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Cloverleaf Books ™ - Fall and Winter Holidays
Kevin's Kwanzaa
Kevin's family is celebrating the seven days of Kwanzaa! Kevin helps his mom decorate the Kwanzaa table. They light candles with Grandma and Grandpa and learn a special word each day. They talk about working together and solving problems. On the sixth day, everyone eats and dances at a big feast!
24 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
22 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Bullard
143 books31 followersLisa Bullard is the award-winning author of more than sixty books for children, including the middle grade mystery Turn Left at the Cow. She is also the author of the how-to guide Get Started in Writing for Children. Her books for younger readers include picture books and nonfiction titles such as Trick-or-Treat on Milton Street and You Can Write a Story: A Story-Writing Recipe for Kids. Her books have won several honors, including a Children’s Choice Award, two Teacher’s Choice Awards, a Science Books & Films’ Best Books listing, a National Parenting Publications Children's Resources Silver Award, and a Storytelling World Awards Honor Title. For over fifteen years, Lisa has taught writing classes for adults and young people at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis and in a variety of other settings. Lisa is a graduate of the University of Denver’s Publishing Institute.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 26, 2018
I might have liked this book more if I hadn't already read Together for Kwanzaa this year, which is a much better Kwanzaa picture book for kids. The only thing I liked about this one (that wasn't included in the other book) was the short mention of the originator of the celebration, and when it came about.
Kevin's Kwanzaa is one of those books that seems more like it's aimed at kids who already celebrate the holiday... which is odd, because it's part of a series that seems to be aiming to teach kids about other cultures' celebrations. Aside from a poster the grandfather has that shows the Seven Principles, there isn't much explanation about the significance of the seven days and the word that goes along with each. Some days are skipped over, so the reader doesn't really get a good idea of how the whole celebration unfolds. The sixth-day celebration with food and dancing is mentioned. So are presents. But there's not much significance placed on many of these things.
Even the names of the objects used in the celebrations are just in English here, rather than in Swahili. This leads to a weird glossary that defines things like "candleholder", "creativity", and "slave", which seems awfully generic. Where's the mention of the kinara? Or the mkeka? It almost seems like whoever wrote this book wasn't all that familiar with the holiday themselves!
The pictures here are just okay. They're bright and cartoonish, and show people enjoying themselves... but they're nothing special.
Granted, I've only read two picture books about Kwanzaa, but this one is by far the weaker of the two. It doesn't really have a story; it's almost more of a textbook. Pages are wasted at the end with an unnecessary glossary, an index (in a picture book?!), and some rather confusing instructions on how to make a drum from an oatmeal container. I'd give this one a pass. If you (or the children in your life) are keen to learn about Kwanzaa, I'd recommend Together for Kwanzaa by Juwanda G. Ford instead.
Kevin's Kwanzaa is one of those books that seems more like it's aimed at kids who already celebrate the holiday... which is odd, because it's part of a series that seems to be aiming to teach kids about other cultures' celebrations. Aside from a poster the grandfather has that shows the Seven Principles, there isn't much explanation about the significance of the seven days and the word that goes along with each. Some days are skipped over, so the reader doesn't really get a good idea of how the whole celebration unfolds. The sixth-day celebration with food and dancing is mentioned. So are presents. But there's not much significance placed on many of these things.
Even the names of the objects used in the celebrations are just in English here, rather than in Swahili. This leads to a weird glossary that defines things like "candleholder", "creativity", and "slave", which seems awfully generic. Where's the mention of the kinara? Or the mkeka? It almost seems like whoever wrote this book wasn't all that familiar with the holiday themselves!
The pictures here are just okay. They're bright and cartoonish, and show people enjoying themselves... but they're nothing special.
Granted, I've only read two picture books about Kwanzaa, but this one is by far the weaker of the two. It doesn't really have a story; it's almost more of a textbook. Pages are wasted at the end with an unnecessary glossary, an index (in a picture book?!), and some rather confusing instructions on how to make a drum from an oatmeal container. I'd give this one a pass. If you (or the children in your life) are keen to learn about Kwanzaa, I'd recommend Together for Kwanzaa by Juwanda G. Ford instead.
October 10, 2014
The illustrations were very nice, colorful, and funny. I enjoyed learning about Kwanzaa. I like to learn about different customs. I like looking for books I can read to my grandchildren.
December 29, 2025
3.5 stars.
December 24, 2021
Great! Kevin celebrates Kwanzaa (December 26th-January 1st) with his family. This seven day event was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966, to celebrate African American culture. This book is a great introduction to the concept, and includes a glossary and instructions to make an African drum. Good storyline and fun illustrations.🤴🏾🥁🎉
December 29, 2016
This is a simple explanation of Kwanzaa. Good for young readers.
