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A Knot Is Not a Tangle

Author Daniel Nayeri
Illustrated by Vesper Stamper
Hardcover Library Binding
$21.99 US
RH Childrens Books | Knopf Books for Young Readers
11.25"W x 9.31"H x 0.41"D  
On sale Nov 25, 2025 | 48 Pages | 9780593809709
Preschool - 3
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Knots are necessary and imperfection is a gift in this poignant picture book about an Iranian boy learning to make a new family rug with his grandmother, from an award-winning duo.

Here’s something to remember: Even a rug can be a precious thing.

One morning, a young boy is woken up early by his grandmother. It’s time to make a new rug for the family. Together, they wash and dye the wool. When it’s time to knot the threads, the young boy grows nervous. He wants to make it perfect. But why aren’t the colors right? And why can’t he weave as swiftly as his grandmother?

In this lyrical picture book about imperfection, tradition, and togetherness, A Knot is Not a Tangle explores the memories woven into one family's Persian rug, and is a gentle reminder of imperfection's greatest gifts.
Daniel Nayeri View titles by Daniel Nayeri
Vesper Stamper is an author/illustrator living in the Northeast with her husband, filmmaker Ben Stamper, and her two children. She has an MFA in Illustration as Visual Essay from School of Visual Arts, NYC. Follow her on Instagram and Facebook at @vesperillustration, and learn more at vesperillustration.com. View titles by Vesper Stamper
★ "Though told in present tense, the narration has the feel of family lore burnished by years of reflection." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ "A precious intergenerational story, steeped in art, culture, and the beautiful idea of a perfect memory." —Booklist, starred review

★ "A gift made of childhood recall, wrapped in the making of a Persian rug, an act of creating 'precious memories out of everyday chores.'" —School Library Journal, starred review

★ "A tender celebration of tradition, family bonds, and the beauty of imperfection." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"A lovely storytime pick with plenty of room for discussion." —The Bulletin

"[A] tender story....an example of the beauty of the process and of the importance of family relationships." —The Horn Book

About

Knots are necessary and imperfection is a gift in this poignant picture book about an Iranian boy learning to make a new family rug with his grandmother, from an award-winning duo.

Here’s something to remember: Even a rug can be a precious thing.

One morning, a young boy is woken up early by his grandmother. It’s time to make a new rug for the family. Together, they wash and dye the wool. When it’s time to knot the threads, the young boy grows nervous. He wants to make it perfect. But why aren’t the colors right? And why can’t he weave as swiftly as his grandmother?

In this lyrical picture book about imperfection, tradition, and togetherness, A Knot is Not a Tangle explores the memories woven into one family's Persian rug, and is a gentle reminder of imperfection's greatest gifts.

Author

Daniel Nayeri View titles by Daniel Nayeri
Vesper Stamper is an author/illustrator living in the Northeast with her husband, filmmaker Ben Stamper, and her two children. She has an MFA in Illustration as Visual Essay from School of Visual Arts, NYC. Follow her on Instagram and Facebook at @vesperillustration, and learn more at vesperillustration.com. View titles by Vesper Stamper

Praise

★ "Though told in present tense, the narration has the feel of family lore burnished by years of reflection." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ "A precious intergenerational story, steeped in art, culture, and the beautiful idea of a perfect memory." —Booklist, starred review

★ "A gift made of childhood recall, wrapped in the making of a Persian rug, an act of creating 'precious memories out of everyday chores.'" —School Library Journal, starred review

★ "A tender celebration of tradition, family bonds, and the beauty of imperfection." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"A lovely storytime pick with plenty of room for discussion." —The Bulletin

"[A] tender story....an example of the beauty of the process and of the importance of family relationships." —The Horn Book

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