Loops

by Jashar Awan

From Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor–winning author-illustrator Jashar Awan comes a hilarious and all-too-relatable picture book about the perseverance and positive self-talk needed to learn to tie your shoelaces!

This big kid is wearing his first pair of big-kid shoes, the kind with laces! Even though they’re a little on the roomy side—shoes to grow into, of course—he knows he can take care of them. Except they keep falling off!

Not to worry, he’ll just tie them up again, because he knows how to tie those loops! But wait a second, where did that darn shoe go?

Nothing is ever truly easy when you’re just starting something new; but, just like with any stage in childhood, whether it’s making your first steps, or going down the really big slide, with persistence, doing anything scary or overwhelming quickly becomes a piece of cake! And before you know it, you’re a BIG KID!

Genres: Picture Books, Humor, Childrens, Storytime, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Growth Mindset

48 pages, Hardcover

Published March 3, 2026

Reviews

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spot on title about a milestone in every child’s life learning to tie their big kid shoes, full of digital illustrations that aren’t noticeably digital, illustrations depict. both the successes and failures of tying big kid shoes. Very creative and positive point of view about a “difficult task” of childhood.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jashar Awan's latest, about balancing patience and persistence when trying new things. Good for the kids who get frustrated and overwhelmed when trying something new that they aren't immediately good at. Or adults who get frustrated and overwhelmed when trying something new that they aren't immediately good at. So, good for me.

[J. Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the simplicity of Jashar Awan's picture books, understated and warm, with good themes, I just adore them!


A huge thanks to the publisher & Edelweiss for the advance reading copy!

[Sadie-Jane Huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 333 of 350 ~ 2025

🌟🌟🌟🌟

This was so clever and so adorable all at once.. I read it twice!

I received a complimentary copy of the ebook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#book333of350 #amreading #netgalley #tbrpile #instareads readstagram reading bookreview bookreviewer booklover booksAreLife booksForTheWin booknerds thisbookfairyisreading bookstagram bookstagrammer bookstagramfeature bookshelf booksofinstagram bookish bookworm goodreads booklovers bookaddict theSGbookfairyReads theSGtrekkiereads bookaholic bookchallenge2025 reviews lovebooks

[YSBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young boy with brown skin and black hair is so excited to be growing up.  But things go awry when one of his big-kid shoes keeps falling off.  While some things about growing up seem super fun – like going on the big swings,  going down the scary slide, and spinning around in circles – sometimes it’s hard, and keeping your shoes tied is one of those hard things that “takes a lot of practice.”  With a simple tutorial about how to tie your shoes, this story will be great for children being introduced to shoelaces.

Awan (Every Monday Mabel, Towed by Toad, both in 2025) triumphs again again with his classic humor and sweet illustrations.  Readers of all ages will love watching our unnamed protagonist experience the highs of successfully finding and tying his own shoes, as well as the lows of realizing that one shoe has fallen off somewhere and is now missing.  Language is conversational and encouraging, and the illustrations are simple and charming, rendered digitally in Awan’s signature style.  They have a comedic simplicity that gives them the feeling of not only representing a child, but embodying one.  The book opens with the boy running across the end pages to then exclaiming, “There it is!  MY SHOE!”  And the story ends with him realizing his once again missing shoe is “at the BEGINNING OF THE BOOK!” followed by end pages showing the young boy running back to the beginning, creating yet another “loop” for readers.  This story is such a fun time and if you love Awan’s previous works you’ll love this one.  It may be all about growing up and being a big kid, but readers of all ages will enjoy it. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young boy runs across the end papers looking for his missing shoe. As he puts on and ties his shoe he explains how having big kid shoes means he needs to be big kid. But the shoes are too big and he keeps 'running right out of them'. He shows readers how he learned to tie his shoes but has to stop and try again. He's quite right when he says, "It doesn't happen all at once. It takes a lot of practice." He shows the reader how he learned to swing without needing a push (although he falls after jumping out of the swing). He demonstrates how he learned to overcome his fear of the slide before realizing that he has once again, lost his show. He runs around the playground looking for it before realizing where he left it, leading readers back to the beginning of the book for what should prove to be multiple re-readings. This delightful book is so relatable for kids and adults, really, anyone who's had to practice a skill over and over to get better at it. The little boy's enthusiasm balances out his persistence as he points out the need to keep trying. Not only is the book a powerful reminder of the need for persistence and effort, but will undoubtedly inspire young listeners to share their own experiences learning new things. (Teachers and Parents, be prepared for young listeners/readers to demonstrate their own skills as well as tell their own stories about becoming a big kid.) Awan's digitally created illustrations are so appealing and will lead many kids to want to pick up the book. A winning book all around! Highly recommended.

