Seven Candles for Kwanzaa

Narrated by Alfre Woodard, Seven Candles for Kwanzaa is an iconographic adaptation of the 1993 picture book written by Andrea Davis Pinkney and beautifully illustrated by Brian Pinkney. Using minimal enhancement and less narrative structure, the program is a nevertheless impressive factual introduction to Kwanzaa, focusing on the vocabulary native to this American holiday as embodied in the various rituals, feasts, and festivities. Held from Dec. 26th through Jan. 1st, Kwanzaa literally means the "first fruits of harvest." The video introduces viewers to the muhindi (corn, one ear for each child), the exchanging of zawadi (handmade gifts), and the lighting of the seven candles of the kinara (wooden candle holder) which signify the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Nicely done, overall, this is recommended. However, Holidays for Children: Kwanzaa (see Holidays for Children: Ramadan in VL-1/97) is more comprehensive at half the price. Aud: K, E, I, P. (R. Pitman)