I've already reviewed two version of the legend of the animals of the Chinese zodiac (Monica Chang's retelling, Story of the Chinese Zodiac and Ed Young's Cat and Rat), but of course there are many more to choose from. Dawn Casey's The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac gives a lively account by focusing on the side vignettes of the animals' racing strategies and styles. The animals speak to one another, "Come on, Ox!", and the anticipation grows as they near the finish line. Anne Wilson's illustrations are charming, colorful, and equally lively. We have to forgive her vaguely Mughal-looking Jade Emperor and ill-formed Chinese nine 九. A few notes at the end provide additional information about the lunar calendar and major holidays. Children and adults will enjoy looking up their zodiac animal and learning of their attributes, too.
You may be curious not only of the zodiac animal for this year (the Rabbit 兔), but of new year traditions. Grace Lin and Janet Wong both offer colorful introductions. In her typical way, Lin brings us into her immediate and extended family who prepare by cleaning and cooking, decorating and dancing. Wong's approach is more multi-cultural, with a main character who is half-Korean with friends who are likewise born of two cultures. A Franco-German friend celebrates Chinese new year by getting Thai food to go. Cleansing rituals are focused on hoping and dreaming of good luck. Both authors provide additional notes to readers.
Dawn Casey (author) and Anne Wilson (illustrator)
The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac
Barefoot Books, 2006
Grace Lin
Bringing in the New Year
Alfred A. Knopf, 2008
This Next New Year
Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2000
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