November 16, 2022
For more bookish thoughts, see my blog: Craft-Cycle
A nice introduction to the celebration of Kwanzaa. Told in four short chapters, this picture book goes through some of the basics of preparing and celebrating. This includes decorating a unity cup, enacting the seven principles, and setting up the candles and lighting them over seven days. It also includes a bit of information about the start of Kwanzaa and why it is celebrated.
One thing I especially appreciated was that the book didn't shy away from slavery. Though its description is brief, it does touch on Africans being forced to America and their continued mistreatment. Yet the book's focus remains on the pride, unity, and joy of celebrating together.
The seven principles are written out and the fictional family enacts a few of them on the corresponding day such as working together to clean Kevin's room on the third day, which focuses on collective work and responsibility.
The backmatter includes a tutorial for making a Kwanzaa drum, a glossary of terms, and some additional recommended resources.
Good information presented in a story-like format to better engage young readers. Colorful and joyful illustrations that make for a fun learning experience.
A nice introduction to the celebration of Kwanzaa. Told in four short chapters, this picture book goes through some of the basics of preparing and celebrating. This includes decorating a unity cup, enacting the seven principles, and setting up the candles and lighting them over seven days. It also includes a bit of information about the start of Kwanzaa and why it is celebrated.
One thing I especially appreciated was that the book didn't shy away from slavery. Though its description is brief, it does touch on Africans being forced to America and their continued mistreatment. Yet the book's focus remains on the pride, unity, and joy of celebrating together.
The seven principles are written out and the fictional family enacts a few of them on the corresponding day such as working together to clean Kevin's room on the third day, which focuses on collective work and responsibility.
The backmatter includes a tutorial for making a Kwanzaa drum, a glossary of terms, and some additional recommended resources.
Good information presented in a story-like format to better engage young readers. Colorful and joyful illustrations that make for a fun learning experience.
April 7, 2020
i gotta say ... i don't recall folks celebrating Kwanzaa when i was a kid ...it has only been within the 2000's that i recall folks chatting about it ...it being on a stamp ... so i wish i knew some one in my circle who did celebrate .. i would love/enjoy asking them question. celebrations are fun and a way to learn about something u don't know about wanna know more about ... very cool. so amazing. love the illustrations. great and vibrant.
December 25, 2022
A great Intro for toddlers
I found this book very helpful in telling the story of Kwanzaa. It had fun facts that helped to add value and information to a storyline. A little glossary in the back. Wish it had added info about the candle order and the words. Also a pronunciation keys. But all in all I still give this 5 stars because my toddler didn’t want to read it, but wound up enjoying it.
I found this book very helpful in telling the story of Kwanzaa. It had fun facts that helped to add value and information to a storyline. A little glossary in the back. Wish it had added info about the candle order and the words. Also a pronunciation keys. But all in all I still give this 5 stars because my toddler didn’t want to read it, but wound up enjoying it.
October 21, 2025
This is a great book that introduces the importance of the holiday Kwanza. it uses bold fonts to highlight unfamiliar words and has a glossary printed in the back. It also divides the story into 'chapters' to distinguish the different days of the celebration. The story also has fun fact boxes on each page that add facts to supportb the fictional storyline. This book is great for students in Kindergarden through second grade.
October 30, 2021
I liked it. Has a bit of information on how Kwanzaa started and how people celebrate it. I had no idea that Kwanzaa started in 1966. That's not that long ago! AND that the holiday started in the U.S. The illustrations are colorful and nice. Although not really a preschool book unless you take out the little paragraphs throughout the book.
December 10, 2020
A great book to read for Kwanzaa.
December 27, 2021
Short informative read on Kwanzaa for kids.
January 5, 2022
Read to M for the Cedar Rapids winter reading challenge. Even for a book for small children, this did not impress me.
November 28, 2022
Kevin and his family joyously cerebrate the 7 days of Kwanzaa with shared African culture, togetherness, pride, tradition, creativity and community.
December 30, 2025
This was a great holiday read aloud for my 1st graders. A perfect introduction to Kwanzaa.
Read
October 19, 2013Kevin's Kwanzaa is a nonfiction picture book by Lisa Bullard. Kevin is the main character that explains to readers how his family celebrates Kwanzaa. The main idea of this story is to inform readers about the significance of the African holiday (ex. celebrates African culture, Dr. Maulana.) As a literacy teacher, I would use this book to teach punctuation (ex. See the decorations I'm making? Now we're ready for Kwanzaa. I can hardly wait for my turn!) Students can interact with this book by making the Kwanzaa drum that is used in their celebration. The book provides directions in the back. Bullard is not an African American, but because of all the exploring she has done, she is fairly familiar with the culture and traditions. The author does a good job providing a glossary in the back of the book for any unknown words. She also did a good job keeping the book understandable for children. Constanza Basaluzzo, the illustrator is not African American either; she is actually from Argentina. She does a good providing detailed pictures. This book provides many historical facts about African culture that teaches children about the culture.
