Merry Everything and Happy Whatever!
December is upon us, people, and with it, I have two more weeks until winter break. I'm doing my best to resist frantically shopping. The jury is still out on whether my plan to shop local and take advantage of sales as the holidays get closer is foolhardy.
Our local schools are currently chewing their way through the multi-cultural holiday curriculum, something I'm thrilled about. At least, I was thrilled, until yesterday, when my event-planning six year old came home with stars in her eyes.
"Mom! When are you going to get out the Christmas decorations? What sort of hors d'oeuvres should we serve for Hanukkah? Do you know any songs about New Year's Eve? Can we have a Solstice feast? What about Kwanzaa?"
Indeed. What about Kwanzaa?
As a secular Christmas family (although we do read books about the Baby Jesus,) and someone who merely gives a mental high-five as the Solstice passes and the days begin to lengthen, I'm not sure what to do about Kwanzaa. Or Hanukkah, for that matter. I suspect New Year's Eve will pass with my husband and I in our pajamas, debating whether it's cheating to go to bed before the stroke of midnight like we did last year.
Does anyone have any recommendations of children's books that we could read together to learn more about Kwanzaa and Hanukkah? I've got the Solstice covered - I think we'll have a special breakfast to celebrate the start of the solar year.
I love that she's all about celebrating, and really, do we ever get enough celebrations? I also love to encourage the kids to respect other people's beliefs and to ask questions - what better way to learn than during a joyful time. Now, if I can just keep the dinner courses to a minimum and the guest list to under 50...
Comments
we have My First Kwanzaa Book. No, really, we do! Author is Deborah M. Newton Chocolate. Scholastic puts it out. Look up Nguzo Saba (the seven principles of Kwanzaa).
Umojo (Unity) We help each other
Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) We decide things for ourselves
Umija (Collective Work and Responsibility) We work together to make life better
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) We build and support our own businesses
Nia (Purpose) We have a reason for living
Kuumba (Creativity) We use our minds and hands to make things
Imani (Faith) We believe in ourselves, our ancestors and our future
*your format won't let me space this nice. I'm too much of a control freak to not point that out... :-)*
hths.
xoxo
Posted by: steph | December 2, 2005 12:55 PM
Well, I'm no help here. Am I ever? I'm not quite sure when I will have helpful advice.. still waiting on that big post. But up until this year, my niece went to a Jewish Temple for school (we aren't Jewish) so she taught us new things for the holidays!!
I'm sure just one whopper of a search on Amazon would narrow it down to about 10,000 choices?
Posted by: holli | December 2, 2005 3:06 PM
sammy spiders first hanukkah is always a good one and not too long either!
merry chrismahanukkwazakah!
Posted by: steph | December 2, 2005 3:38 PM
I love that you want to celebrate or at least recognize all the holidays! (and what fun for everyone)
Posted by: Margaret | December 2, 2005 6:53 PM
As a Jewish woman married to a man who was raised Christian, we are compelled to celebrate two holidays every December, with trees, menorahs, and TOO MANY PRESENTS -- and oh, how I wish we only had to deal with ONE. I have one spoiled daughter. (And this year, Chanukah and Christmas arrive at the same time. Oh joy.)
Don't have any book suggestions for you -- but will take a look around the synagogue library to see what they've got.
Posted by: Donna | December 2, 2005 7:09 PM
As the temple librarian... (and not Jewish myself but the husband and kids are) I could give you a list the length of my arm of great Hanukkah books. Your kids are fairly young so the Sammy Spider one is good. Also look for anything by Eric Kimmel. He has a billion out and they're all fabulous. The Chanukkah Guest, The Borrowed Latkes, goodness, I can't even think of them all and I don't really have a favorite yet. There is even a Rugrats Hanukkah book and video to choose from. E-mail me if you want more specific help.
Posted by: MoMMY | December 3, 2005 9:24 AM
Hye, sounds like you have got some god suggestions for book, my Kindergartners last year really enjoyed making latkaes and learning all about Hanukkah, there are so many great books out there. I am sure your local library can help you out. As for Kwannza, I found that much of the litertature was above the heads of my class and so I opted for internet resources instead - sometime throwing teaching materials inot the query helps
Posted by: Justine | December 6, 2005 2:17 PM