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Millions of people have embraced Marie Kondo’s method of decluttering, thanks to her bestselling book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and her hit Netflix series. Now she’s coming after your kids with her first children’s book. And yes, it’s about cleaning up their own messes.
Kondo is a busy working mom with 2 small children, so she knows what she’s talking about. If you watched her Netflix series, you saw her honest delight in cuddling the frazzled homeowners’ kids, as well as a segment where she taught her daughter how to declutter a pile of holiday decorations.
It may seem ridiculous to ask a toddler if a particular toy “sparks joy.” That’s where Kiki & Jax: The LIfe-Changing Magic of Friendship comes in.
The picture book, co-written and illustrated by Salina Yoon, features an adorable red squirrel and a sweet gray owl on the cover. According to the official press release, Kiki the squirrel is a “collector” while her bestie, Jax, is a “sorter.” Here’s a basic rundown of the plot:
“The one thing they agree on is how much fun they have together. But when things start to get in the way, can they make room for what has always sparked joy–each other?”
It sounds simple, but there’s a deceptively complex idea hidden in Kiki & Jax. The problem isn’t necessarily that Kiki likes to collect things; it’s that her collection is preventing the friends from enjoying their time together. That’s the essence of the KonMari method–and the thing that people who were angry and scared over the idea of giving up their precious books failed to grasp.
The author herself hopes that the story will inspire young children to learn the importance of tidying. “It’s a timeless story about friendship, and I hope that the characters of Kiki and Jax will inspire children and families to tidy and embrace joy!” Kondo wrote on her official Instagram.
Kondo previously penned a manga-style guide to tidying up in a graphic novel that mashes up her “spark joy” philosophy with a soap opera story about a young Toykyo woman’s messy apartment and messier love life. The Life-Changing Mango of Tidying Up: A Magical Story wasn’t quite the smash success of her original volume, or the illustrated follow-up.
If Marie Kondo for kids can really help parents keep their homes clean, then expect her latest book to fly off the shelves. You can pre-order a copy of the book now, or pick one up on November 5.
