Why am I passionate about this?

A long, long time ago I needed to learn how to tie a noose. Not really! It was a necktie, which lots of people feel is like wearing a noose. I tried to find a book on the subject but there were none so I wrote one. That little exercise developed into my Learn To Tie With The Rabbit and The Fox Series of books. I’ve been creating children’s picture books to show how to tie ties, bows and shoelaces for the past 30 years. You can find all of my books plus learn to tie books by lots of other authors at The Rabbit and The Fox Book Store.


I wrote

Boo's Shoes - A Rabbit And Fox Story: Learn To Tie Shoelaces

By Sybrina Durant, Pumudi Gardiyawasam (illustrator),

Book cover of Boo's Shoes - A Rabbit And Fox Story: Learn To Tie Shoelaces

What is my book about?

No Laces! That’s what Boo, the bunny, always says. He doesn’t want to learn to tie them. He has plenty…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Shoe Tie Hoedown: A Fun Way to Tie Your Shoes

Sybrina Durant Why did I love this book?

What a title for a book! I love it and the concept within. Learning to tie should be fun and what could be more fun than learning to tie your shoelaces and then getting up to do a jig. Plus a smiling fiddle player and happy dancers on each page are sure to bring a smile to your child’s face. Most importantly, this book was written by a doctor so parents can feel safe following his instructions.

By Charles Page,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Shoe Tie Hoedown as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Learn a fun way--step by step-- to tie your shoes while dancing to an old fashioned Hoe Down.


Book cover of The Shoelace Box

Sybrina Durant Why did I love this book?

This Little Golden Book was published 25 years ago. There have always been children struggling to tie their shoelaces. This one sends a good message about not giving up and practicing. It also reveals that you can’t always tell when someone is struggling with an issue just by looking at them. Stephen, the main character in the book struggles to learn. Children will be able to easily relate to him.

By Elizabeth Winthrop,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Shoelace Box as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Steven has trouble learning to tie his shoes but hates to admit it.


Book cover of My First Book of Knots: A Beginner's Picture Guide (180 Color Illustrations)

Sybrina Durant Why did I love this book?

This is a great book for children who really get into the idea of learning more about tying lots of different kinds of knots. Knots are used in fishing, camping, ranching, farming, and more. That is a concept I try to get across to children in my own books. Once you master one type of knot the rest come easier and so opens the door to many more fun activities.

By Berndt Sundsten, Jan Jäger,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked My First Book of Knots as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Create memories and embark on the journey of knot tying together. Learn how to tie knots you can use in fishing, camping, ranching, farming, and more.

What is more memorable than a child first learning to tie his shoes? Or wrapping his first Christmas presents? Knots aren't easy to learn, but they are very helpful-whether you are five years old, ten years old, or even fifty years old. Here is a children's picture book that will help parent and child learn together by simplifying the craft and bringing the reader into the world of knots through beautiful, detailed illustrations. My…


Book cover of The Adventures of Coach and Little Dell: My First Tie

Sybrina Durant Why did I love this book?

This is the only other picture book, besides my own, that I’ve been able to find for learning how to tie a necktie. It is a sweet story about a father figure coach who teaches a fatherless boy an art on manhood. I love books that teach values along with practical things so I had to place this story on my list.

By Tanae Denean Eskridge, Brandon M. Frame, Armond Hill (illustrator)

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Adventures of Coach and Little Dell as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

My First Tie is a wonderful story of a young boy sharing his experience learning how to tie his very first tie. The authors give us an inside scoop into the mind of a young boy seeking to mature and learn new things. Who knew learning to tie a tie would teach us the importance of honesty and telling the truth. We are also introducing a positive black male character to children's literature. Coach is a fixer, a teacher, a motivator, a mentor, and all-around great guy. My First Tie is the second book in a wonderful children's book series,…


Book cover of The Geeky Guys' Guide to Tying Your Shoelaces

Sybrina Durant Why did I love this book?

