Threads that Bind – A must have book for siblings! [Review]

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Title: Threads that Bind- Sibling Stories from Indian Mythology
Author: Nalini Ramachandran
Illustrator: Sayani Ray
Publisher: Puffin Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House
Type: Paperback
Pages: 136 pages
Recommended Age: 6 years+ for mythology enthusiasts. Even adults will enjoy this book! (publisher’s recommendation is 8 years+)

Being at loggerheads to being hand in glove – of sibling fights and siblings love!

Mythology is my daughter, Ishani’s, favourite topic. So, when we received ‘Threads that Bind- Sibling Stories from Indian Mythology’ for review, she was over the moon. Needless to say, she finished reading the book in a single sitting and has also read it again a few times. She has been quoting anecdotes from the book when she is at loggerheads with her younger brother or when they are having one of their sweet moments. Even Virat, who is 4 years old, has enjoyed listening to these stories. [Pls note that my side of the family narrates lots of stories from the Ramayana etc hence my children have been enjoying mythological stories early on.]

Threads that Bind celebrates sibling bonds and makes one realise that all siblings are the same wherever or whoever they are! Each story in the book begins with an incident between Lord Ganesha and Lord Karthikeya and is followed by Goddess Parvati narrating a story about two other siblings from the mythology who have been in a similar situation as the two brothers. These stories cover different feelings between siblings – those of rivalry, jealousy and being let down as well as those of love, support and kindness. Through different day-to-day situations between the siblings, the book covers a total of 10 stories of siblings including Krishna and Katyayani, Jyeshtha and Lakshmi, Kubera and Ravana, Nara and Narayana, Ravana and Vibhishana etc.

I admire Nalini Ramachandran’s innovative idea for the format of this book. To have a story within a story for a mythological book makes it so interesting and unique. Each story feels so close to home as it depicts the feelings that every set of siblings go through while growing up. The best part is that not a single story is preachy – because which child wants a long sermon on how to treat their sibling!?

This book is for kids and adults alike. So, if you have two or more kids who are constantly at loggerheads, this is the book you need to tell them stories from mythology where siblings realised what their bond should mean to them.

But, if you have two or more kids who have the most ideal relation and are always doing things for each other, this is still the book for you to tell them stories from mythology where siblings realised when they had to step back and let the other one learn.

If you are an adult who wants to reminisce their childhood with their siblings, this book is for you to have a laugh at how you battled through such feelings and how you learned to love each other despite everything.

Lastly, this book is definitely for every parent to learn the patience and poise that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati display when faced with the everyday relationship challenges between their kids.

Threads that Bind is one book that I recommend for every family to have on their bookshelf. It is the most beautiful and engaging book on sibling bonds that I have read so far (and my current favourite!). It will make the perfect gift for Raksha Bandhan.

If you enjoyed this review and wish get this book for your family, you can order it from Amazon (kbc affiliate link),

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Disclaimer: Prachi and her children are part of the #kbcReviewerSquad and received this book as a review copy from the publisher via kbc.