Read
June 19, 2015Text to Self Connection:
I didn't realize that Kwanzaa was not a religious holiday previous to reading this book. Kwanzaa is really a celebration of African American heritage. I wish more ethnicities celebrated their roots in a similar way.
Rationale for culturally specific:
This book is culturally specific because it shares the values and traditions of Kwanzaa. There are blurbs at the bottom of every page that gives the history and deeper explanations of Kwanzaa traditions. The narrator, Kevin, uses many terms specific to this celebration.
6 Bloom's Taxonomy questions:
1. Name two decorations used during Kwanzaa.
2. Describe what is meant by "The Seven Principles."
3. What is the relationship between the candles and the principles?
4. Why is it good that Dr. Maulana created Kwanzaa?
5. List two of the principles.
6. What kind of activities would you do to celebrate your ethnicity?
I didn't realize that Kwanzaa was not a religious holiday previous to reading this book. Kwanzaa is really a celebration of African American heritage. I wish more ethnicities celebrated their roots in a similar way.
Rationale for culturally specific:
This book is culturally specific because it shares the values and traditions of Kwanzaa. There are blurbs at the bottom of every page that gives the history and deeper explanations of Kwanzaa traditions. The narrator, Kevin, uses many terms specific to this celebration.
6 Bloom's Taxonomy questions:
1. Name two decorations used during Kwanzaa.
2. Describe what is meant by "The Seven Principles."
3. What is the relationship between the candles and the principles?
4. Why is it good that Dr. Maulana created Kwanzaa?
5. List two of the principles.
6. What kind of activities would you do to celebrate your ethnicity?
October 13, 2012
What's cool about this series--Fall and Winter Holidays--is that there are so many holidays covered in the various books. Like this title, all of the books provide simple, introductory information in four short chapters about the holiday, viewed through the eyes of a young participant such as Kevin. The simple but brightly colored illustrations are appealing to the eye and show the colors and events that occur during Kwanzaa. I was particularly impressed with how the author describes Kevin's enjoyment of the drums and food on the sixth night of Kwanzaa as well as how his family members spend time talking about the seven principles of the holiday and personalize them so that they can set their own goals for the next year. The book contains a glossary, website references, and an extension activity in which youngsters can make a Kwanzaa drum.
March 5, 2013
1. This book was about a boy named Kevin and how his family celebrated Kwanzaa. It explains the many traditions his family partakes in and it provided many historical facts about African culture and about Kwanzaa, making this book a realistic fiction.
2. This would be a great book to read in class. It has a great story and teaches about African culture and Kwanzaa. It also provides a glossary in the back and instructions on how to make a Kwanzaa drum. This could be a great cultural activity for the kids.
3. The illustrations are so colorful and appealing for young kids. I also liked how the author made it simple enough for kids to be able to understand the concepts of Kwanzaa, and made it interesting at the same time. It showed the deep culture of African Americans.
2. This would be a great book to read in class. It has a great story and teaches about African culture and Kwanzaa. It also provides a glossary in the back and instructions on how to make a Kwanzaa drum. This could be a great cultural activity for the kids.
3. The illustrations are so colorful and appealing for young kids. I also liked how the author made it simple enough for kids to be able to understand the concepts of Kwanzaa, and made it interesting at the same time. It showed the deep culture of African Americans.
April 28, 2014
Text to World Connection:
This book reminds me of the many holidays celebrated around the world. Many students know Kwanzaa is a holiday, however they do not know much about the origin or customs that go along with the celebration.
Discussion Questions:
1. Name two traditions of Kwanzaa
2. What was the main idea of the story?
3. What questions would you ask if you knew someone who celebrated this holiday?
4. How would you compare Kwanzaa to other American celebrations?
5. What did you like best about Kevin's story?
6. What inferences can you make about the closeness of Kevin's family?
Booklist
http://www.booksinprint.com.leo.lib.u...#
This book reminds me of the many holidays celebrated around the world. Many students know Kwanzaa is a holiday, however they do not know much about the origin or customs that go along with the celebration.
Discussion Questions:
1. Name two traditions of Kwanzaa
2. What was the main idea of the story?
3. What questions would you ask if you knew someone who celebrated this holiday?
4. How would you compare Kwanzaa to other American celebrations?
5. What did you like best about Kevin's story?
6. What inferences can you make about the closeness of Kevin's family?
Booklist
http://www.booksinprint.com.leo.lib.u...#
December 10, 2023
Great book for a pass me down Kwanzaa Book
November 19, 2017
An awesome storybook about how Kevin and his family celebrate the seven days of Kwanzaa. They get together with family and have delicious food and goodies. Cute story-line.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews