Kwanzaa. (children's bookshelf).

Kwanzaa by A.P. Porter, Illustrations by Janice Lee Porter Carolhoda Books, Inc., 1991, ISBN 0-87614-545-4

"Kwanzaa is an African American holiday. Kwanzaa honors black people and their history."

"Habari gani? What's the news?" The answer: A.P and Janice Lee Porters' book Kwanzaa. For the most part it's good news. With straightforward, thorough and well organized information about this 35 year African American cultural holiday, Kwanzaa is a children's kwanzaa primer. The illustrations are warm, welcoming and a great compliment to the text. While learning about the holiday, the children also learn about the historical reasons--slavery, our African heritage, segregation and self-determination - that have inspired the creation of Kwanzaa.

At times, however, the language in the sections discussing history is strong and too direct for children or adults. Sentences with negative overtones like: "Some people hate African Americans. They think that black Americans do not deserve the same rights as other Americans;" may possibly counter the empowering efforts of the book.

In many ways it is Kwanzaa founder, Dr. Maulana Karenga's original text simplified and illustrated for children.