Do you know much about Kwanzaa? By this point in time we have all heard of Kwanzaa, but many don't totally know what it is. It was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga. He was searching for ways to bring Black people together after riots in Los Angeles. (Source) I don't remember hearing about Kwanzaa until the 1990s. I always feel like it is a new holiday. Even with my diversity training and work, I really didn't know too much about Kwanzaa. I have learned more by reading books and reviewing them as well as by sharing crafts and activities here. Today I get to share a wonderful and informative new book about the holiday. It is Once Upon a Kwanzaa by Nyasha Williams and Sidney Rose McCall and illustrated by Sawyer Cloud. Along with my review there is a roundup of crafts and activities to celebrate Kwanzaa and a giveaway.
About the Book:
Once Upon a Kwanzaa Written by Nyasha Williams and Sidney Rose McCall and Illustrated by Sawyer CloudAges 4-6 | 32 Pages | Publisher: Running Press Kids (2025) | ISBN-13: 978-0762487356
Publisher’s Book Summary: A celebration of the beauty, power, and faith of the African-American community as reflected in the principles of Kwanzaa, by the author of I Affirm Me: The ABCs of Inspiration for Black Kids.
Kwanzaa is a holiday steeped in ancestral traditions collected over generations of people across the Black Diaspora. Once Upon a Kwanzaa introduces communities of all colors to the interwoven history and lived experiences connected to this time of year when families and loved ones gather to celebrate, share, and reimagine the past, present, and future. Sawyer Cloud’s stunning artwork showcases seven different BIPOC families and highlights how different peoples of the Diaspora can celebrate in their communities, from setting the table and lighting the Kinara to sharing meals and gathering at events. The book includes a glossary and pronunciation guide.
Purchase Links:
About the Authors:
Nyasha Williams grew up living intermittently between the United States and South Africa. As a kindergarten teacher, she was inspired to continue work as an author, creator, and activist after reading her first book to her class when one of her Black students told her that mermaids could not be Black. Williams kickstarted her first picture book, What’s the Commotion in the Ocean, starring a Black mermaid who spreads a message of marine conservation. She is the author of four picture books with Running Press Kids, including the bestselling I Affirm Me, and is the author of RP Studio’s Black Tarot, as well as a board book series with Harpercollins.
For more information, check out
- nyashawilliams.online
- nyashawilliams.substack.com
- https://www.instagram.com/writingtochangethenarrative/
Sidney Rose McCall is an historian and community intellectual who combines her academic work with her activism. Though the pandemic saw her complete her Masters in Applied Social Science far from the classroom, she turned her eyes to the community, building a platform through Patreon where she continues to share decolonized history lessons and virtual discussions. She also joined the Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community, Inc. as a student-docent at the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts and now serves as a member of their Academic Committee for the ZORA! Festival of the Arts and Humanities. Ms. McCall hopes to work alongside community bridge builders to bring integrative stories into our creative spaces of resilience and resistance.
For more information, check out
About the Illustrator:
Sawyer Cloud is a freelance artist from Madagascar. Her passion for kids’ literature pushed her to turn it into a living. Sawyer loves sunny days and music. She dreams of owning a small cottage and traveling the world. She still lives in her native country, Madagascar, with her family and her two pets, Arya the dog and Potter the cat.
For more information, check out:
From Me:
The book walks us through a family preparing to celebrate Kwanzaa. It goes through the principles as well as how each night is celebrated. It is written so young children can understand the story and what is happening. It is clear and the illustrations are colorful and fun. At the end of the book there is a glossary of words used in the book.
I love how the book expresses the differences in people including the differences in colors of Black people. It also shares a bit of the history of Black people. It mentions things like slavery, rebellions, and civil rights but also miracles and light. I also love that it shares that families look differently and has people that are in wheelchairs and are blind. The families include diversity in themselves as well. It is a book about real life and shares a positive light on so much.
This book is perfect for teaching kids about Kwanzaa. It goes into different details as well as sharing the beauty of the holiday. I love how it is about community and caring for others as well as celebrating! The book is well written and explains Kwanzaa to children who celebrate as well as kids who are learning about it for diversity. It is perfect for at home as well as a classroom or public story time!
Kwanzaa Craft Roundup:
To go with this book I thought it would be fun to do some crafts. The authors/publishers provide an activity kit.
For more crafts and activities here are a few I found from my fellow bloggers but also check out Crafting a Fun Life. She shares many great ideas. Fun Family Crafts shares some great crafts including this roundup. Kwanzaa Time! shares many great posts about Kwanzaa and some crafts.
2) 20 Kwanzaa Crafts & Activities on 123 Homeschool 4 Me
3) Kwanzaa Themed Memory Game from Artsy Craftsy Mom
4) 30+ Kwanzaa Crafts & Activities for Toddlers & Preschoolers on Happy Toddler Playtime
5) Kwanzaa Yoga Poses & Books from Kids Yoga Stories
Trend Enterprises shares a fun Woven Mkeka Mat and bulletin board ideas.
Teaching Tiny Tots shares a Kufi Construction Hat to make.
We have also shared some books as well as featuring various crafts, songs, and more for Kwanzaa over the years!
Giveaway:
Enter for the chance to win one of five hardcover copies of Once Upon a Kwanzaa! One grand prize winner will receive the book plus a complete Kwanzaa Celebration Kit—featuring a Kwanzaa Advent, Kinara, and ceremonial candles—to honor your family’s heritage and create meaningful traditions. Good luck!
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