# Seven Spools of Thread

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{{Infobox book
| name = Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story
| image = Seven Spools of Thread.jpg
| author = [Angela Shelf Medearis](/source/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](/source/Angela_Shelf_Medearis) with illustrations by [Daniel Minter](/source/Daniel_Minter). The book tells the story of seven [Ashanti](/source/Ashanti_people) brothers who must learn to work together, while also demonstrating the seven principles of [Kwanzaa](/source/Kwanzaa).

== About ==
''Seven Spools of Thread'' follows the story of seven [Ashanti](/source/Ashanti_people) 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](/source/gold) out of differently-colored spools of [silk](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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 Africa](/source/West_Africa)n 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](/source/Linocut) and is bright and bold.<ref name=":0" />

== Reception ==
''[Kirkus Review](/source/Kirkus_Reviews)'' wrote that the books is "beautifully designed," and that the story is "satisfying."<ref name=":1" /> ''[Publishers Weekly](/source/Publishers_Weekly)'' called the book "an entertaining story."<ref name=":2" />

''Seven Spools'' has also been reviewed by ''[Horn Book Guide Reviews](/source/The_Horn_Book_Magazine)'',<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](/source/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](/source/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'']

{{Authority control}}

Category:2000 children's books
Category:American picture books
Category:Kwanzaa
Category:Holiday-themed children's books

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Seven Spools of Thread](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Spools_of_Thread) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Spools_of_Thread?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.