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My First Kwanzaa (My First Holiday) Paperback – Picture Book, October 14, 2014
Purchase options and add-ons
A simple way to get acquainted with Kwanzaa.
"Hooray! Hooray!
It's time to get ready for Kwanzaa."
During the seven days of Kwanzaa, we celebrate the importance of family, friends, and community. This warm and lively introduction to a very special holiday will help even the youngest children join in!
Author and illustrator Karen Katz's wonderful series of picture books for the very young offer a simple and fun way to get familiar with the traditions of holiday celebrations from different cultures.
- Print length32 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade levelPreschool - Kindergarten
- Lexile measureAD580L
- Dimensions8 x 0.1 x 8.95 inches
- PublisherSquare Fish
- Publication dateOctober 14, 2014
- ISBN-101250050464
- ISBN-13978-1250050465
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“The perfect introduction to Kwanza for the younger set.” ―Black Issues Book Review
“The specifics, the simple words, and the active pictures combine to convey the wider sense of community that is the essence of the holiday.” ―Booklist
“A solid, sweet, and meaty choice for holiday reading.” ―Kirkus Reviews
“The simple text and colorful folkloric illustrations with vivid patterns make this a good book to share with young children.” ―School Library Journal
“The tale radiates warmth and quietly builds up to the dramatic dragon dance and the traditional greeting of ‘Gung Hay Fat Choy!' The collage illustrations, cut from paper with colorful Asian designs, also include paint and other media to capture the joyful celebrants. This is a clear introduction to the holiday that young children will enjoy in one-on-one or group read-alouds.” ―School Library Journal on My First Chinese New Year
“This one's a winner.” ―Kirkus Reviews on My First Chinese New Year
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Square Fish; Reprint edition (October 14, 2014)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 32 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1250050464
- ISBN-13 : 978-1250050465
- Reading age : 2 - 5 years, from customers
- Lexile measure : AD580L
- Grade level : Preschool - Kindergarten
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 8 x 0.1 x 8.95 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #269,108 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Check out my newest book WIGGLE YOUR TOES! A Book to pull,fluff, and wiggle!
I have always been interested in folk art from around the world, Indian miniatures, Mexican ceramics, fabrics, Chagall, Matisse, children's art, and primitive painting, and I love to paint and experiment with pattern, texture, collage and color. The careers I've had--as a costume designer, a quilt maker, a fabric artist, and a graphic designer--have taken all these interests into account. Looking back, I can see that these passions and career choices have played a large part in influencing me to become a children's book author and illustrator.
But most importantly, it was after my husband and I adopted our daughter from Guatemala that I was inspired to do a children's book for her. My first book, Over the Moon, was the story of that magical experience of welcoming our daughter Lena into our lives. I painted, I drew, I collaged, and I wrote, and after working very hard... a beautiful book was born! Twenty-two books later, my daughter--now fourteen years old--still is an inspiration for me.
I am fascinated by babies and little kids. The simplest words and gestures can make them laugh. Sometimes standing in line at the supermarket and watching kids in grocery carts, my best ideas are born.
I am fascinated by people from all over the world and what they look like and how they live and the differences that make us all unique.
When an idea pops into my head I ask these questions:
Will a child want to read this book?
Will a parent want to read this book with their child?
Will this book make a parent and child feel something?
Is there something visual here that will hold a child's interest?
Will a child see something in a different way after reading this book?
If the answer is yes, then I know I'm on the right track.
I am very lucky to get to do what I do. Everyday I go into my studio and have fun. Don't get me wrong, some days are very frustrating. Sometimes the colors are all wrong and the words don't sound right. But after I work at it for a while...and try to do it a different way...and think...and change the words or colors...and try some more...suddenly, there it is--a great page of writing, or a great illustration. And nothing is more satisfying than that.
Customer reviews
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To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find this book a great introduction to Kwanzaa for young children. It provides well-understood information about the principles and symbols of the holiday in a simple and engaging way. The writing and illustrations are simple enough for young readers to understand, with bright colors and beautiful pictures. The book provides examples of how to celebrate the holiday from a child's perspective, which helps spark ideas for families.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find this book a great introduction to Kwanzaa for young children. It's easy for them to read and understand, with simple illustrations that preschoolers enjoy. Many consider it an essential addition to a child's collection and a perfect teaching tool for all ages.
