Once Upon a Kwanzaa

by Nyasha Williams, Sidney Rose McCall, Sawyer Cloud (illustrator)

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction, Holiday

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 30, 2025

Reviews

[Suzanne]

Vignettes of families of diverse racial backgrounds and family structures fill the opening spread of the book. Some are placing candles in the kinara, some are shopping or unpacking decorations, others are welcoming relatives who have come to share the holiday. Each scene is filled with warmth and cooperation. Rhyming text introduces readers to important elements of Kwanzaa like the Nguzo Saba, the guiding principles which the holiday focuses on each day, and the kikombe cha umoja or cup of unity. The families from those opening illustrations appear on the pages as they decorate the table, play drums, or create handmade gifts - zawadi.

I study Kwanzaa with my students each year as part of a unit on winter holidays around the world. The kiddos enjoy learning the Swahili terms for the guiding principles and hearing about how the holiday may be celebrated in different homes or communities. They compare some of the activities to those associated with holidays their own families observe - weaving placemats for Thanksgiving dinner rather than creating an mkeka for the Kwanzaa table, for example.

This book does a wonderful job of showing how wide the range of people who celebrate Kwanzaa actually is and how the holiday can be shared with friends, family, and community. The introduction of the Swahili words within the text is supported by a glossary in the back with both definitions and pronunciation help. I will be using this book in my classes this year and it would be a great purchase for other teachers or for families planning their own Kwanzaa gatherings or interested in learning about other holiday customs.

[Melissa (Nissa_the.bookworm)]

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
♥️ love to learn about new traditions
📖 are looking for a new book
👧🏽 have young kids
🕯️ celebrate Kwanzaa

• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓

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.

• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

I really enjoyed this one! I’ve never known much about Kwanzaa, so this was a nice way to learn more about it with my son. The pictures were absolutely gorgeous and told such a great story! I think this is a great addition for both beginners to Kwanzaa and those who already celebrate it. I highly recommend this one for the upcoming holiday season!

[YSBR]

Kwanzaa is celebrated by many people across the world, but for those who do not observe the holiday, what it represents may be a mystery. Honoring the collective community is at the core of Kwanzaa. It recognizes that we share a collective past and the work we do together now will impact our collective future. The book goes through the seven days of celebration and shows readers how communities celebrate the holiday. For example on the first night Umoja (unity) the main character and her family share the fruits and veggies from their garden with their larger community. The diversity in this book is amazing. Oftentimes when you think of Kwanzaa, you think about how it is largely celebrated in the African American and African diaspora communities. However, the book shows a diversity of racial backgrounds throughout the book. I appreciated also seeing the diversity in body shapes, accessibility, and even ages throughout the book. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Patricia N. McLaughlin]

Habari gani? Kwanzaa! This story presents an overview of the annual celebration of African-American culture and heritage and describes its rich ancestral traditions collected over generations across the Black diaspora. Sophisticated vocabulary and complex sentence structure would suggest that this story was written for more experienced readers, however. Vibrant illustrations show how Kwanzaa is celebrated, its traditions honored, and the seven principles practiced by individual families of the global community. End pages include a glossary and pronunciation guide of Swahili words and phrases used in the story.

[Taylor]

a poetically written & gorgeously illustrated introduction to Kwanzaa! perfect for young readers as well as older readers looking for an accessible and inclusive primer on the holiday (including a handy glossary at the back). the book balances storytelling alongside history and community knowledge.

i am very lucky to know & be an academic community with one of the co-authors. even as a history student, i learned from this book! i read it outloud to my parents and it inspired a really great discussion.

[Zahnii (Suzanne) Artis]

I love that this story is so inclusive in the illustrations…often, I have found that Kwanzaa books center around heterosexual Black couples. This book includes multiple races, a spectrum of gender expression and LGBT families while still feeling centered in Black culture and affirmation. It’s a little abstract and informational rather than a story…

[Marti]

This is a cute picture book story told in rhyming verses about the days of Kwanzaa and the history behind it. Although some of the language may be a little dense for young readers, it's very informative and the pictures are beautiful, showing people of all ages, abilities, and skin tones celebrating together.

[Sandra Mccall]

The perfect introduction to Kwanzaa for everyone, with a glossary and visuals depicting the community celebrating the beauty of Kwanzaa - a holiday with principles of kindness/goodness for everyone. The story shares ways to embrace Kwanzaa all year.

[Jolene Gutiérrez]

This beautiful book is a wonderful way to introduce Kwanzaa traditions and the seven principles to young readers. I loved learning about this holiday and appreciated that the authors included a glossary in the back to support