Bina loves her three brothers, even though they can be annoying, and every year, their family celebrates Raksha Bandhan, a Hindu custom that affirms the bond between brothers and sisters. According to the tradition, sisters tie bracelets on their brothers' wrists to protect them, and in return, brothers give their sisters gifts. This year, Bina decides she will make the bracelets herself, using beads of their favorite colors along with an "extra-special" bead to symbolize their unique interests. Here Bina's task takes on a mathematical twist as she arranges the beads using an every-other-one pattern. Readers will enjoy being swept up into Bina's conundrum, along with her constant companion, Tara the dog, as she tries different color combinations of beads. The vibrant colors and perky tone of this culturally specific yet universally appealing book make for a fun read-aloud with a bit of a math lesson sneaked in. Back matter explains Raksha Bandhan and suggests some fun activities.
--Booklist

For the Hindu holiday of Raksha Bandhan, which celebrates the bond between siblings, Bina, who has warm brown skin and dark wavy pigtails, sets out to make her three older brothers--book-loving Vijay, musical Siddharth, and athletic Arjun--bracelets to keep them safe. There's just one thing she must keep in mind: each brother has one color he favors and one that he doesn't. After Mommy helps Bina buy green, blue, and orange beads, the girl sets out to make individualized bracelets, relying on the family dog for emotional support. LaRocca's prose is accessible, with plenty of dialogue, and Prabhat's digital art charms via vivid, dynamic spreads. This latest installment of Charlesbridge's Storytelling Math series proves both educational and appealing. Back matter includes an author's note and an explanation of the patterns involved in Bina's bracelet making.
--Publishers Weekly