Some of my favorite picture books are ones about friendship. Kat and Juju by Kataneh Vahdani is a charming story about a shy little girl who learns to let go of her fears with the help of a big red bird. I’ve partnered with Two Lions Press to bring you this blog post and a tutorial on how to make an easy friendship bracelet!
Kat is a shy little girl who doesn’t fit in with other children her age. She’s looking forward to her birthday because she’s hoping that a “forever friend” will show up on that day. When the bright red bird Juju comes along, Kat is thrilled to have a friend. Juju is more adventurous and outgoing than Kat is and she worries he won’t want to be her friend anymore. But Juju is a true friend. Together, the girl and the bird go on adventures and create a strong bond between them. Their friendship helps Kat overcome her fears of other children and expand her circle of friends.
Interior from KAT AND JUJU_ © 2020 by Kataneh Vahdani
This is SUCH a sweet story. It reminds me of Rosie and Rasmus by Serena Geddes in theme and tone. I was a shy kid, so I related to this story, even though I’m an adult now. It celebrates the power of friendship and the impact that a loyal friend can have on someone who is timid or shy. I love how Juju is so adventurous, but he never makes Kat feel bad for being cautious. He lets her be herself while encouraging her to expand her horizons and take a few risks. Every kid needs a friend like Juju in their life.
About the Book
Kat and Juju by Kataneh Vahdani
An unlikely duo star in a charming story about being different, finding courage, and the importance of friendship in the first book in a new series from an award-winning animation director.
Kat likes doing things her very own way, but sometimes she doubts herself. So when a bird named Juju arrives, Kat hopes he’ll be the best friend she’s always wanted. He’s outgoing and silly and doesn’t worry about what others think—the opposite of who she is. Bit by bit, with Juju’s help, Kat discovers her strength, and how to have a friend and be one—while still being true to herself.
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How to Make an Easy Friendship Bracelet
In honor of Kat and Juju and friends everywhere, my kids and I decided to make a short video about how to make an easy friendship bracelet. These bracelets are simple enough for kids to make quickly and easily. Watch the video below for instructions!
Step 1: Gather supplies. You’ll need 3 colors of embroidery floss, scissors, and tape.
Step 2: Cut 3 strands of embroidery floss 35 inches long (one of each color).
Step 3: Knot the strands together 2-3 inches from one end. Leave the other end loose.
Step 4: Choose the color you want to start with. Take that strand in your left hand and the other two in your right.
Step 5: Make a loop with the single strand going over the other two. Pull the single strand under the other two and up through the center of the loop. You’re basically tying a knot.
Step 6: Pull tight.
Step 7: Repeat.
When you want to change colors, simply move the color you want into your left hand to act as a single strand. Continue with steps 4-7. You’ll notice the knots will form a twisting pattern that will spiral down your bracelet. It will take a little practice to get it right, but once you get into the flow, it goes really fast.
How to finish: When you’re bracelet is done, tie a knot at the end. You can either braid the ends or leave them loose. We left ours loose in the video, then tied the two ends together to make a loop and trimmed the excess string.
This blog post was created in partnership with Two Lions Press. This blog participates in affiliate partnerships. If you make a purchase using our link, we may receive a small commission at no cost to you.
