A Knot Is Not a Tangle

By: Daniel Nayeri

Narrated by: Daniel Nayeri

Knots are necessary and imperfection is a gift in this poignant audiobook 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 audiobook 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.

Critic reviews

★ "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

★ "Families will enjoy reading A Knot Is Not a Tangle to inspire creativity and reflect upon family traditions." —BookPage, 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