Title: Hey Sis! Hey Bro! Celebrating the Sibling Bond
Author: Deepa Agarwal
Illustrator: Meera Raichura
Publisher: Scholastic India
Format: Paperback
Length: 156 pages
Recommended age group: 8-12 years (nostalgic for adults!)
When I first picked up this book, I’ll admit I had my doubts. With a sister of my own but no close bond with cousin brothers growing up, I wondered if the title “Hey Sis, Hey Bro” would really resonate with me. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Sitting up last night reading through it, I realized I’d judged a book by its cover — quite literally! So many of these stories took me down memory lane, and a few even left me a little teary-eyed.
The book contains 10 stories, and I promise every reader will find at least a few that feel deeply personal. It captures sibling rivalry, jealousy, love, and everyday antics with such warmth and honesty. Here’s my take on each story, for anyone considering this book for their own family:
1. Who is Better? – As someone with a younger sister myself, this story hit home. It captures that universal feeling of a child wondering if they’re valued as much as a sibling, as parents try to navigate raising more than one child. In the end, sibling love wins out — always.
2. Cakes – This one brought back sweet nostalgia, especially for anyone who loved quiz competitions growing up (I certainly did — I only wish there’d been a junior Crorepati back then!). It beautifully balances playful sibling banter with a bit of neighborly rivalry.
3. Yamuna and Yama – A fascinating read that uncovers the mythological roots of Bhai Dooj. I had no idea about this connection, and it was genuinely my biggest personal takeaway from the entire book.
4. The Henna Boys – A moving tale of sibling bond tested by hardship. Watching two brothers refuse to part with their sister, even when providing for her felt impossible, was incredibly emotional. It’s a powerful reminder that having less often means appreciating more — and finding the fire to work harder for family.
5. Signature – This one touched something close to my heart, exploring adult literacy and how a man everyone had given up on finds change, set against a backdrop of sibling authority and challenges. Beautifully done.
6. Where Do I Belong? – A tender exploration of an adopted sibling’s inner world. The emotion flows off every page. My biggest takeaway: how powerfully a young child’s mind can spiral, and how much they may be silently carrying. This story will stay with me for a long time.
7. Love You, Bro! – Deepa ji deserves real credit for tackling autism in this story. It gently captures the quiet expectations siblings carry throughout their lives, in a way that feels honest and relatable.
8. The Problem – A sweet, simple story of two brothers who always have each other’s backs when it matters most.
9. The Bond That Saved a Conqueror – A fascinating history lesson woven into fiction, glimpsing King Alexander’s campaign in India and how the spirit of Rakshabandhan quietly shaped a chapter of history. Left me speechless.
10. The Ghost Hunters – A fun, funny take on cousin bonding (or the lack of it!) that had me smiling throughout.
What ties every story together is the same beautiful message: sibling love always wins. Deepa ji has thoughtfully explored nearly every kind of sibling relationship imaginable in this collection. This is truly a book for every age — and for parents raising more than one child, it’s also a gentle, heartfelt reminder to keep finding that balance amid the busyness of everyday life.
If you enjoyed this review and wish to gift this book on Raksha Bandhan, you can order it from Amazon (kbc affiliate link),
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