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This nonfiction children's book, is based on a true story about 4 year old Jumaah's first Kwanzaa celebration at the school she attends. The story centers around her anxious anticipation of the celebration, while she waits for her five (5) year old brother, Jawwaad and her father to come home from her Aunt Clara's house; having gone there to pick up Jawwaad's dashiki to wear to the celebrati... More

This nonfiction children's book, is based on a true story about 4 year old Jumaah's first Kwanzaa celebration at the school she attends. The story centers around her anxious anticipation of the celebration, while she waits for her five (5) year old brother, Jawwaad and her father to come home from her Aunt Clara's house; having gone there to pick up Jawwaad's dashiki to wear to the celebration. Jumaah, dressed in African clothes, wearing her mother's long silver earrings, an African wrap on her head and her brown school shoes, can't wait for their return. While waiting for them, she inquires of her mother as to whether or not it is Kwanzaa yet? (title) Her mother is in the kitchen with her baby brother Jihsaan, baking a cake to take to the celebration. Her mother explains when Kwanzaa really begins and tells her that the school she attends is really having a pre-Kwanzaa celebration so that the children can experience the spirit of Kwanzaa together before the school break. Jumaah then recites the Kwanzaa principles and their meaning to her mother.

Several times throughout the story, Jumaah is distracted by the thought of waiting for her brother and her father to return from Aunt Clara's house. At one point, she thought she heard them and runs to the door, however, there is no one there. She runs upstairs to her mother's bedroom to call her Aunt Clara. The phone just rings and rings. She panics and is tearfully afraid that they will not return in time and that "Mommy will not be able to take her cake!"

The story ends with her father and brother returning in time to go to the celebration. Jumaah runs down the stairs to greet them and one of her school shoes flies off her foot. The story ends with the shout "Umoja!" (unity) as they leave for the Kwanzaa celebration.

There is a Kwanzaa crossword puzzle at the end of the book and an about the characters section.

It is for ages 2 to 6.

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