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A Knot Is Not a Tangle
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 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.
Here’s something to 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.
48 pages, Library Binding
First published November 25, 2025
1 person is currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Nayeri
31 books924 followersDaniel Nayeri is a writer and editor in New York City. He wrote and produced The Cult of Sincerity, the first feature film to be world-premiered by YouTube. He has had all kinds of jobs around books, including book repairman, literary agent, used bookstore clerk, children's librarian, Official Story-Time Reader Leader, editor, copy-editor, and even carpenter (making bookshelves). He's also a professional pastry chef. He loves Street Fighter 2, hates the word "foodie," and is an award-winning stuntman.
Daniel and his sister/co-writer Dina were both born in Iran and spent many young adult years in Europe. There they learned several languages between them and tried Frosted Flakes for the first time.
Daniel and his sister/co-writer Dina were both born in Iran and spent many young adult years in Europe. There they learned several languages between them and tried Frosted Flakes for the first time.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 7, 2026
A beautiful story of a family tradition to create a family rug. A grandmother works with the grandson to knot the design, the grandfather raises the sheep they make the yarn from. This would make a great read aloud to introduce the art of making rugs.
January 8, 2026
Daniel Nayeri is one of the most talented writers alive today. His newest picture book about a grandmother and grandson weaving a rug together is exemplary. The picture book is narrated by an unnamed Iranian child who is learning to weave a rug with his grandmother. His grandmother shares her experience weaving the rug they sit on, which is faded, but holds deep memories. The young boy expresses multiple times that their rug will be “perfect” or the “best ever,” but his grandmother gently corrects him. All rugs are valuable and serve a purpose and there is value in imperfection. She even teaches him how to add a “Persian flaw” to demonstrate her point further, saying: “Nothing in this world is perfect, and nothing should pretend to be. Our job is to make knots out of the tangles.”
The watercolor illustrations are bright, colorful, and detailed, especially on the pages that depict a rug made for a king. The setting of Isfahan, Iran, where Nayeri is from feels fully realized and rich. The entire process is depicted from caring for the sheep in the field to washing, carding, and spinning the wool; to planning out the design on graph paper; to weaving the threads on a loom. Every word feels carefully chosen and deliberate. Includes themes of family, traditions, and imperfection. This should be a first purchase for every library that serves young people. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
The watercolor illustrations are bright, colorful, and detailed, especially on the pages that depict a rug made for a king. The setting of Isfahan, Iran, where Nayeri is from feels fully realized and rich. The entire process is depicted from caring for the sheep in the field to washing, carding, and spinning the wool; to planning out the design on graph paper; to weaving the threads on a loom. Every word feels carefully chosen and deliberate. Includes themes of family, traditions, and imperfection. This should be a first purchase for every library that serves young people. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
December 28, 2025
Delicate watercolor illustrations filled with rich colors and expressive characters support a story about family traditions and perfection in this picture book [3.5 for me!]. The narrator, a young Persian boy, describes the many steps necessary in weaving a rug, a process that he is eager to learn. The wool must be sheared, washed, dyed, and dried before the weaving can begin. As he and his grandmother work together, even sketching out the pattern they will follow, he makes remarks about how perfect the rug will be. But when he tries his hand at weaving, his hands don't obey his impulses. With her help, he improves. But he's shocked when she removes a knot. Her words are so important for those of us who seek perfection, something that is impossible. "'This is the Persian flaw,' she says. 'Nothing in this world is perfect, and nothing should pretend to be. Our job is only to make knots out of the tangles' " (unpaged). The end result is beautiful, beautifully imperfect. Readers should take note of the Author's Note in the back matter, which discuss weaving but also the making of art and the role of an artist in our world--to "make beauty out of chaos, knots out of tangles, memories out of everyday chores" (unpaged). YES! I especially appreciated how the grandparents rein in their grandson's ambitions of perfection and superlatives. Add this well-written story to a collection about art or one about cultural practices and traditions.
October 15, 2025
This story is about a boy who helps his grandmother weave a new rug for their house. They have to do all the steps, starting with getting the wool from the sheep and dyeing it up to designing the rug and then threading the loom and doing the weaving. The story takes place in Iran (Persia) and has a wonderful message of pride in your work, doing your best, and the power of things you make yourself. Loved this one.
November 28, 2025
.It’s a wonderful book that shows a tradition of Iran. We love learning about other cultures.
I didn’t know how persian rugs were made and all the work they required. We also looked at some videos because my 11 year old couldn’t quite get how the rugs were madeZ
I didn’t know how persian rugs were made and all the work they required. We also looked at some videos because my 11 year old couldn’t quite get how the rugs were madeZ
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December 2, 2025Having gained an appreciation from Everything Sad is Untrue for Nayeri’s love and respect for the art and heritage of Persian rugs, i enjoyed seeing that expertly translated into a beautiful and worthy story that conveys the same sentiments on a toddler/preschool level.
January 7, 2026
A Knot Is Not a Tangle is a thoughtful and engaging story that gently explores problem-solving, patience, and perspective. With warmth and clarity, it reminds readers that challenges can be untangled with care, understanding, and a little creativity.
November 14, 2025
"Everything has a purpose." A wonderful, reassuring book whether soothing disappointment after making a mistake or a pep after a rough day. I know I needed it.
December 5, 2025
Connection, pride in your work, patience and learning about one's heritage and family. 5 stars!
December 18, 2025
Beautifully told and vibrantly illustrated. Would recommend!
December 24, 2025
A Knot Is Not a Tangle is a tender story about a boy learning family traditions and the beauty of imperfection while making a Persian rug with his grandmother.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews