Books
Kwanzaa Gets An A by Steven C. Thedford African storytelling is a tradition that has existed for centuries on the continent of Africa. Using history as a guide, Kwanzaa Gets An A tells the story about how the name of the holiday came into existence using a griot, an African Storyteller. As a result, the book was written to be an interactive experience where children participate, call and response. In other words, as the griot tells the story of Kwanzaa Gets an A, the children will respond Ashe (ah-Shay), which is a West African word that means to bring about change. Click here to buy.
Eastside Story by Steven C. Thedford In Eastside Story Egypt, a girl kept sheltered by her rich parents growing up, had no reason to care about anything besides getting her father to dance with her in the “cotillion” ball. So, when the family fell apart because of her father’s involvement with an illegal organization, she still sought him out recklessly- by deciding to be the girlfriend of a manipulative, just as reckless member of the gang- William. Well, she did eventually get her dance, but she lost everything else- the relationship she thought was true, the child she almost died to have, and herself in the process. With these regrets, she is transformed from an uncaring teenager to the force that would remorselessly help the police take the bad guys down and get her revenge!
Voted one of the five best Kwanzaa Books!!! The Kwanzaa Coloring Book(Games & Puzzles) provides children an opportunity to learn about the principles and symbols of Kwanzaa, a holiday based largely on "Umkhosi," a first fruit celebration of the Zulus in East Africa. More importantly, the new edition of the coloring book teaches children how to celebrate Kwanzaa and gain a deeper understanding of the holiday. For example, in the Mishumaa Saba activity children have to place the candles in the correct order that they are lit during the week of Kwanzaa Furthermore, children can create a Kinara by connecting dots. As a result, they create symbolic representation of their ancestors. Other unique puzzles include the Kwanzaa Puzzler, Kwanzaa Spelling, and Kwanzaa Code. These are truly exceptional games & puzzles for children. Click here to buy
Listening Landyn: Walk & Roll/Second Grade is about Landyn Mary Lin and Taylor participating in the national Walk n’ Roll program. Landyn & her friends are walking even though there are bike riders in the story. The goal of the program is to increase the number of kids who walk to school. Along the way the kids learn safe walking and biking skills like crossing the street. Landyn and her friends have several stops on their way to school, the Decatur Court House, Decatur Cemetery, a Subway Station, Decatur Square and their school. Click here to buy.
Kwansabas and Other Poems represents my interpretation of the Kwansaba, The poetic style of the Kwansaba utilizes the number seven, the numeric foundation of Kwanzaa. Thus, a Kwansaba is a heptastich, a poem of seven lines, with seven words in each line, and written with no word exceeding seven letters. The topics of the book include Black Girl Magic, education, politics, money, and climate change. Click here to buy a copy.
. New World Press Inc. released Steven Thedford's third book just in time for National Poetry Month. The book has received rave reviews and challenges readers to think-something rare in America's climate of political blandness. So, partake in a feast of words that could change the way you view the world. Click here to buy a copy.
The haiku is a traditional form of Japanese Poetry. The central act of the haiku is letting an object or event touch you, and then sharing it with another. The Haiku is also known as a word picture and the present form in America seems to be a modern development. Haikus do not have titles and
they focus on nature. Yet, it should be noted that there are other forms of haikus, such as the renga. During the pandemic of 2020 I walked in the mornings, especially around lakes. Click here to buy a copy,