Kwanzaa celebrations begin on December 26 and last for seven days. Here are some books, DVDs, and more to help you celebrate Kwanzaa!

Picture Books

Kayla and her family observe Kwanzaa, but will her older brother Khari make it home this year?
Li’l Rabbit is not having a very good Kwanzaa. Granna Rabbit is sick, and he is determined to find her a special Kwanzaa treat.

DVDs

Elmo learns what winter holidays around the world have in common.
Several favorite children’s stories are featured, including Andrea Davis Pinkney’s Seven Candles for Kwanzaa.

Non-Fiction

There are several non-fiction books and DVD’s about Kwanzaa in the Youth Services Department. Here is a selection of titles:

Song

Each night of Kwanzaa, a candle in the kinara candleholder is lit. The candles and their colors represent certain principles. On the first day, the black candle is lit. It represents umoja  or unity. For the next six days, the red and greed candles are lit, alternating, beginning with red and ending with green. The second candle is for kujichagulia, or self-determination (what you want to be, how you accomplish that). The third is for ujima, helping those less fortunate. The fourth is ujamaa, or supporting black-owned businesses. The fifth candle is for the principle of nia, or purpose; and the sixth is for creativity or kuumba. The last candle is green. It represents imani, or faith in oneself and one’s community.

Kinara Song (tune of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”)
First light BLACK for UNITY
Next RED for who you want to be
Light the GREEN and help the poor  
Support black business on day FOUR
NIA means purpose, light the GREEN
Day SIX, let creativity be seen!
FAITH is last, GREEN for IMANI —
Belief in you and in me!
Light the KINARA for SEVEN days!
Joyous Kwanzaa, Happy Holidays!

Crafts and Recipes

These holiday craft books and African and African American cookbooks will add a festive and delicious touch to any party, or karamu:

Natalie Bota

Miss Natalie is the Disability Resources Librarian at Westlake Porter Public Library. She enjoys working with patrons of all ages and can usually be found in the Youth Services Department or the Reading Garden. She enjoys reading picture books and poetry, baseball, writing, cooking, and travel. She loves spending time with her pets, family, and friends.