Together for Kwanzaa

By Juwanda G. Ford

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Dec 1, 2010
• ISBN: 9780307560704

Reviews for Together for Kwanzaa

[lilyroseshadowlyn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A very cute, educational story. I appreciate that not only are the different parts explained, with examples, but that pronunciation guides are included in-text. The illustrations are nice, and this is a great introductory book for kids and adults alike.

[lycomayflower · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This picture book uses the frame of a little girl waiting on her college-age brother to come home (he's stuck in a snowstorm) to illustrate the principles of Kwanzaa. It does a good job of introducing those principles and what they mean (and includes a pronunciation guide for the Swahili words, which is great). It is very focused on the information rather than the story, but as such is probably a good way of introducing and/or discussing Kwanzaa with slightly older kids.

[stomas5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Summary: This children's book was about a little girl named Kayla whose family celebrates Kwanzaa every year. This year her brother Khari is not able to make it home from college due to a snowstorm and it makes Kayla sad. Her family continues on with the seven days of lighting candles and saying greetings in the Swahili language. Eventually by the last day of Kwanzaa when there is a celebration with family and friends, Khari is able to make it home and surprise Kayla. The family is back together at last to enjoy the holiday together. Argument: This is book is a great read for young children. It teaches them about the holiday of Kwanzaa and all that it encompasses. I liked that this book had actual sayings and words in the Swahili language with English definitions. This is great for children who do not know or have not heard of Swahili and want to know more about the culture. For example, on page 3, words like "kinara, mkeka, and habari gani" are used. I also liked the detail and description this book used to talk about the rituals and traditions done on this holiday. For children who do not know anything about Kwanzaa this is key to comprehending meaning. For example, on page 3 it says, "First she put down the mkeka, a traditional straw mat. On top of the mkeka, she placed the kinara, a Kwanzaa candle holder". The theme of this book is to explain the rituals and traditions of Kwanzaa through a young girl's eyes. It also shows the importance of family, and having them close to us during the special holidays.

[sweetiegherkin · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Kayla loves celebrating Kwanzaa but is sad that her brother Khari is away at school this year. Will he make it home in time for Kwanzaa with the family?I appreciate that this book tries to present factual information about this holiday by cloaking it in a family story. But most of the pages were chock full of didactic and almost textbook-like narrative with only a line or two thrown in about what Kayla was up to or thinking. It's a very wordy book so it's definitely meant for a slighter older audience but not one so old that the preachy tone would be a turn off - probably best for children in first or second grade. Still, I don't think it's the best Kwanzaa book out there; I would personally prefer something that was strictly factual or a book that had fewer facts but more story.