December 26 – Kwanzaa

About the Holiday

Today’s holiday is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary this year. Kwanzaa was established in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor and chairman of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach as a way to unite African-Americans as a community. Derived from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, which translates as “first fruits,” Kwanzaa incorporates aspects of several African harvest celebrations. The seven-day holiday is observed from December 26 through January 1, and as the little boy in today’s book relates, offers excitement, togetherness, and meaningful reflection.

Kevin’s Kwanzaa

Written by Lisa Bullard | Illustrated by Constanza Basaluzzo

Surrounded by red, green, yellow, and black paper and his craft supplies, Kevin is excited to be making decorations for his family’s Kwanzaa celebration. “Mom says it celebrates our African American culture,” Kevin says. Together, Kevin and his mom set the table. First, his mom lays down a mat. Then Kevin adds the candleholder and the special Kwanzaa candles while his mom adds a bowl of fruit and vegetables. “There’s an ear of corn for each kid,” Kevin explains. “Next comes the unity cup. Didn’t I do a great job decorating it? We put out presents too! Now we’re ready for Kwanzaa,” he adds with pride.

On the first night of Kwanzaa, Kevin’s family gathers at the table as Kevin’s grandfather lights the first candle—the black candle in the center of the candleholder. Each night another candle will be lit. Kevin can’t wait for his turn on the last night. After the candle lighting, “Grandpa explains the Kwanzaa word for the first day. Every day has a special word in Swahili,” Kevin says. The first word is Umoja, which means unity, or “sticking together as a group.”

Grandpa explains that “sticking together is why Kwanzaa began.” The holiday was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966, who wanted African Americans to “feel proud of their shared African background.” Each night another family member lights candles, so Kevin watches closely to be ready for his turn. On the third night, Kevin’s mom lights the candles, and the principle word is Ujima or “collective work and responsibility.” The family talks “about helping one another solve problems”—like Kevin’s “messy bedroom problem.” The fifth night belongs to Kevin’s brother, and the family discusses their goals to help the community. Kevin says that he has two goals: to become a teacher and to light the Kwanzaa candles.

The sixth night is Kevin’s favorite. His family attends a big party, and because the day’s word is Kuumba, which means “creativity,” there will be homemade decorations, presents, and drums. Kevin loves to “boom, boom with the drummers” and “stomp, stomp with the dancers” and “eat and eat!” At last, it is the seventh day of Kwanzaa! Kevin is excited to open his presents, but he says he “likes lighting the candles even more!” Grandpa tells Kevin his special word Imani means “faith,” and that he “should believe in our people every day.” Kevin agrees, thinking “that will be like living Kwanzaa all year long!”

Each two-page spread of Kevin’s Kwanzaa also presents facts about the holiday. Readers learn how the holiday began, where it is celebrated, and that it incorporates parts of African harvest festivals. They discover that the one black candle, three red candles, and three green candles are lit in a special order and learn the Nguzo Saba or “Seven Principles” of Kwanzaa. Shared activities, such as drinking from the unity cup, are also discussed.

Lisa Bullard’s story, told by a young boy proud to be celebrating Kwanzaa and lighting the candles for the first time, is an engaging introduction to the holiday. Through the narrator’s enthusiasm as he prepares for and takes part in the family celebrations, Bullard reveals the principles and traditions that make Kwanzaa so meaningful. Kids will also appreciate the sentiments expressed in the gentle bits of humor. Divided into short chapters, Kevin’s Kwanzaa allows young readers to feel more grown up—just as Kevin does as he joins the family in lighting the candles.

Through her vibrant illustrations, Constanza Basaluzzo brings the traditions and ceremonies of Kwanzaa to life for children. As the family gathers each night, the joy and pride they feel is clearly depicted. Images of the decorations, clothing, and homemade items as well as portrayals of the seven principles and the founding of Kwanzaa make the concepts easily understood.

Ages 4 – 7

Millbrook Press, Lerner Books, 2013 | ISBN 978-0761385882

Discover more about Lisa Bullard and her books as well as fun activities on her website!

Kwanzaa Activity

Kwanzaa Word Search

Kwanzaa is a holiday of fun as well as family and community togetherness. Discover 25 words related to the holiday in this Kwanzaa Word Search puzzle! Here’s the Solution!

