KWANZAA GETS AN A

A griot gathers with a group of children to explain why Kwanzaa is spelled with two A’s in Thedford’s picture book.

Seated in a children’s area of a library, several “children (watoto)” cry out for a griot to repeat the story of Kwanzaa. The griot’s introduction invites readers to participate in a call-and-response as the story proceeds. Every sentence rhymes with the griot’s refrain (“Ashe”), which is effective when reading aloud. However, some events at the heart of the story are only alluded to euphemistically; the 1965 Watts riots account offers few details about its instigating events or how it changed the communities affected. Kwanzaa creator Maulana Karenga’s interest in introducing Black Americans to sub-Saharan West African history and culture isn’t contextualized alongside other American efforts at reclaiming West African tradition, so his place as part of a cultural movement is obscured. The griot does provide a promised explanation for Kwanzaa’s spelling. What his story particularly drives home, though, is the importance of community. Illustrator Kern’s flat, bright colors add uneven visual appeal; some spreads, such as one featuring figurative characters bearing symbols of Kwanzaa, are effective and beautiful, but other pages lack cohesive composition. The Black children depicted have a variety of brown skin tones.

An introductory Kwanzaa story with a useful oral storytelling device.