Kwanzaa is a cultural festival, founded in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, during which African-Americans celebrate and reflect upon their rich heritage. It begins December 26 and lasts for seven days. Kwanzaa is a Kiswahili word meaning "the first fruits of the harvest."

WEB SITES | ADULT NON-FICTION | ADULT FICTION
YOUTH NON-FICTION | YOUTH FICTION | AUDIOVISUAL |

WEB SITES

THE HISTORY CHANNEL: KWANZAA
http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=mini_home&mini_id=1047
Explains Kwanzaa, its seven principles and symbols.

KWANZAA RECIPES: AFRICAN-AMERICAN CELEBRATION RECIPES
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/et_hd_kwanzaa/0,1972,FOOD_9838,00.html
Create a feast full of flavor by cooking recipes that use traditional ingredients.

KWANZAA RECIPES FROM RECIPE ZAAR
http://www.recipezaar.com/recipes/kwanzaa
Looking for the perfect Kwanzaa recipe? Look no further - RecipeZaar has over 450 Kwanzaa delicious recipes.

KWANZAA AT BILLY BEAR FOUR KIDS PLAYGROUND
http://www.billybear4kids.com/holidays/kwanzaa/kwanzaa.htm
Send an e-mail Kwanzaa Card, get an African-American screen saver, and have fun!

KWANZAA INFORMATION CENTER
http://www.melanet.com/kwanzaa/whatis.html
Presents an extensive and informative online guide to Kwanzaa that includes links to an online Kwanzaa bazaar and a National Kwanzaa activities calendar.

THE OFFICIAL KWANZAA WEB SITE
http://www.OfficialKwanzaaWebsite.org/
The founder of Kwanzaa, Dr. Karenga, has established this site to provide information about Kwanzaa, its history, and ways to celebrate the holiday.

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ADULT NON-FICTION

THE COMPLETE KWANZAA: CELEBRATING OUR CULTURAL HARVEST
by Dorothy Winbush Riley [BLACK LIFE 394.26 Ri]
Discusses the seven principles of Kwanzaa.

KWANZAA: FROM HOLIDAY TO EVERYDAY
by Maitefa Angaza [Black Life 811 Nelson]
Whether you are a first time celebrant or a seasoned veteran, this book is a must-read for making Kwanzaa special for you and your loved ones.

HOW TO PLAN A KWANZAA CELEBRATION: IDEAS FOR FAMILIES
by Ida Gamble-Gumbs [Black Life 394.26 Ga]
A guide to planning small and large Kwanzaa celebrations.

KWANZAA!: AFRICA LIVES IN A NEW WORLD FESTIVAL by Sule Greg C. Wilson [BLACK LIFE 394.26 Wi]
Explores the history of African-Americans from slavery to the civil rights movement, then discusses the history and significance of Kwanzaa.

KWANZAA: A CELEBRATION OF FAMILY, COMMUNITY, AND CULTURE
by Maulana Karenga [Black Life 394.26 Ka]
An excellent book aimed at young adults detailing the holiday's origins, values, symbols, and practice, written by Dr. Karenga, the creator of Kwanzaa.

KWANZAA: AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN CELEBRATION OF CULTURE AND COOKING
by Eric V. Copage [BLACK LIFE 641.56 CO]
A resource text that combines stories related to the seven principles, special recipes, and historical information for Kwanzaa celebrants.

CLASSIC KWANZAA POEMS: NEW AND COLLECTED
by johnieRenee Nelson[BLACK LIFE 811 Nelson]
An engaging collection of brief, free-verse poetry by poet and educator JohnnieRenee Nelson celebrating the Kwanzaa holiday, love, memory, tradition and endurance.

KWANZAA: AN EVERYDAY RESOURCE AND INSTRUCTIONAL GUIDE
by David Anderson [394.26 AN]
An instructional guide for teachers and parents that explains the holiday and presents crafts, recipes, and projects for children.

KWANZAA: EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO ASK
by Cedric McClester [BLACK LIFE 394.26 /McCL]
Presents a concise description of the practices and principles of this seven-day cultural festival.

KWANZAA: ORIGIN, CONCEPTS, PRACTICE
by Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga [Black Life 299 /Ka]
Dr. Karenga, who founded in 1966 this "first fruits" celebration, sets out the theories behind this celebration and describes its practice and importance for the African American community.

