Marie Kondo built her name on helping adults tidy up — but she’s also turned her attention to kids, teaming up with illustrator Salina Yoon on a picture book about friendship, tidying and what really matters.
If you’ve ever tried the KonMari method at home, you’ll know it’s not exactly a quick fix. When Marie Kondo’s Netflix series Tidying Up With Marie Kondo first landed in 2019, plenty of parents (this writer included) got swept up in the idea of taking everything out of every cupboard and wardrobe to see what “sparks joy” — only to spend weeks putting it all back afterwards, much to a more minimalist partner’s frustration.
Still, there’s something in the method that sticks. Folding clothes the KonMari way is a habit that can genuinely take root with kids, even if the rest of their room stays a work in progress. (Toy organisation is very much its own battle — pick the ones worth fighting.)
Marie Kondo Introduces Kiki and Jax
Marie Kondo announced the book on Instagram, describing it as a story about friendship that she hoped would “inspire children and families to tidy and embrace joy.”
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First published in 2019, Kiki & Jax: The Life-Changing Magic of Friendship is a 40-page picture book aimed at 3-7 year olds. It tells the story of two best friends who couldn’t be more different: Kiki is a collector, holding on to everything, while Jax is a natural sorter. The one thing they always agree on is how much fun they have together — until Kiki’s things start taking over, and the pair have to figure out how to make room for what really sparks joy: their friendship.
It’s a gentle way to introduce younger children to ideas about tidying, sharing space, and valuing people over stuff — without ever feeling like a lecture.
FAQ
Who wrote Kiki & Jax?
Marie Kondo co-wrote the book with illustrator Salina Yoon, who also illustrated it.
What age group is the book suitable for?
It’s aimed at children aged 3 to 7, making it a picture book for younger readers rather than an early chapter book.
What is the book about?
It follows two best friends, Kiki and Jax, who have very different approaches to belongings — one collects, one sorts — and learn to balance that difference without losing their friendship.
Is this the same Marie Kondo from the tidying show?
Yes. It’s the same Marie Kondo known for The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and the Netflix series Tidying Up With Marie Kondo.
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If tidying and organising is a theme in your house, you might also like:
- 10 Hacks for Parents for Organising Toys
- 11 Creative Ways to Organise and Display Your Child’s Artwork
- 10 Ingenious Ideas for Kids Book Storage
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Not ready to commit to a full Kondo-style clear-out just yet? Have a browse through our other organising and book storage ideas for inspiration you can dip into at your own pace.
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