Everyone who knows me knows I’m partial to rabbits and foxes and cute little woodland creatures in instructional children's picture books. This book doesn’t have any of that stuff in it. In fact, it doesn’t even have any demonstrations! But it is an interesting book and it’s full of mathematical equations that geeks love. The author Lord Falcon Redclaw Hamstercuddles gives lots of hard, solid data that he promises will have you tying laces like a pro. Lord Falcon Redclaw Hamstercuddles? What kind of name is that? Well, it’s not his real name. Whatever that is will forever remain a mystery.

By Lord Falcon Redclaw Hamstercuddles,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Geeky Guys' Guide to Tying Your Shoelaces as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Ok. So most people know how to tie their shoes. And some people don’t. And if you’re reading these lines, right now, you either belong to the latter group, or you care an awful lot about someone who does.

You are not alone.

Thousands of adults can’t tie their shoelaces, or can’t get the laces to stay tied. If you’re one of them, then you’ve likely had dozens of people show you how it’s done, and if you have to listen to one more helpful explanation involving bunny ears or rabbits diving into holes, you’re likely to explode. You’re sick…


Explore my book 😀

Boo's Shoes - A Rabbit And Fox Story: Learn To Tie Shoelaces

By Sybrina Durant, Pumudi Gardiyawasam (illustrator),

Book cover of Boo's Shoes - A Rabbit And Fox Story: Learn To Tie Shoelaces

What is my book about?

No Laces! That’s what Boo, the bunny, always says. He doesn’t want to learn to tie them. He has plenty of shoes for every occasion and none of them have laces or strings. So, what’s the point of learning to tie? His friend, Farah Fox, convinces him that it’s a skill he can use...and one that might make him happier, too.

This book is meant to be a parent-child activity. Youngsters can read Boo’s story and their parents can help with the how-to-tie instruction pages. A fun shoelace-themed “I Did It” badge is included at the back of the book to give in celebration of conquering this difficult task.

Book cover of The Shoe Tie Hoedown: A Fun Way to Tie Your Shoes
Book cover of The Shoelace Box
Book cover of My First Book of Knots: A Beginner's Picture Guide (180 Color Illustrations)

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Raising an Entrepreneur: How to Help Your Children Achieve Their Dreams - 99 Stories from Families Who Did

By Margot Machol Bisnow,

Book cover of Raising an Entrepreneur: How to Help Your Children Achieve Their Dreams - 99 Stories from Families Who Did

Margot Machol Bisnow Author Of Raising an Entrepreneur: How to Help Your Children Achieve Their Dreams - 99 Stories from Families Who Did

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve become passionate about telling parents how to raise happy, resilient, creative, confident, entrepreneurial children who are doing something that gives them joy. So many young people are unhappy; parents don’t understand how to help. They think their children should follow their path, but that no longer works for many. For the last 10 years, I’ve been speaking to parent groups; I was an Advisor to EQ Generation, an after-school program that gives children the skills to succeed; on the Advisory Board of MUSE School, preparing young people with passion-based learning; and on the Board of Spark the Journey, mentoring low-income high school students to achieve college and career success. 

Margot's book list on learn how to raise confident children

What is my book about?

This book shakes longstanding assumptions of parenting.

Through 99 stories of people who are now changing the world, it shows how to raise creative, confident, resilient children who are filled with joy and purpose. Based on interviews with top entrepreneurs and their parents, it guides you to help your children identify their passion and figure out how they can spend their professional lives doing something they love. 

Parents' well-intentioned efforts often boomerang. By ignoring their children’s skills and interests, parents can inadvertently create pressure and anxiety, thwarting their children's ability to excel and find happiness. Too often, following your heart…

Raising an Entrepreneur: How to Help Your Children Achieve Their Dreams - 99 Stories from Families Who Did

By Margot Machol Bisnow,

What is this book about?

Learn how successful entrepreneurs were raised! Could your children start a company that disrupts existing industries? Or a non-profit that helps people around the world? Or follow their passion as an artist or activist? And most important, lead a life of joy and purpose, to be happy and fulfilled? Margot Machol Bisnow, mother of two thriving entrepreneurs, reveals how to raise creative, confident, resilient, fearless kids who achieve their dreams, through 99 stories of families who did it.

Read stories from 70 families who raised true game changers. See family photos of these thriving entrepreneurs, both when they were young…


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