4 stars 🌟

*I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. This doesn't affect my opinion, rating or review. Thank you to NetGalley, Charlesbridge and the author for the ARC.

One of the new soft-reading-goals I set for 2026 was to read some books where I learnt something new, and another was to attemp to start a "reading around the world" challenge where I would read different perspectives from around the globe, and Anansi and the Talking Cloth managed to meet both of them.

Before I picked this up, I knew nothing about the legendary African mythology of Anansi and when I started reading this, I went down a rabbit hole of watching different videos and articles to understand this better. It is incredibly fascinating, and I would urge you to do the same!

The book itself is quite good, the illustrations are gorgeous, and the writing is pretty good. My only complaint is I found the rhyme to be a bit forced in some places, but perhaps a younger audience will enjoy this more.

Overall, I think this will be a great starting point for children (and adults) on African mythology, and a great book in general. Definitely worth the read.

Publication Date: 25th August, 2026


#Book 81 of 2026.
#Book 1 for Reading Around the World Challenge 2026- Country: Ghana, Africa .


Review written on 12th June, 2026.

DISCLAIMER-All opinions on books I’ve read and reviewed are my own, and are with no intention to offend anyone. If you feel offended by my reviews, let me know how I can fix it.

How I Rate-
1 star- Hardly liked anything/ was disappointed
2 star- Had potential but did not deliver/ was disappointed
3 stars- Was ok but could have been better/ was average / Enjoyed a lot but something was missing
4 stars- Loved a lot but something was missing
5 stars- Loved it/ new favourite

Brewer’s amazing tale has Anansi reviving a kente weaving village after factory knockoffs shake their spirit. Ekua Holmes’ collage art bursts with pattern; the afterword deepens cultural roots. Still, a joyful read celebrating skill, beauty, and Ghanaian storytelling.

A beautiful retelling of an Anansi story with a powerful message about community, gratitude and valuing skilled craftspeople. The vibrant collage illustrations are stunning and celebrate the colours and patterns of Ghanaian kente cloth throughout.

I loved how the story introduces children to Ghanaian culture in an engaging and accessible way, while the detailed notes at the back provide fascinating information about Anansi tales and the history of kente weaving. This would be a wonderful addition to classrooms, supporting learning about traditional tales, diversity and cultures around the world.

A rich, thoughtful story that sparks both curiosity and discussion.

Anansi and the Talking Cloth showcases a new Anansi story, one where the weavers lose their sense of community and purpose when the commercial textiles begin taking over. The kente, a symbol of identity and history, once crafted carefully by a whole group, is made elsewhere and Anansi needs to figure out how to bring the life back into it.

The artwork was gorgeous and Brewer crafts a compelling rhyme that is fun and lyrical to read out loud, however the trajectory of the story missed out on creating more conflict with the mass-produced kente.

I really enjoyed the afterword sections on explaining the Anansi character who is a massive trickster and story telling figure in folklore similar to the Coyote in North American trickster tales or the turtle/ fox.

"Both the royals and common folk wear kente for glory, because each talking cloth tells a wonderful story."

Anansi and the Talking Cloth, written by Caroline Brewer, is a short children's story about Chief Griot Anansi's efforts to get his kente-weaving community back into working after protesting against commercially-made artificial textiles. Serving as a co-writer is Kwasi Asare, a prominent kente cloth weaver from Ghana. Prominent artist Ekua Holmes contributes beautiful full-page art which I would love to see printed.

Story-telling parents and teachers will delight on the rhyming quality of the text and the colorful, engaging illustrations while slightly older kids will have a lot to take away from the book's emphasis on giving importance to community culture.

Despite my inclination to mythology-inspired books, I admit I'm not that familiar with West African folklore/mythologies. Anansi is a mythological figure with roots from Ghana that I often hear but do not much know of. Information about him and his stories are noted by the author at the end of this book.

His character from ancient stories are adapted well in a story that faces a modern challenge. I just wish there was more contrasts between traditional-made and the artificial cloth to further emphasize their differences and explain the community's reaction. There's also clarification needed in the ending: Did the artificial cloth get banned? Did it eventually co-exist with kente?

Deeper discussion may be facilitated by older companions of the children who will read the book. In conclusion, a beautiful book for kids.

