Kwanzaa: Books For Kids

Looking for a list of the best children's books about Kwanzaa?

Curated by Bookroo: The Children's Book Experts

Kwanzaa is a celebration honoring African heritage and culture in the African-American community, lasting from December 26th to January 1st each year. We’ve gathered up the best books about Kwanzaa to help you learn more about the holiday and celebrate!

Happy reading, and Happy Kwanzaa!

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Li'l Rabbit's Kwanzaa

Written by Donna L. Washington & illustrated by Shane W. Evans

Thoughts from The Book Snob Mom

This was a really cute story about Kwanzaa and about the community it creates, particularly when you are searching to help others. The element of intergenerational bonds is also sweet and uplifting and perfect for the holiday season.

picture book

Recommend Ages: 4-8

Li'l Rabbit is not having a very good Kwanzaa. Granna Rabbit is sick, and so his family won't celebrate his favorite part of Kwanzaa this year: a big feast called Karamu. Li'l Rabbit knows what to do! He'll find Granna Rabbit a special treat for Karamu so she can celebrate anyway. He looks under a pile of logs, in the field, and in the pond and along the way meets Groundhog, Momma Field Mouse, and the frogs—but he doesn't find anything for Granna Rabbit. Maybe I'm just too little to help Granna Rabbit celebrate Kwanzaa, Li'l Rabbit thinks. Or maybe he just needs a little help from his family and friends. Inspired by Brer Rabbit, a trickster character from the African-American folklore tradition, the story of Li'l Rabbit captures the true meaning of Kwanzaa—coming together to help others.

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Kevin's Kwanzaa

Written by Lisa Bullard & illustrated by Constanza Basaluzzo

Thoughts from B is for Bookworm

This book does a great job of simply explaining Kwanzaa through they eyes of a boy. I like that the book has extra information and facts to go along with the story, as well as a glossary and instructions to make a Kwanzaa craft at the end of the book.

picture book

Recommend Ages: 5-7

Kevin is excited for his turn to light the candles on the last night of Kwanzaa. As he narrates through the week of Kwanzaa, readers learn about the origins, purpose, and rituals of this holiday.

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My First Kwanzaa

Written & illustrated by Karen Katz

Thoughts from B is for Bookworm

This book is laid out simply with the words of Kwanzaa, definitions, and telling how they apply. The illustrations are cute and the book is informative!

picture book

Recommend Ages: 2-5

A simple way to get acquainted with Kwanzaa. "Hooray! Hooray! It's time to get ready for Kwanzaa." During the seven days of Kwanzaa, we celebrate the importance of family, friends, and community. This warm and lively introduction to a very special holiday will help even the youngest children join in! Author and illustrator Karen Katz's wonderful series of picture books for the very young offer a simple and fun way to get familiar with the traditions of holiday celebrations from different cultures.

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The Story of Kwanzaa

Written by Donna L. Washington & illustrated by Stephen Taylor

picture book

Recommend Ages: 4-8

It’s Kwanzaa-time! Light the candles on the kinara! Fly the bendera, and tell stories from Africa! The festival of Kwanzaa was originated by Dr. Maulana Karenga to honor the customs and history of African Americans. The seven principles of Kwanzaa, called the Nguzo Saba, serve to remind African Americans of the struggles of the past, and also focus on present-day achievements and goals for the future. Activities at the end of the book include making your own cow-tail switch and baking benne cakes.

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Seven Spools of Thread

Written by Angela Shelf Medearis & illustrated by Daniel Minter

Thoughts from Lemony Snickers

Seven Spools of Thread is a wonderful book for celebrating Kwanzaa. The book features seven sons who must learn to work together to receive their inheritance. The illustrations are fantastic and celebrate the tradition of Kwanzaa with a proud, vibrant fusion of colors. The book teaches a great lesson about looking outside your circle to help those around you.

picture book

Recommend Ages: 7-10

In an African village live seven brothers who make family life miserable with their constant fighting. When their father dies, he leaves an unusual will: by sundown, the brothers must make gold out of seven spools of thread. If they fail, they will be turned out as beggars.

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Together for Kwanzaa - The Book Snob Mom -
The illustrations in this book are gorgeous! It is definitely on the long side, but it's a fine story explaining the principles of Kwanzaa and emphasizing the bond between siblings.
My First Kwanzaa Book - Introduces Kwanzaa, the holiday in which Afro-Americans celebrate their cultural heritage.
The Sound of Kwanzaa - Hear the words, sing the songs, dance to the beat, and shout “Harambee!” as you jump into this joyful celebration of the sounds of Kwanzaa! The sound is Umoja—bringing us together. The sound is Kuumba—the songs of our ancestors. The sound is Kwanzaa! Lively verse and colorful illustrations guide you through the seven principles of this festive holiday. All you have to do is come close, gather round, and discover what Kwanzaa is all about!
Santa's Kwanzaa - Santa lays the last present beneath the last Christmas tree and returns weary-eyed to the North Pole-to the surprise of a lifetime. From the twenty-sixth day of December to January first, Santa and his family delight in the Kwanzaa tradition, and have a jolly-good time. But as the last day approaches, Santa is still filled with the holiday spirit and wants to do something extra special to show his love for humanity. What more can Santa give? Painfully funny merry-making wraps up sweetly in this risible and enchanting celebration of two holidays under one cover!

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The Seven Days of Kwanzaa

Written by Melrose Cooper & illustrated by Jeremy Tugeau

picture book

Recommend Ages: 4-8

Celebrate the culture, heritage, family, and tradition of Kwanzaa through this beautiful variation of a popular holiday song. On the fifth day of Kwanzaa, my people gave to me Five festive friends! Four spending dollars, Red, green, and black, Two drums-a-drumming, And a promise for unity. Sing in celebration of Kwanzaa with this cheerful holiday rhyme. This creative spin on a familiar Christmas song features rhyming text, and lively artwork from illustrator Jeremy Tugeau.

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This Jazz Man

Written by Karen Ehrhardt & illustrated by R. G. Roth

picture book

Recommend Ages: 4-7

In this toe-tapping jazz tribute, the traditional "This Old Man" gets a swinging makeover, and some of the era's best musicians take center stage. The tuneful text and vibrant illustrations bop, slide, and shimmy across the page as Satchmo plays one, Bojangles plays two . . . right on down the line to Charles Mingus, who plays nine, plucking strings that sound "divine." Easy on the ear and the eye, this playful introduction to nine jazz giants will teach children to count—and will give them every reason to get up and dance! Includes a brief biography of each musician.

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Horrible Harry and the Holidaze

Written by Suzy Kline & illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz

chapter book

Recommend Ages: 7-9

The holiday season is here, and the kids in Room 3B are learning about all the different ways people celebrate. In addition to Christmas and Hanukkah, there's Kwanzaa, Three Kings' Day, Korean New Year, and more. All the talk about holidays has everyone feeling festive. Everyone, that is, except Harry. He doesn't seem to care about the holidays, the class pet, or even the new student in class. It's clear that something is bugging Harry, but what could it be?

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