{{Infobox book | name = Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story | image = Seven Spools of Thread.jpg | author = Angela Shelf Medearis | language = English | genre = Picture book | published = 2000 | publisher = Albert Whitman and Company | isbn = 9780807573150 }}
'''''Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story''''' is a picture book published in 2000 and written by Angela Shelf Medearis with illustrations by Daniel Minter. The book tells the story of seven Ashanti brothers who must learn to work together, while also demonstrating the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
== About == ''Seven Spools of Thread'' follows the story of seven Ashanti brothers who constantly fight, argue and bicker with one another.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/angela-shelf-medearis/seven-spools-of-thread/|title=Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story|website=Kirkus Reviews|access-date=7 December 2017}}</ref> When their father dies, he leaves them with the instructions to make gold out of differently-colored spools of silk thread by sundown, or they will have to leave their home.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last=Deveraux|first=Elizabeth|date=25 September 2000|title=Seven Spools of Thread (Book Review)|url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lfh&AN=3612721&site=ehost-live|journal=Publishers Weekly|volume=247|issue=39|pages=66|url-access=subscription |via=EBSCOhost}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15630453/clarionledger/|title=Christmas, Kwanzaa Books Reflect Spirit of the Season|last=McAulay Grimes|first=Judy|date=2001-12-23|work=Clarion-Ledger|access-date=2017-12-07|pages=64|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The sons are able to work together in the end and learn to weave multi-colored cloth together that they sell for gold.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15631870/democrat_and_chronicle/|title=Season's Readings|last=Kraus|first=Nancy|date=2000-12-17|work=Democrat and Chronicle|access-date=2017-12-07|pages=35|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Later, they teach others how to make the cloth and the economy of the town prospers by selling fabric.<ref name=":4" /> The story itself is also an origin story for the creation of Kente cloth, as imagined by the author, Angela Shelf Medearis.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=http://ew.com/article/2016/12/07/best-childrens-books-christmas-hanukkah-kwanzaa/|title=Best Children's Books for the Holidays|last=Clark|first=Noelene|date=7 December 2016|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=2017-12-07|language=en}}</ref>
The seven principles of Kwanzaa are woven subtly through the story and explained more thoroughly in Medearis' author's note.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Taylor|first=Tracy|date=October 2000|title=Seven Spools of Thread (Book Review)|url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f5h&AN=3645295&site=ehost-live|journal=School Library Journal|volume=46|issue=10|pages=65|url-access=subscription |via=EBSCOhost}}</ref> In addition to information about Kwanzaa, Medearis also describes West African cloth weaving at the end of the book and includes instructions for making a belt.<ref name=":0" /> The art in the story was created using linoleum-block printing and is bright and bold.<ref name=":0" />
== Reception == ''Kirkus Review'' wrote that the books is "beautifully designed," and that the story is "satisfying."<ref name=":1" /> ''Publishers Weekly'' called the book "an entertaining story."<ref name=":2" />
''Seven Spools'' has also been reviewed by ''Horn Book Guide Reviews'',<ref>{{cite book |url=https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/item/show/155559082 |title=Seven Spools of Thread |via=kcls.bibliocommons |isbn=9780807573150 |access-date=December 14, 2017 |last1=Medearis |first1=Angela Shelf |date=2000 |publisher=Albert Whitman }}</ref> ''Booklist'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://catalog.wccls.org/polaris/search/title.aspx?ctx=1.1033.0.0.6&pos=2 |title=''Seven spools of thread: a Kwanzaa story'' |website=catalog.wccls.org |accessdate=December 14, 2017}}</ref> and the ''Chicago Tribune''.<ref>{{cite news |author=Mary Harris Russell |date=December 17, 2000 |title=Ages 7-10 years SEVEN SPOOLS OF THREAD: A Kwanzaa... |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2000/12/17/ages-7-10-yearsseven-spools-of-thread-a/ |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |access-date=December 14, 2017}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{Portal|Children's literature}} * [https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/43365775 Library holdings of ''Seven Spools of Thread'']
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Category:2000 children's books Category:American picture books Category:Kwanzaa Category:Holiday-themed children's books