Picture Book Review

December 25 – Christmas

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Christmas is anticipated all year round for the joy of giving, the fun of receiving, and the message of hope the holiday gives. Honoring the birth of Jesus, it is a religious observation celebrated with hymns, special services, prayers, and remembrance of others. Incorporating long-held traditions from around the world, the holiday also welcomes Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Papá Noel, Ded Moroz (“Grandfather Frost” in Russian), Julenissen (“Christmas Gnome” in Norway), and many other names, who brings gifts to children on Christmas Eve. The day inspires family dinners, home baking, parties with friends, and togetherness.

Christmas in the Barn

Written by Margaret Wise Brown | Illustrated by Anna Dewdney

“In a big warm barn in an ancient field / The oxen lowed, the donkey squealed, / The horses stomped, the cattle signed, / And quietly the daylight died / In the sunset of the west.” As the animals in the barn gathered for a meal of hay in the waning light, a star shining brighter than all the others rose in the sky. A couple and their donkey approach the barn, led there by the innkeeper who has no more rooms to give.

Welcomed by the farmyard animals, “…they were all safe and warm / All together in that ancient barn. / When hail—the first wail of a newborn babe reached the night / Where one great star was burning bright….” Shepherds tending their flocks come to watch the baby sleeping, and three wise men from far away travel to give him precious gifts. “What child is this who is born here / Where the oxen stomp and peer, / Away in a manger, no crib for his bed / What child is this who lays down his sweet head?”

With the dawning Christmas Day, the wise men rejoice while the special child still sleeps watched over by his mother and father, the sheep and the goats, the ox and the dog, the cat and the doves. “And there they were / All safe and warm / All together / In that ancient barn.”

From the first line of Christmas in the Barn, readers will delight in this Margaret Wise Brown picture book for little ones. Her distinctive rhythm and rhyme scheme brings the story of Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus close to the heart of listeners. Wise Brown describes the events of that first Christmas Eve night and dawning Christmas day with simple, lilting sentences that emphasize the tenderness and togetherness in that “ancient barn.” Children will respond to Wise Brown’s gentle animals and the recognition of lines from familiar carols. The openness of the text allows for personal discussion of the story, making this a wonderful choice that will become a favorite with young—and even older—children.

Originally published in 1952, Christmas in the Barn is given a new and stunning look by Anna Dewdney. Her mixed-media illustrations glow with the mystery and splendor of the story. As the couple travels to the little inn, they are portrayed in silhouette, tiny against the vast peach-colored desert. The animals eat their dinner, unaware of what will soon happen in their home. Their sweet faces welcome the two people to share their space, and when the baby is born, the midnight blue sky lightens with the onset of the guiding star. Dewdney’s depictions of the barn’s interior focuses on the newborn baby, while the reverence shown him are moving and beautifully portrayed.

Christmas in the Barn is sure to become an often-read Christmas tradition, and would make an excellent selection for holiday collections.

Ages 3 – 8

HarperCollins, 2016 | ISBN 978-0062379863

Christmas Day Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-christmas-coloring-page

Christmas Tree Coloring Page

Brightly wrapped presents under a pine tree decorated with traditional ornaments is a favorite sight at Christmas! Grab some pencils or crayons and color this printable Christmas Tree Coloring Page!

Picture Book Review

December 24 – Hanukkah

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Chanukah, also spelled Hanukkah, is the eight-day Jewish wintertime “festival of lights” that commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in the 2^nd century BCE. Special prayers, oil-based foods, and gifts are also part of this looked-forward to holiday. Today’s reviewed book reveals the history and traditions of Chanukah. If you are celebrating Chanukah this week—many wishes for a meaningful and enjoyable holiday!

The Story of Hanukkah

Written by David A. Adler | Illustrated by Jill Weber

The story of Hanukkah began many centuries ago when Israel was known as Judea and the Jews living there worked as farmers and shepherds. Holidays were spent at the beautiful Temple, where the gates were covered in gold and silver. and a light—the ner tamid—always burned. While the Jews did not rule their land, they lived in peace. “Then a Greek, Antiochus IV became king. He tore down the walls of Jerusalem. Thousands were killed. Anyone who lit Sabbath candles, studied Jewish law, or refused to bow to Greek idols was put to death.”

