions for craft projects and brief biographies of important figures and their history.
‘The Story of Kwanzaa’ by Donna L. Washington
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Why do we light candles on the kinara? What’s a bendera and where did the Nguzo Saba come from? This informative book answers these questions and more, and even includes activities at the end to keep the fun going.
‘K is for Kwanzaa’ by Juwanda G. Ford
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“A is for Africa, B is for Bendera and C is for Candle.” Kids who are just learning their letters will love this educational alphabet book that will teach the littlest celebrators all about the holiday.