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

48 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 3, 2026

Reviews

[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!

[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.

[Monica Bowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of “I’m Going to Build a Snowman” will be delighted to see this beloved character tackle a big kid milestone— learning to tie your own shoes. The story adds relatable and challenging moments that many children have overcome in the past, such as sliding down scary tall slides. The illustrations in Loops are just as bright and bold as the artist’s other works. There is a helpful full-spread within the book showing the procedure of tying your shoes. This is a perfect addition to any children’s library, especially for students at the primary levels.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for the digital ARC.

[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!

[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.

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[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.

[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.