A Sikh girl of Southeast Asian descent tells readers of the special bond she and her papa have as he helps style her hair. When he rubs coconut oil in it to smooth the tangles, “His hands move gently, like the man who plays the harp in the subway,” she says. Sometimes, he will fashion it into one braid, or two, or up in a bun like his own, their “hair twin” look. Likewise, the girl observes as he brushes and styles his hair.
When they go out to the park on Fridays, he ties his patka around his bun, then wraps his turban around that. “Sometimes he even lets me pick the color,” the girl tells us delightedly. On their way to the park, they meet a variety of other families, including one with two moms (one of whom is pregnant) and their daughter.
At the park, father and daughter let their imaginations soar, pretending to be rocket ships or zombies or unicorns. The girl feels her braid on her back, catches the scent of coconut oil, and feels secure knowing her papa with “his fluffy beard, his warm smile, and his turban” is nearby.
This is a lovely and lyrical ode to a special family bond and to cultural pride. Author Raakhee Mirchandani says in a note at the end that the book was inspired by her own husband and daughter. “As part of their religion, Sikhism, both Agan and Satya don’t cut their hair…. My
hope is that everyone who reads Hair Twins feels connected to the relationship between this papa and daughter and inspired to proudly share their own traditions with the world.”
The casual inclusion of a two-mom family in the neighborhood suggests that queer families, too, should be part of this pride and sharing.