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ADULT FICTION

"SEASON OF LOVE" featuring "THE GIFT"
by Niqui Stanhope [Black Life Fiction Winters]
Noel Peterson, career-driven and materialistic, realizes the joy of doing for others and the fulfillment of belonging to a community after participating in Kwanzaa celebrations.

"KWANZAA KEEPSAKE"
by Bridget Anderson [Black Life Fiction Anderson]
Three stories centered around the seven principles of the African-American holiday Kwanzaa.

"WINTER NIGHTS" featuring "KWANZAA ANGEL"
by Shirley Hailstock [Fiction Winter]
Erin, who is still carrying a torch for the boy who stood her up 16 years earlier at her high school prom, performs many Kwanzaa rituals throughout the book.

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YOUTH NON-FICTION

THE CHILDREN'S BOOK OF KWANZAA: AN EASY TO FOLLOW GUIDE TO CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAY
by Dolores Johnson [j394.26 JO]
Discusses the origins, principals, symbols, and celebration of Kwanzaa, an African-American cultural holiday.

CRAFTS FOR KWANZAA
by Katherine Reynolds Ross [j745.5 RO]
Filled with holiday craft ideas for Kwanzaa celebrations.

THE GIFTS OF KWANZAA
by Synthia Saint James [j394.26 SA]
Explains the seven principles of Kwanzaa and how this African American cultural holiday is celebrated.

KWANZAA
by David F. Marx [J 394.26 MA]
Introduces the history, customs, meaning, and celebration of Kwanzaa.

KWANZAA
by Deborah M. Newton Chocolate [j394.26 CH]
Discusses the holiday in which African Americans celebrate their roots and cultural heritage.

KWANZAA! A FAMILY AFFAIR
by Mildred Pitts Walter [j394.26 WA]
Shares information and ideas for celebrating Kwanzaa with instructions for making the symbols, recipes for the feast, and an explanation of the seven principles.

MY FIRST KWANZAA BOOK
by Deborah M. Newton Chocolate. [j394.26 CH]
Introduces this African-American celebration to young children.

SEVEN SPOOLS OF THREAD: A KWANZAA THREAD
by Angela Shelf Medearis [394.26 ME]
This original folktale incorporates the seven principles of Kwanzaa into the plot.

THE STORY OF KWANZAA
by Donna L. Washington [j394.26 WA]
Offers information about the traditions and customs of Kwanzaa and includes activities for children.

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YOUTH FICTION

HAVE A HAPPY
by Mildren Pitts Walter [j Walter]
Eleven-year-old Chris is upset because his birthday falls on Christmas. He takes solace in the carvings he prepares for Kwanzaa.

IMANI'S GIFT AT KWANZAA
by Denise Burden-Paton [EASY Burden-Patton]
An African-American girl learns the real message of Kwanzaa.

THE KWANZAA CONTEST
by Miriam Moore j/Reader Moore
Third-grader Ron enters the Kwanzaa talent contest without much confidence in what he has made with his hands.

MOJA MEANS ONE
by Muriel Feelings. [EASY Feelings]
Learn to count in Swahili with English translation.

TOGETHER FOR KWANZAA
by Juwanda G. Ford [EASY Ford]
Kayla hopes that her big brother Khari will get home from college before Kwanzaa is over.

WOOD-HOOPOE WILLIE
by Virginia Kroll [EASY Kroll]
Willie, a boy who was always tapping or making music, finds his calling during a Kwanzaa celebration.

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Videos, DVDs, and Music

CELEBRATE KWANZAA: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE FOR FAMILIES
[AT 394.26 Ce]
All you need to know to celebrate Kwanzaa!

KWANZAA
[VT 394.26 KW]
Young children are introduced to the African American family celebration of Kwanzaa.

KWANZAA: AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN CULTURAL HOLIDAY
[VT 394.26 KW]
This videotape discusses the origins, terminology, symbols, and practices associated with Kwanzaa.

KWANZAA MUSIC
[Musical CDs 781.62 AfKw]
Contains music in English, Swahili, and French for celebrating Kwanzaa.

KWANZAA FOR YOUNG PEOPLE (AND EVERYONE ELSE)
[Musical CDs 781.62 AfKwa]
An uplifting, inspirational pop and R&B celebration of Kwanzaa, the life affirming African American holiday.

KWANZAA ALBUM
by Women of the Kalabash [Musical CDs 781.62 AfwoK]
An authentic collection of music inspired by and based upon the ideals, stories and history of the African-American holiday.

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