One title is for young readers and the other is for middle grade, but both books share the importance of the cultural holiday that begins on December 26 and has been celebrated since 1966.

Agostini, Alliah L. The Kwanzaa Story: Celebrating Culture Through Community illus. by Olivia Smith H. Quarto/becker&mayer! ISBN 9780760399323.
Gr 3-7–Readers travel through history and into the current celebrations of the Kwanzaa holiday. Starting with a brief dip into the Watts Rebellion of 1965 before jumping back to a time before slavery and then continuing up through the Civil Rights Movement, this book does not shy away from the difficult realities of Black history. Despite the pain of those times, Agostini keeps her audience in mind, and presents difficult material in an approachable way. Throughout the story, important Black historical figures and their contributions to society are featured. Readers will get an in-depth look at the Black Power organization US, which was inspired to research and create the Kwanzaa holiday. Agostini presents the symbols included in Kwanzaa celebrations, the ideals on which it is founded, and the way it spread from a small group in Los Angeles across the entire nation. Through pleasing digital illustrations, bright colors combine well with simple linework and creative shading to bring a large cast of characters, both historical and modern, to life. VERDICT A thorough and accessible explanation of the history, meaning, and celebration of Kwanzaa.–Virginia Pine

Williams, Nyasha & Sidney Rose McCall. Once Upon a Kwanzaa. illus. by Sawyer Cloud. 32p. Running Pr. Sept. 2025. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780762487356.
PreS-Gr 3–This introduction to Kwanzaa emphasizes the core of the holiday—family, community, and cultural celebration—and the illustrations reinforce this. The first few pages show how to prepare for Kwanzaa, with a woven mat, candles, maize and fruit, drumming, a libation statement, and handmade gifts. Then the remainder of the book shows seven different BIPOC families, with delightful differences in skin tone, hair style, abilities, and clothing choices, each celebrating a specific principle of Kwanzaa. Each principle is explained in the text with an example of celebration. Families are shown in a variety of colorful settings, each member joyfully dancing, swimming, cooking, and connecting with the others. The book ends with encouragement to use the holiday’s seven principles as a guide in action and while growing community. Though focused on the holiday of Kwanzaa, the work invites deeper conversations about slavery, the Middle Passage, rebellion, and civil rights. A Swahili glossary and pronunciation guide are included. VERDICT Though the rhyming is sometimes clunky, this book is recommended for all collections, and encourages families to teach small children about Kwanzaa.–Maggie Mason Smith

More SLJ reviews of titles about Kwanzaa: 5 Kwanzaa Books and Audiobooks for Young Readers