Once Upon a Kwanzaa

”… a great introduction to Kwanzaa for your little ones.“–Philadelphia MetroKids
”… this book is recommended for all collections, and encourages families to teach small children about Kwanzaa.“–School Library Journal
“Williams and McCall pen an accessible introduction to Kwanzaa’s tenets in this vibrant celebration of African American community, culture, and heritage. Framed around the Nguzo Saba–the seven guiding principles–contextualizing lines invite young readers to explore the concepts…Cloud’s heavily populated illustrations portray joyful intergenerational gatherings, including a striking spread of ancestors looking on from the clouds, across this celebratory and informational resource.”–Publishers Weekly
“This celebration of Kwanzaa explores the seven defining principles of the annual observation…vibrant, detailed, and busy illustrations show a multiethnic and variously abled cast of characters enjoying each evening, whether coming together as a community to celebrate the first night of unity at a local farmers’ market or kids and adults sitting around a table happily making crafts in observance of the sixth night, creativity.”–Booklist
“This age-appropriate primer offers a vibrant perspective on values many all over the world have long held while offering newcomers a refreshingly inviting seat at that kinara-lit table.”–Kirkus Reviews

Nyasha Williams grew up living intermittently between the United States and South Africa. As a kindergarten teacher, she was inspired to continue work as an author, creator, and activist after reading her first book to her class when one of her Black students told her that mermaids could not be Black. Williams kickstarted her first picture book, What’s the Commotion in the Ocean, starring a Black mermaid who spreads a message of marine conservation. She is the author of four picture books with Running Press Kids, including the bestselling I Affirm Me, and is the author of RP Studio’s Black Tarot, as well as a board book series with Harpercollins.

Sidney Rose McCall is an historian and community intellectual who combines her academic work with her activism. Though the pandemic saw her complete her Masters in Applied Social Science far from the classroom, she turned her eyes to the community, building a platform through Patreon where she continues to share decolonized history lessons and virtual discussions. She also joined the Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community, Inc. as a student-docent at the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts and now serves as a member of their Academic Committee for the ZORA! Festival of the Arts and Humanities. Ms. McCall hopes to work alongside community bridge builders to bring integrative stories into our creative spaces of resilience and resistance.

Sawyer Cloud is a freelance artist from Madagascar. Her passion for kids’ literature pushed her to turn it into a living. Sawyer loves sunny days and music. She dreams of owning a small cottage and traveling the world. She still lives in her native country, Madagascar, with her family and her two pets, Arya the dog and Potter the cat.

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