Soulful Holidays: An inclusive rhyming story celebrating the joys of Christmas and Kwanzaa is a children's book by Ciara L Hill. Christmas is a happy and exciting time of the year. With music, special foods, family gatherings, and lots of music, there is a lot to enjoy. But, for many families, there are other celebrations during the Yuletide season. For African-American families, there’s Kwanzaa, a seven-day event that begins on December 26th. It’s a celebration of community, family, and culture; for many, it is a great way to reconnect with African ancestry and heritage.

Ciara L Hill’s picture book story, Soulful Holidays, is a great way for families to share the Yuletide festivities of both Christmas and Kwanzaa. The author provides an inclusive look at both festivals and leads the reader, with lyrical rhyming verse, through the two big festivals that fill the Yuletide season. The author includes favorite foods of both festivities, special music, cultural decorations, traditional costumes, stories, and so much more. The bold, colorful illustrations also reflect on African-American art and culture, allowing readers of all cultures to learn and appreciate the values and memories these holidays and festivities provide. Both holidays weigh deeply on a person’s soul, with heartwarming sincerity and compassion. The biggest, most important element of each holiday is the family togetherness time and the memories both created and shared. While the story leads young readers through reminiscences of past holidays, it also encourages them to create new, equally exciting memories. This book is a classic to be enjoyed by everyone, a very soulful book.

Soulful Holidays: An inclusive rhyming story celebrating the joys of Christmas and Kwanzaa by Ciara L Hill teaches young children about both celebrations' food, songs, and cultural decorations. The author says her book is for “families who honor one or both of these incredible holidays,” and she describes in detail how families engage in these celebrations. Hill supplies a link for free downloadable resources for parents and teachers, such as Literacy Lesson Plans and a “pledge certificate” that encourages children to welcome diversity and yet be true to themselves. Hill doesn’t say what ages she intends her book for, but it would be appropriate for any child when they first want to be read to, right up to grade school level. Christian Krabbe illustrates the book.

I enjoyed reading Soulful Holidays by Ciara L Hill. Although it’s a children’s book, I’m sure other adults will enjoy it too. I learned some interesting facts about Kwanzaa, including the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa. Children will enjoy the book’s pleasant rhyming and become more educated about both Christmas and Kwanzaa. I liked that the author provided a page for children to draw a picture of their family. That kind of interaction will help children become involved, which in turn will further teach them and help them remember the information the book conveys. The illustrations by Christian Krabbe are beautiful and fit the story perfectly; in fact, they help tell the story. I highly recommend Ciara L Hill’s wonderful book about Christmas and Kwanzaa.