"The books is very easy to read with bright color illustrations. Perfect for a toddler." Read more
"...credentials, I must tell you this is the best book for children, of all ages, about Kwanzaa. It explains it simply and perfectly. No gobidlygook...." Read more
"All around must have book in a child’s collection , easy to read a young baby or child , beautifully done" Read more
"...side bars provide background information that will help adults teach children about Kwanzaa...." Read more
Customers find the book informative and easy for young children to understand. It explains Kwanzaa principles and symbols in a simple way that keeps them engaged. The book is described as an educational resource that provides a good lesson on the holiday.
"...It explains it simply and perfectly. No gobidlygook. It is wonderful." Read more
"...The writing and the visual was simple and comprehendible for a bunch of 4 year olds. Which basically was the point of my purchase...." Read more
"...Moreover, it explains all of the principles and symbols of the Kwanzaa...." Read more
"My kids and I enjoyed this but it was well knowledgeable were little ones to understand" Read more
Customers find the book easy to read and understand for young children. The writing and visuals are simple enough to not overwhelm them. The illustrations are nice and well-done.
"The books is very easy to read with bright color illustrations. Perfect for a toddler." Read more
"...The writing and the visual was simple and comprehendible for a bunch of 4 year olds. Which basically was the point of my purchase...." Read more
"All around must have book in a child’s collection , easy to read a young baby or child , beautifully done" Read more
"...enough to keep the 5 yr old engaged and ask questions but simple enough to not overwhelm the 2 1/2 yr old...." Read more
Customers like the color scheme of the book. They say it's easy to read with bright illustrations and beautiful pictures.
"The books is very easy to read with bright color illustrations. Perfect for a toddler." Read more
"I enjoyed reading My First Kwanzaa, a colorful children's book that will bring smiles to your child's face...." Read more
"This is a great introduction to Kwanzaa for children. Beautiful pictures too." Read more
Customers find the book provides a good introduction to Kwanzaa for young children. It offers examples of how to celebrate the holiday from a child's perspective. The book also sparks ideas for families to celebrate the holiday together.
"...It provides examples of how to celebrate the holiday from a child's prospective, but it will also evoke some ideas for your own family...." Read more
"...This book was a great first look into the Kwanzaa holiday for this age group...." Read more
"...Kwanzaa is a pretty complex holiday. Karen Katz teaches it to a level of understanding for K-2 perfectly!" Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2023The books is very easy to read with bright color illustrations. Perfect for a toddler.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2019I have been a librarian for 7 years. I have won national acclaim twice and was nominated for Disney Teacher of the Year. With those credentials, I must tell you this is the best book for children, of all ages, about Kwanzaa. It explains it simply and perfectly. No gobidlygook. It is wonderful.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2019I bought this book to teach my Pre K class about Kwanzaa. The writing and the visual was simple and comprehendible for a bunch of 4 year olds. Which basically was the point of my purchase. It came on time and in perfect condition. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to teach their child(red) about Kwanzaa.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2022All around must have book in a child’s collection , easy to read a young baby or child , beautifully done
- Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2008I enjoyed reading My First Kwanzaa, a colorful children's book that will bring smiles to your child's face. It provides examples of how to celebrate the holiday from a child's prospective, but it will also evoke some ideas for your own family. Moreover, it explains all of the principles and symbols of the Kwanzaa. In addition, the side bars provide background information that will help adults teach children about Kwanzaa. I highly recommend this book for any parent who wants to celebrate Kwanzaa.
[...]
- Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2021My kids and I enjoyed this but it was well knowledgeable were little ones to understand
- Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2013I ordered this book to go along with a holiday activity I do with my boys (2 1/2 and 5yrs) to learn about different traditions around the holidays. This book was a great first look into the Kwanzaa holiday for this age group. It was detailed just enough to keep the 5 yr old engaged and ask questions but simple enough to not overwhelm the 2 1/2 yr old. The illustrations are wonderful and really add to the story entertainment factor. They took it to Grammie and Grampies to share so that means it was a success! :)
- Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2022Great book for our Preschool class
Top reviews from other countries
- A.B.Reviewed in Canada on January 23, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for Preschoolers
Read this book to children from 3 to 6 years old. Easy to understand and great illustrations.
- JReviewed in Canada on November 8, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good
It isnt an amazing story, but a good book to inform kids of other traditions in December. I used it in my classroom.
- NewMom1520Reviewed in Canada on February 14, 2015
5.0 out of 5 stars Great teaching book for parent and child.
This book is beautifully illustrated. It taught me and my 3.5 year old what Kwanzaa was all about. Now she is repeating back to me some of the stuff in the book.
- RomyReviewed in Canada on October 20, 2018
4.0 out of 5 stars The representations of Africans
I love it and my children absolutely love the book!