When Antiochus’s army came to the town of Modiin, “they demanded that Mattathias, an old priest, worship one of their gods.” He refused and with his five sons and other followers ran into the hills. The soldiers chased them, but were attacked by “brave Jews hiding behind large rocks and inside caves….” When Mattathias died his son Judah became the group’s leader. He was known as the Maccabee, or “the hammer,” and the people who fought with him were called Maccabees.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-the-story-of-hanukkah-battle

Image copyright Jill Weber, courtesy of Holiday House Publishing

Antiochus did not give up easily. He sent his soldiers back on horses and even armored elephants. They carried swords and bows and arrows and were well-trained fighters. But despite the fact that there were 600 soldiers for every one Maccabee, the Maccabees defeated the mighty army. “Judah then led the Maccabees to Jerusalem. The Maccabees cried when they saw the Temple ruined and filled with garbage.” They went to work to restore the Temple to its former beauty.

Finally, the Temple was rebuilt and it came time to light the ner tamid. When the people looked for oil to fuel the light, however, all they found was a single jar with only enough oil to burn for one day. They lit the ner tamidm and although supplied with only a meager amount of oil, it burned for eight days—enough time for more oil to be prepared. “On the twenty-fifth day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, the Temple again became the ‘House of God.’”

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-the-story-of-hanukkah-celebrating-restored-temple

Image copyright Jill Weber, courtesy of Holiday House Publishing

Judah told his people that “every year on that date an eight-day holiday would begin.” The holiday would be called Hanukkah, meaning “dedication.” Today, Jews all over the world celebrate Hanukkah. Every night they light one more candle on the menorah. They sing special songs, eat latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), and exchange gifts. Children also enjoy playing a game with a four-sided top called a dreidel. On each side of the dreidel “is a different Hebrew letter—the first letters of the Hebrew sentence Nes gadol hayah sham, which means ‘A great miracle happened there.’” “Hanukkah celebrates one of the first fights for religious freedom.”

With his exceptional storytelling skills, David A. Adler reveals the history of Hanukkah to children. In simple, yet compelling sentences, Adler clearly depicts the faith of the Jews and the dangers they faced from Antiochus and his army. Children will marvel over the astounding defeat of Antiochus’s soldiers at the hands of the Maccabees and be filled with awe as the Temple is rebuilt and the small amount of oil sustains the flame in the ner tamid for eight days. Children unfamiliar with Hanukkah celebrations will discover the meanings behind the traditional foods, dreidel game, and lighting of the Menorah in clear language full of the pride and emotions Jewish families feel during the holiday.

In her bright acrylic paintings Jill Weber brings to life the story of the Jews and the Maccabees, allowing children to fully experience the environment and perils of the time period. Her patchwork fields tended by farmers and shepherds give way to the majesty of the Temple with its central altar and glowing eternal flame. Weber’s battle scenes are particularly effective in presenting the destruction, fear, and final victory experienced by the Jews. Readers will be cheered by the joy depicted in the faces of the people celebrating the restoration of the Temple and the excitement of families observing Hanukkah today.

A recipe for Latkes as well as instructions on how to play Dreidel follow the text

The Story of Hanukkah is a wonderful introduction to the holiday for children learning their own heritage or for children discovering the traditions of friends, family, and others.

Ages 5 – 8

Holiday House, 2012 | ISBN 978-0823425471

To view more of the many, many books by David A. Adler, visit his website!

Discover a gallery of book illustration and other design work by Jill Weber on her website!

Hanukkah Activity

Festival of Lights Word Search

Find 20 words related to Hanukkah celebrations in this printable Festival of Lights Word Search puzzle. Here’s the Solution.

Picture Book Review

December 23 – Roots Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Roots Day was established to inspire us to look into our family background and learn about our heritage. It’s fascinating to discover facts about our ancestors’s lives and the stories that have come down from generation to generation. If you will be with family this weekend, talk about your collective history and get to know each other in a whole new way!

Mango, Abuela, and Me

Written by Meg Medina | Illustrated by Angel Dominguez

During the winter Mia’s Abuela moves from her house far away to live with her family. Mia feels shy around her unfamiliar grandmother, but quickly adapts, sharing her room and her drawer space. The one thing they cannot share is language. Abuela “can’t unlock the English words” in Mia’s book, and Mia knows only a little Spanish.