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warning: Massive cuteness overload ahead, parents and educators! 🚨📚👇

If you’re looking to refresh your little one’s bookshelf for summer, I’ve got the ultimate round-up of early readers, picture books, and board books that my kids and I have been absolutely devouring lately.

We kicked things off with The Wild Stallion by Terri Farley, a gorgeous spin-off to the classic Phantom Stallion series that had us dreaming of wild horses galloping through snowy mountains. For our tiniest readers, Rumble! by Lola M. Schaefer is a total blast-off success about a rocket heading to space with super simple, high-energy words.

If your kids love graphic novels, Worm and Butterfly Are Friends Always by Kaz Windness is a heartwarming sequel about long-distance friendship that actually made me a little teary-eyed For pure beach vibes, The Favorite Hat by Ariel Bernstein cracks us up as two elephants find the wildest multi-use hacks for a single beach hat.

We also couldn't stop smiling at Loops by Jashar Awan, a beautifully relatable picture book about a big kid trying to master tying his new shoes, and Go Bananas! by A. B. Peele, which is an infectiously silly, rhythmic read-aloud chant that will have your whole family yelling go, go bananas! Finally, for wind-down time, the bilingual board book Mi Cielo, My Sky by Dori Elys is a stunning, tender love letter between a mother and her bebé that is perfect for bedtime snuggles.

There is truly something for every stage of childhood in this stack!

✨️Thank you, Simon Kids and the amazing authors, for sharing these books with us!

[Jessica Yeager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loops is such a joyful, confidence-boosting read for young kids who are learning new skills — especially those early milestones like tying shoes. It captures the experience of trying, messing up, starting again, and realizing that learning is a process, not a straight line.

What I loved most is how lighthearted and encouraging the story feels. It gently normalizes falling down and getting back up, making it perfect for kids navigating new experiences for the first time. The tone is upbeat and reassuring, helping kids feel capable even when things feel tricky or unfamiliar.

The bright, bold colors and simple, engaging illustrations immediately grab children’s attention, and the story itself is incredibly relatable. Kids will see themselves in these moments of effort and perseverance - and feel celebrated for it. The circular flow from the end of the book back to the beginning is especially clever, reinforcing the idea that learning is a loop: we try, we practice, we try again.

This is a wonderful choice for encouraging confidence, resilience, and a positive mindset around learning. I can easily see kids asking to read this one again and again - and each time, taking something new away from it.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jashar Awan is a terrific author and illustrator, and I have enjoyed all of his books so far. He has burst onto the scene with colorful, creative books that appeal to both kids and adults, and I'm glad that he got the recognition he deserves with his recent Caldecott Honor.

Learning how to tie your shoes is a major life milestone, but it is rare for children's entertainment to model how to do it. There is that one SpongeBob episode that I watched in a Honda dealership when I was expiring of boredom, but I can't remember anything else from my childhood, and when people have asked me at the library for books about tying shoes, I haven't had much to offer them.

This book actually explains and illustrates how to tie shoes, instead of just talking about the concept. This story also sends a positive message about facing challenges and being persistent. The energetic main character talks directly to the reader throughout, and shows resilience when things go wrong. This is a really fun, unique book, and it will be a great read-aloud for groups, as well as a wonderful book for parents to read when teaching their kids to tie their shoelaces.

I received a temporary digital copy from NetGalley, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Casey Densmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story! Such a great idea for kids to help them learn to tie their shoes. It is not a skill that children have anymore when they come to school. I teach second grade and at least half do not know how to tie shoes. Even though I think this book is geared more for first grade and younger, I do think this book would work okay in my second grade classroom. I will be purchasing it and handing it to kids when they ask me to tie their shoes. There is a great illustration that breaks down each step and would be very helpful for a child learning to tie shoes. It might even be a great idea to have this book and a shoe in a take home bag and it rotates through with the kids that don't know how to tie, so they can take it home to learn. The illustrations are bold and colorful. There are also a lot of words of encouragement. If you want a different way to teach your child to tie shoes, this might be a great resource!