As a child, I grew up listening to stories about Anansi the Spider. I absolutely love this book! From the pictures to the many lessons within the book. For me, this book talks about being accountable, especially when you make a mistake. It also shows the importance of community and sharing resources inside of that community so that it can thrive.
I cannot wait to get a copy for my grandchildren.

Anansi stories are enduring because of the universal themes of a clever trickster, a resilient culture, and our human capacity for joy. I love the theme of weaving and the spotlight on beautiful kente cloth. There is a lot of history of African mythology and culture within this book, and this folktale is a fun and engaging introduction to Anansi.

This is a beautifully and uniquely illustrated book that talks about the importance and history behind kente cloth and also tells a story surrounding the mythological creature Anansi. I was definitely introduced to some African mythology and culture that I never knew.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A bright and beautiful blend of culture and folklore comes to life in 'Anansi and the Talking Cloth'. With rich and engaging illustrations, this is sure to capture the imagination of any reader while teaching them about kente cloth and revamping one of the most famous African folktales.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Anansi and the Talking Cloth
by Caroline Brewer
this book shows two fold nature of African traditions. The kente cloth of Ake culture, the meaning of the cloth symbology, and history. Stating at the end of the book the original story. The secondary story of Anansi the spider showing the practice of weaving, and cultural changes in Africa over time.

I rarely read folktales much less from Africa these days on new books. This is new to me so I'm not much invested in the story. There are lots of going on the story at the beginning and the middle however, much of us might have predicted the outcome of the story. The problem is it's a bit rushed and I can't feel the resolution touching my heart. The artwork is good and it really brings the African vibe in every pages of the book.

Ghana is very important in this house, so MJ and I loved reading this story about Kente and the myth of Anansi. She recognized some of the elements from our last trip to Ghana last year 🇬🇭 Also, the illustrations are stunning 🤩

Anansi and the Talking Cloth combines art history and story with vibrant, engaging visuals and lyrical text. This book would make for an absolutely wonderful storytime, with opportunities to talk about the history and myth of Anansi, the cultural background and importance of Kente cloth, and context and community, all of which are part of the story.

Also, this collage work and character development are absolutely incredible.

A good folktale for children with beautiful and colourful illustrations. ARC by Charlesbridge via Netgalley

I read this book with my 6 year old and 8 year old who both love Anansi. We were all immersed in the illustrations since even the backgrounds have beautiful details. My favorite page was the woman with the umbrella and the baby, frankly I would buy that as a print.
My 8 year old said Aso was a cool name, and I was appreciative of a story that included her and showed her as a 'best friend' and partner! The integration of the message about slow fashion versus fast fashion, especially in a way that conveys the importance of appreciating human craftsmanship, was done well. My 8 year old said they learned that weavers made Kente cloth and that the lesson was "you should thank people- no one was thanking them so they stopped." The only suggestion they had was to make more Anansi books, because they will read them! Also, they said "there weren't any weavers in the other Anansi books and the illustrations look different (in a good way). I like how all these Anansi books have life lessons."
The Author and Illustrator notes in the back were also very informative, and I loved seeing what reference materials and expertise were consulted. I like the rhyming text, especially for this age group and reading aloud, and the brief onomatopoeia.
I will definitely be talking this book up whenever I can! Thank you for sharing an ARC copy with us! I will be posting our review on August 13, unless you'd prefer otherwise, on our instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/motherofbookwyrms/

*Anansi and the Talking Cloth* is a delightful and meaningful story that brings the classic trickster Anansi to life in a fresh and engaging way. The plot centers on Anansi’s determination to inspire the weavers to return to their craft after they have stopped, weaving together themes of creativity, tradition, and perseverance.

While the story itself is simple, it carries an important message about the value of art and cultural expression. Anansi’s character is as clever and persistent as ever, making the story both entertaining and memorable for young readers.

One of the standout aspects of this book is the illustrations—they are absolutely beautifully done and add so much depth and vibrancy to the story. They truly enhance the reading experience and will capture the attention of children.

Overall, this is a strong 4-star read that I would happily recommend. It’s engaging, visually stunning, and filled with heart. I will definitely be sharing this story with the students at my school once it is published!