Brewer, Kwasi Asare, and Holmes weave a vibrant folktale in which kente cloth prompts an exploration of artistry’s cultural value. In a “hip” metropolis, spider weavers craft kente, a “talking cloth” that “tells a wonderful story.” When the residents, including Chief Griot Anansi, begin to favor cheap machine-made fabric, the weavers abandon their looms, causing the once thriving city to lose its color and its verve. After relying on trickery to solve the crisis fails, Anansi, upon his wife’s suggestion, gathers the city together in song and celebration, publicly honoring the artisans whose work sustains the community’s spirit. Layered, lengthy verse emphasizes collaboration over cleverness, while illustrations rich with patterned textiles and silhouetted brown-skinned human and spider residents leverage the feel of intricate textiles. Steeped in Ghanaian culture and storytelling traditions, this is a thoughtful tribute to the enduring importance of honoring creative labor. Back matter includes creators’ notes.
—Publishers Weekly
