This is the story of seven brothers in Ghana, that always argued with one another. Upon their father's death, they learn that their inheritance will be divided evenly between them. But, in order to receive the inheritance, they must work together and "learn how to make gold out of these spools of silk thread." They decided to weave the thread together, to create a beautiful, patterned cloth. Then, they sold their cloth in exchange for gold. In order to help the poor people of their village, they decide to "teach them how to turn thread into gold." In the pages preceding the story, the author, Angela Shelf Medearis, provides information about the holiday Kwanzaa, and its seven principles. The story was written to embody the principles: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, co-operative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Medearis' story shows what can happen when people work together. It is written as a kind of folk tale, and illustrated beautifully. Illustrator Daniel Minter created artwork from linoleum block prints. Each illustration shows the seven sons, wearing bright red garments that reveal their strong arms and dark skin. Their faces are not seen, but, instead, are like silhouettes. The sun shines in each picture, and and readers can almost feel its heat. Children who are learning about Kwanzaa can benefit from this story, as can any child. ( )

This story is about seven brothers that can’t get along about anything. After their mother died, their father was forced to do everything on his own. The brothers still couldn’t get along either though their father needed help with the running the house. One day their father died and they are told that if they couldn’t come up with a way of turning seven spools of thread into gold without fighting in one day then they would be forced to live on the streets and the poor would get all of their fathers belongs.

This story had a good lesson behind it. If people would just take the time to work together and not fight they would make better things and they could come up with a better idea with getting other peoples points of views. I also liked the fact that it showed that family is important and that no matter what they are family they should try to get along and understand where the other person is coming from.

We will talk about others ways to turn thread into gold. We could try to make the colorful cloth that is talked about in the story. In the back of the book they give directions for an easy way to make the cloth.

One of the best iterations of Kwanzaa as a modern folktale.