Thank you Jashar Awan and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book via NetGalley! This review was written voluntarily and all opinions are my own.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awan adds another winner to his excellent playful concept picture books for emergent readers.

This time, a young boy finds his lost sneaker, ties it by himself, then runs out to the playground to play. When he is finished, he realizes he as lost his shoe (it's a bit big on his foot so he can grow into it). He doubles back to find it. The boy converses directly with the reader, exhibiting his pride being a "big kid" because he is able to tie the laces of his "big kid" tennis shoes by himself.

What makes this book remarkable is the story starts on the front endsheets, with the boy missing his left shoe. He finds it on the title page, then the story resumes. At the end, he realizes he has lost the same shoe again, races across the back endsheets and back to the beginning of the book where his shoe was found.

The boy's language is just right for this age. He is non-stop busy and buzzing around from one piece of playground equipment to another. Adding the milestones together makes for one joyful ride.

Highly Recommended for PreSchool-K.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geisel Honor winner Jashar Awan delights with a new picture book, Loops. This story begins and ends with movement: a young boy both delighted and frustrated with his big-kid shoes, shoes that come with REAL laces and growing room. Unfortunately, they keep coming off and coming untied. Talking directly to the readers, he offers to show his technique and also shares his advice on the process of becoming a big kid with big shoes and real laces, and how to deal with scary things as they come.

This vividly drawn and clearly illustrated story will engage younger readers. Parents and educators will know the tone of the boy as he offers his expertise, and audiences will appreciate how something as simple as tying your own shoes can become a cleverly written and illustrated narrative. A lovely addition to preschool and early elementary libraries, Loops is a fun, quick picture book full of the sort of moxy every 4-5-6-year-old exists with, and the kind of confidence that makes adults bite the inside of their cheeks and smile as they watch it unfold.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book.

From the simple yet colorful art style to the casual, conversational way our main character talks to the readers about his shoe-tying (and shoe-losing struggles!). He's not hard on himself. He knows he needs to practice. Let him show you how he ties his show! Let him show you the new ways he's learned to be brave now that he's a big kid!

Like I said, LOVED it.

Perfect for any little lady or little man who is just starting to learn to tie their shoes. Planning on getting this one for my son.

Thank you to NetGalley for this free, advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun book about growing up and being a big kid. In it, the boy is learning how to tie his shoes. He’s pretty good at it, but he still needs some practice. He teaches the reader how to tie shoes. He also shows rhe reader all the fun things that big kids can do—like go on swings without a push, go on the merry-go-round, even slide on the slide! Some things he used to be afraid of, but once he tried them, they were okay! :) This book is a reminder that we all are always learning and it’s okay to fail a few times before you get it right. Sidenote: I love Jashar Awan’s stories, so I had to pick this up when I saw it at the library.

Mia’s 3rd Year of Books: Day 19

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Learning to be a big kid! It doesn't happen all at once. It takes a lot of practice."
-Jashar Awan

Jashar Awan has done it again with his latest picture book. He's dedicated it "To everyone learning something new." It's about a boy who is growing up and doing big kid things like learning to tie his shoe, learning to find his shoe, swinging on the park swing, and sliding down the big park slide.

I especially loved the ending, that "loops" (pun certainly intended) back to the beginning of the book perfectly. Bravo, this one's a winner!

Themes: being a kid, learning, growth mindset, parks & play
Ages: preK-2nd grade
Pub year: 2026

[Chelsea Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loops by Jashar Awan is a five-star masterpiece of visual storytelling. This brilliant wordless picture book perfectly captures the universal, mundane absurdity of waiting in line with humor and heart.

Awan’s vibrant illustrations are dynamic and expressive, filled with diverse, hilarious characters and intricate details that reward repeat readings. By removing the text, the book becomes wonderfully interactive, encouraging kids and adults to "read" the story together and observe the funny details. It’s clever, universally relatable, and highly recommended for any bookshelf!

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entirely delightful and wholesome look at celebrating the little things in life- and by little things I mean big things like learning how to tie your shoes even if it means tracking them down because they've fallen off your feet!

