Thread of Love

July 15, 2018
To the tune of "Frère Jacques," the book showcases Raksha Bandhan, a festival in northern India that celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters.Two sisters busy themselves making a rakhi (the titular thread of love) and tying it to their brother. In return, their brother gives them a gift and some chum-chum (an Indian sweet). The book ends with a heartwarming spread showcasing family, friends, and neighbors around the world being bound by this thread of love. While obviously enjoyable for storytimes, the cadence of the song with these lyrics can be a bit challenging, and some poetic license has been taken with the wording, possibly to meet the meter. "Sister Kashi, Sister Kashi," reads the text, "meri ban, meri ban." The phrase "meri ban" is translated in the glossary as "my sister," with an addendum that "behan" is "an alternate spelling"; many speakers of Hindi may well feel that "behan" is the standard rendering and "ban" an unfamiliar variation. Debut illustrator Hoang's illustrations are infused with persimmon, magenta, and lime green. The children's faces are disproportionately large, and they wear only traditional Indian garb. The backdrops indicate an Indian setting, with words in Hindi on shops and a cricket poster in the brother's bedroom. Although the concluding map includes children likely of the Indian diaspora, it's a shame the story itself is so visually limiting. The book ends with helpful instructions for making a rakhi.Despite some shortcomings, the book carries the day on showcasing the beautiful traditions of Raksha Bandhan. (Picture book. 3-7)

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December 15, 2018
Preschool-G The Indian holiday Raksha Bandhan celebrates the affection between brothers and sisters. Sisters give brothers a thread bracelet, a rakhi, while brothers promise to care for their sisters and also give them presents. Set to the tune of Fr�re Jacques, the text describes a young girl getting to work on the rakhi with her little sister. Together they string beads, weave threads, adding sparkle and sequins, and finish off with a tassel. When brother Ji (who has been sleeping) receives his bracelet, he then gives gifts to his sisters. The digital artwork featuring wide-eyed children wearing traditional dress are set against decorated backgrounds, sometimes accented with Hindi lettering. A final spread shows a map of continents with families celebrating around the world, though without a key, it's unclear if the festivities are identical or where they are taking place. The final spread instructs readers on how to make rakhis of their own.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)