Hair Twins

There are very few children's books where a Sikh father's joora is not something to be explained or defended — it is simply something to be celebrated. Hair Twins by Raakhee Mirchandani, illustrated by Holly Hatam, is one of those rare books. It is a love letter between a father and daughter, written through the hair they share.

A Bond You Can See

The story follows a young girl whose papa helps her care for her long dark hair — combing it with coconut oil, braiding it, and on special days, twisting it into a bun that matches his joora. When they match, they are "hair twins." That is the whole premise, and it is enough. The simplicity is the strength.

What makes this book special is what it does not do. It does not explain why papa keeps his hair long. It does not turn the turban into a teaching moment. It simply shows a father and daughter who are proud of who they are — and who see that pride reflected in each other. For young Sikh children, that kind of representation is powerful. They see their own fathers on these pages.

Full of Imagination

The book is alive with a child's perspective. The girl's voice is playful, warm, and full of wonder. She sees her hair as something magical — something that connects her to her father and to the world around her. Raakhee Mirchandani, who based the story on her own relationship with her daughter, captures that childhood sense of joy perfectly. The narrative never talks down to children. It invites them in.

Stunning Illustrations

Holly Hatam's illustrations are vibrant, expressive, and beautifully diverse. The father-daughter moments are drawn with real tenderness — you can feel the love in the morning hair routine. And when the two step outside, the world they move through is full of different families, different hairstyles, different bodies — all shown with the same warmth. The art celebrates everyone while keeping the father-daughter bond at the centre.

Why This Matters for Sikh Families

Kesh — uncut hair — is one of the Five Kakars, the articles of Sikh faith given by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. It represents acceptance of the body as the Creator made it. But for young children, that theological significance comes later. What comes first is what they see: does my father look like the fathers in my books? Is my hair something to be proud of or something to explain away?

Hair Twins answers that question without hesitation. Hair is beautiful. Hair is identity. Hair is something a father and daughter share with pride. For Sikh children who keep their Kesh, seeing that reflected in a picture book builds confidence in a way that no explanation can.

A Father's Day Essential

This is a book about a father who shows up — who sits with his daughter, combs her hair, and matches with her. For fathers who tie their children's joora each morning, this story will feel deeply personal. It is one of the best Father's Day reads for Sikh families, and honestly, for any family that celebrates the quiet, daily rituals of love between a parent and child.

Discussion Opportunities

This book opens up wonderful conversations about:

• Why we keep our hair and what Kesh means in Sikhi
• The special bond between fathers and daughters
• Being proud of how you look, especially when you look different
• Celebrating diversity in hairstyles, families, and identities
• The daily rituals that connect us to the people we love

Final Thoughts

Hair Twins is inspired by Raakhee Mirchandani's own life, and that authenticity shows on every page. It has been recognised as one of the best children's books by AAPI authors on Goodreads and named to Bank Street College of Education's Best Children's Books of the Year.

It is joyful, it is proud, and it is exactly the kind of book Sikh children need on their shelves. A must-have for young readers — and an even better gift for the fathers who comb their children's hair every morning.

Highly recommended for: Sikh families, Father's Day gifts, classroom diversity libraries, and any child who wants to see themselves and their family celebrated on the page.

Related Resources

• The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh — A picture book about a Sikh boy who expresses himself through the colors of his patka
• My Name Is Saajin Singh — A story about a Sikh boy who learns to reclaim his mispronounced name
• The Five Kakars — Articles of Sikh Faith — What the Five Kakars are and why they matter