The Gifts of Kwanzaa

by Synthia Saint James

Bold, colorful artwork and a simple text introduce the seven principles of Kwanzaa--unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith--and describe how African Americans celebrate the holiday.

Genres: Holiday, Nonfiction, Childrens

1 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Synthia SAINT JAMES is a world renowned multicultural visual artist, and award-winning author and/or illustrator of 17 children's books, several poetry and affirmation books, a cookbook, a play, a monologue, and 2 marketing books. Her most recent books include - Healers, Orishas, Shamans and Deities: The Healing Art of Synthia SAINT JAMES - in which she shares twelve of her paintings created between March and November 2020 and healing inspirations, her first short novel Hyacinth: A Novelette, and her first art table book My Multicultural World. HBCUs: Capturing the Quintessence and My Kaleidoscopic World are her latest

She is a popular keynote speaker, educator and public art designer who has garnered numerous awards, including the prestigious Trumpet Award, a Coretta Scott King Award, a HistoryMaker Award, and an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Saint Augustine's University. Dr. SAINT JAMES also serves as a Global Ambassador for Susan G. Komen for the Cure's "Circle of Promise”.

Synthia SAINT JAMES' United States Postal Service stamp designs include the first Kwanzaa Commemorative Stamp in 1997 (a total of 318 million stamps were printed using her first design - which was used on the 32, 33, 34, and 37 cents stamps), and the 2016 Forever Kwanzaa Stamp celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Kwanzaa holiday.

Her paintings grace the covers of over 75 books - including the original international cover art for Terry McMillan's Waiting to Exhale and Iyanla Vanzant's Acts of Faith. But few know that her artwork has been featured in United States Embassies worldwide through the Art in Embassies Program since the 1990's.

The House of Seagram, Coca Cola USA, Maybelline, Essence Communications, National Coalition of 100 Black Men, Glendale Memorial Hospital, YWCA of Greater Los Angeles, Barnes and Noble, Marriott Hotels & Resorts and AARP represent a mere sampling of her clients. She has also created 17 commissioned paintings for colleges and universities and over 16 for non-profit organizations including her recent painting “HER Vision for Empowerment” for PAI.org.

Some of her most celebrated collectors include Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr., Alice Walker, Jenifer Lewis, Glynn Turman, Regina Taylor, Brenda Russell, Charles Fuller and Vanessa Bell Calloway.

Awards created by Synthia SAINT JAMES include the "We See You Award", the "Mosaic Woman Award", and "The Lifetime Achievement Award" especially commissioned for His Excellency Nelson Mandela by Africare in 2010.

Reviews

[Els · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations in this are fabulous.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book presents a simple, straightforward explanation of Kwanzaa, defining key terms, explaining the seven principles and symbols, and describing the activities commonly practiced on each night of the seven-day holiday. Bold illustrations with bright primary colors add welcome hues to the bland text, though the human figures are strangely faceless. Perhaps an introduction to the family would have made the story more interesting, as would adding names and faces.

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, it’s an odd choice for April, but Maddie picked this because she was excited to see a book about something she’d learned at school.

It’s a great intro to the holiday and I love the pictures.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

although published in 1994 and slightly on the dated side despite lack of photos, this title provides the basic information related to kwanzaa holiday from the origin of the holiday to 7 principles of kwanzaa with pronounciation.

[Christine Turner]

Note: Includes African names of items and the phonetic pronunciation.

Subject: Kwanzaa -- Juvenile literature
African Americans -- Social life and customs