Bracelets for Bina's Brothers
Review posted July 17, 2024.
Storytelling Math, Charlesbridge, 2021. 32 pages.
Review written December 28, 2021, from a library book.
Starred Review
This is another book from Charlesbridge's outstanding Storytelling Math series. The books fit math content naturally into a story about kids' lives. Most of them also have a cultural element which is presented seamlessly.
In Bracelets for Bina's Brothers, Bina wants to make rakhi bracelets for her three brothers as the traditional gift on Raksha Bandhan, an Indian holiday. Even though her brothers can be annoying and like to tease, she finds out each one's favorite color and least favorite color.
Bina and her mother get beads at the store, and Bina and her dog make bracelets using an every-other-one pattern. The use different colors for each brother and the third brother gets two beads for each stripe.
It's a simple story, but it's an interesting story with fun characters, and it's a perfect vehicle for talking about alternating patterns with young kids -- and maybe progressing to other patterns.
Like the other books in the series, this one has a cultural note at the back and further ideas for exploring the math in the book. This book makes a great jumping-off point.