Raashi’s Rakhis: A New Celebration of Raksha Bandhan

A resourceful protagonist expands a gendered ritual in this straightforward picture book. Raksha Bandhan, a festival about honoring families, is a favorite of bespectacled Raashi. But when her younger brother Tejas insists Raashi adhere to the holiday’s gendered guidelines, she questions Mama’s explanation: that traditionally, sisters tied rakhis—bracelets symbolizing protection—on to their brothers, because it once wasn’t thought that girls should do as much as boys. Raashi, whose big dreams include piloting planes, coaching a baseball team, and being president, wonders “if the idea was to protect the people you loved, why didn’t the girls get rakhis, too?” Traditionalists may balk at Sheth’s reinterpretation of a beloved Hindu ritual, but the direct narrative provides opportunity for a more inclusive celebration. Soto’s digital palette of gold, green, and pink portrays wide-eyed characters in domestic scenes. All characters cue as South Asian. Ages 4–8. (July)