SEVEN CANDLES FOR KWANZAA

While holiday books for children abound, there seem to be too few that have an audio component. The seven-day festival of Kwanzaa, celebrated in December, lends itself to the read-along format with the Pinkneys' appealing picture book. Alfre Woodard introduces the African-American holiday and reads the story by Andrea Davis Pinkney. Clearly enunciating the African words for the foods, gifts and elements of the celebration, Woodard projects a welcoming tone that any listener can share. Traditional African music accompanies the tape--one side with page-turn signals, one without--but remains appropriately in the background. The vivid colors and contrasts of the illustrations make the picture book a standout, but the recording is nicely effective alone. R.F.W. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC/JAN 99]