Dallas Children’s Theater Highlights Kwanzaa

This holiday season, Dallas Children’s Theater (DCT) has been providing families with a chance to learn more about December holidays/celebrations and the children’s book authors who have written about them. Following the spotlight of local Dallas author Nancy Churnin’s children’s books: Irving Berlin:  The Immigrant Boy Who Made America Sing and The Queen and the First Christmas Tree, the theater is now highlighting author Donna L. Washington’s book L’il Rabbit’s Kwanzaa.

The free Zoom show will be live at 2 PM on Sunday, December 27.  This show includes singalongs, author Q&As and a feature on the hero’s culture. To register, interested persons can go to dct.org/heroes.

In the show, author Donna L. Washington’s beautiful children’s book L’il Rabbits’ Kwanzaa will help everyone understand the origins of Kwanzaa.  Local griot, Afiah Bey, will be on hand to guide us through some songs with DCT actress and teaching artist Alyssa Cavazos designing some fun brain exercises to help us remember key concepts.

“Why have an African American inspired celebration?” Author Donna L. Washington says of Kwanzaa on her blog. “African Americans have been an integral part of the history of America since the beginning.  Despite that, there are no national celebrations that recognize the contributions of African Americans to our country.  There have been and still are African American inventors, soldiers, entrepreneurs, cowboys, farmers, firemen, and America even had a black president.”

She added, “Kwanzaa is a truly American celebration. It is based on First Fruits celebrations in different parts of Africa, but it is not like any of them.”

Families interested in learning more about this non-religious holiday can go to the website to register for this final zoom or click here:

L’il Rabbit’s Kwanzaa by Donna L. Washington

Register for the third HEROES FOR THE PAGES Zoom here.

To watch the HEROES FOR THE PAGES feature on Irving Berlin: The Immigrant Boy Who Made America Sing, go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHGhk_wiAPw&feature=youtu.be

To watch the HEROES FOR THE PAGES feature on The Queen and the First Christmas Tree:  Queen Charlotte’s Gift to England, go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wal2j6mkYVg&feature=youtu.be

About Donna L. Washington

Donna L. Washington is a professional storyteller, multiple-award-winning recording artist, and author. She performs all over the country at festivals, schools, and libraries and gives workshops for parents and educators as well. Her many storytelling recordings have received Gold and Silver Parents’ Choice Awards, Storytelling World Awards, iParenting Awards, Children’s Music Web Awards, National Parenting Publications Awards Honors, and many more. Ms. Washington lives with her husband, two children, and two cats in Durham, North Carolina. You can visit her online at www.dlwstoryteller.com.