The growth mindset is present in a dynamic way as the protagonist is celebrating this feat but also the perseverance of other tasks like learning how to swing on swings. You get better by doing it.

The movement is as awesome as the words on the page and the circular story is simply the best!

[Nicole Forster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful picture book about not giving up and overcoming common challenges that may seem small to adults but are everything to young children! Highly relatable as a parent and as a kid. Enjoyed the illustrations. Short. Sweet. To the point. A good book for parents to read with their kids. I read it with my 4 year old who stayed engaged the entire length of the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers through Edelweiss+.
Charming story that encourages younger readers to be brave about becoming a "big kid." Readers see this child teach how to tie a shoe and how to face fears as they grow up. I love the circular ending and can see families looping back through the story several times. Great book to introduce both the concept of growing up can be both scary and fun as well as circular stories for younger classes.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hopeful book about becoming a "big kid" and mastering a new skill. A young child learns to tie his shoes, his first shoes with laces. But the shoes are too big and he keeps losing them on the playground. Artwork is colorful and bright, offering an illustrated step by step of the shoe tying process. Great for kids that are learning to tie their shoes or practicing responsibility of their belongings for a new big kid item.

[Mateo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loops arrived at exactly the right time for our family. My three-year-old is learning how to tie her shoes, and this turned what can be a frustrating skill into a fun, engaging read we could enjoy together.

The illustrations are top tier, bright, colorful, and full of energy, which kept her attention the entire time. A playful and encouraging book that supports early learning without feeling instructional. This one was a big win in our house.

[John Mullarkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a big fan of 'I'm Going to Build a Snowman', so I was very happy to see Loops appear in the library. Like the snowman tale, it is an engaging step by step story about a very special process in the young boy's life - this time it is tying a shoe. The story and artwork adhere to the excitement of accomplishment - the simple yet bold and colorful illustrations portray emotion very well. I particularly like the conclusion - it is both clever/realistic and funny!

[Emma & Evelyn Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young boy is learning to be a big kid but his big kid shoes keep falling off. With patience, he ties his shoes and goes on lots of adventures. I like this book because it shows what happens when a kid is trying to learn a new skill and when they mess up. It shows positive self-talk when feeling frustrated.

Thank you to Simon Kids for this book as part of the Simon Kids Crew. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great child perspective. Wonderful for learning new skills and perseverance.

A young kid has their first big kid shoes and since they have a little room to grow and they're still learning to tie laces, they don't always stay on. However, there are quite a few things that they've learned as they've grown bigger.

Not sure about the ending but it does encourage the reader to "loop" back to the beginning of the book.

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awan has crafted a rare book that should please adults with it's charm, and appeal to children with it's humor and fun. With small lessons to preschoolers like perserverance and resiliance tucked between fun and exciting illustrations, this is the kind of book that looks simple, but takes skill to pull off. This will find a spot in my collection.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that this book is about learning to tie your shoes, but also about getting to be a big kid. It can relate to so many other things that kids learn how to do as they grow up. I like the fact that a personality comes out even though the images are pretty simple and blocky. I think kids will love the humor at the end when he can't find his shoe. A great ST read aloud for bigger kids

[Michelle Madrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you @simonkids for this super cute story.

“To everyone learning something new” - Awan

What a fun way to showcase a little one learning how to tie their shoes. Love the illustrations that shows one kid’s growth going well beyond learning how to tie their shoes.

I would gift this one to any kid learning how to tie their shoes as they start exploring the world. 👟

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is fun. It’s about a big kid who has learned to tie their shoe that has a problem, losing their shoes. Because they come untied and fall off their feet. But they have to pick up and try again. This book is simple but a joy to read. You feel the heart and the bravery and the gumption of the kid in the pages while you read the simple story. Everything about this book just works.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story centers on a determined child trying to get the hang of their first pair of big-kid lace-up shoes. That setup works because it conveys a very true aspect of childhood: wanting to do something grown-up, feeling frustrated when it doesn’t come easily and having to keep trying regardless. It is a book about practice, patience and perseverance.

[Roben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a clever book!
New shoes, learning to tie those shoes that have plenty of room to grow... which means they sometimes fall off of your feet and have to be found! Because you are a Big Kid. You can play on the playground, tie your shoes (again!) And take responsibility to "loop" around and find that lost shoe!
Nice double entendre with Loops!