I happened upon this book while looking for something different to read to my library classes of first graders. This is not your usual holiday story. Although the book may seem lengthy, the kids were engaged for the entire story. They enjoyed this book almost as much as Poppa's New Pants. I am a fan of Angela Shelf Mediaris and have read other stories by her to my classes as well. I look forward to more stories about George, Big Mama, Aunt Tiny, and Poppa.

The Seven Days of Kwanzaa by Angela Shelf Medearis is truly a great resource of Kwanzaa information. It includes easy recipes, ideas and instruction for home made Kwanzaa gifts, background information on the holiday and stories of some inspirational African Americans.
This book is a must-have for Kwanzaa enthusiasts!!

I am always trying to convey the message to my kids that each of us is given different gifts in this life and our measure of our success is how we use these gifts in life. Not all of us have curly locks or natural athletic ability, but each of us has something special.

Annie's Gifts was a gentle way to reinforce this message. It is a bit predictable, but kids love happy endings.

This is a good book to help children build self-esteem. Annieis upset that she can't make the same music that her sister andbrother can and comes to the point of giving up. Through the encouragement of others, she continues to try and discovers her own 'special gift'.

Boys and girls will love this story because it is so funny. I am 7 years old and I really enjoyed it.

I bought this book for my three year old granddaughter and she loves it !! She has pretty much memorized it. It was a childrens' book that was fun for me as well. I may buy my own copy !

The book does nothing for me, but my one-year-old gets a real kick out of it. She loves looking at babies and pointing at them and saying "baby!"

I am a storyteller and drummer, so this story is very appealing to me. It combines both. The illustrations are beautiful. This Nigerian tale is simple. It also invokes hope, that there can be a place for the artists in the world. The story is visual and can be "heard," as well, which is perfect considering it is the story of a musician. A person reading this to children could have great fun with it. It almost has the air of a Biblical story. Enjoy it! I currently have a borrowed copy. I am ordering my own for my personal collection!

I enjoyed reading your book. A friend of mine, knowning that I had written the story also, and am awaiting its printing, brought me a copy. Your illustrator is very good. I enjoyed his work. Somehow, I got the impression that Remus becomes the leader of the village. Am I correct. If so, that is not what Joplin was about. He was about female leadership. That is why she asked the question to the crowd three times in three different ways. That is also why the opera was not picked up by the publishers. Woman sufferage was a sore topic at that time, and would not have created a reason for another million dollar block buster for them. Joplin was way ahead of his time in that aspect. I have a friend whose father was in Joplin's band, and she was able to give me added insight to the man. I'm glad you did the book. Nevilla E. Ottley

the graffiti portrayed in this book is not accurately portraying graffiti as a whole and is encouraging young children to see spray-painting a wall as a crime of the highest evil. if you would like to show your children an example of "good" graffiti, you can visit one of the many graffiti sites online, such as: artcrimes.com, thescenes.com, be305.com, and many others. it is mandatory to show your children right from wrong, but it is inexusable to bad-mouth a unique, misunderstood form of art.

I give the "Spray Paint Mystery" five stars because its a great mystery.Its about a boy named Cammeron, and his friend are detectives and and they get there mystery that someone that has painted graffiti on a wall. They find a few suspects, one of them is the new kid in school , the other one is Nicky he does graffiti on art programs. Or Oscar the mean kid who is Miguels brother , or could it be the mean kid who looks like Count Dracula, and who hangs around the wall.Its a big case so thats why its a great book if you want to know more about the book READ IT !!!

Good because kids can help make the world a better place.

People looking for ideas on what to serve and gifts to give for Kwanzaa will find good suggestions in this book. The book also includes a helpful pronounciation guide for Kwanzaa terms. But I was disappointed to find two critical errors: 1) the author instructs that the green candles are placed to the left of the black candle in the Kwanza Kinara (candle holder) when it is the red candles that go to the left -- as illustrated on the book's cover. 2) The author advises that Kwanzaa feast, or Karamu, is held on the 6th day of the holiday, when it is held on the seventh and last. Everything about Kwanzaa relates to seven -- seven principles, seven symbols, seven days. DUH! Unfortunately, those key errors dampened by enthusiasm for the rest of the book.

As a fan of the Galdone version of 1977, I found this retelling unappealing. It's far too wordy - the sparse text of the 1977 version is better suited to sustaining a spooky mood. The beast is too visible (the imagination makes better monsters). I suppose some people need a happy ending to everything, but I prefer to leave my listeners with an unsettled feeling. Before you purchase this version, seek out the earlier one and make an informed decision.