As an agency, Bridgetown Baby is deeply committed to tackling bias ourselves, building our skills, and creating an inclusive model of care that truly serves our clients and contributes to culture change. This is work we can all do. It starts with us; it continues with our children – and we are their most important teachers. Each month, we’ll share resources for talking to kids about prejudice, celebrating differences, and actions our families can take to create a world we can live in.
Have you noticed the Christmas carols floating around retail establishments at seemingly earlier and earlier dates each year? If you have – and chances are even if you haven’t – it’s hard to escape the dominance of Christmas during the US winter season.
However, looking past Christmas, Kwanzaa is just around the corner. Kwanzaa is growing in recognition and as a practice among African American families – by some accounts, it is the fastest growing holiday in the world (1). This seven-day winter holiday, based on the harvest festival traditions of west and southeast Africa, begins on December 26th and brings a focus on unity, heritage, and community.
The Sound of Kwanzaa leads the reader through the seven principles of Kwanzaa. For families just learning about Kwanzaa, Dimitrea Tokunbo’s lilting prose will draw the youngest readers into the joy of Kwanzaa. If your family celebrates Kwanzaa, your little readers may find themselves reflected in Lisa Cohen’s bright and charming illustrations.
Whether you celebrate Kwanzaa, Christmas, Hanukkah, something else, or nothing at all, we wish you peace as the year draws to a close!
