Happy Holidays Week, Day 2: Hello, everyone! Our book today is Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa, written by Donna L. Washington and illustrated by Shane W. Evans, a sweet tale about a rabbit who learns the true meaning of the Nguzo Saba, or Seven Principles of Kwanzaa.

L’il Rabbit is not having the best Kwanzaa; he simply can’t find a good way to contribute to the celebrations like his parents or siblings. To make matters worse, his mother is busy caring for his sick Granna Rabbit, so she won’t have time to make the Karamu, a traditional Kwanzaa feast. Feeling sad, L’il Rabbit decides to place all his energy into finding a special gift to give his Granna, and sets off on a search for something that may make her feel better, along the way learning about the power of community, kindness, and faith.

Okay, to be frank, everything I knew about Kwanzaa I had learned from a half-forgotten episode of The Proud Family I watched when I was a kid, so I was looking forward to a refresher, and to encouraging JJ to learn about the holidays and traditions of others. Fortunately, this book is perfect for that! The story is sweet and has a wonderful message, all while showing the Seven Principles through the characters’ actions. The length is good for baby bookworms, perhaps bordering on a bit long for the youngest readers, but JJ had no problems, so not too bad. The simple illustrations are very cute and full of personality, and most importantly, the book embodies the principles and spirit of Kwanzaa while educating about the holiday itself. Baby Bookworm approved!