The Animals of Chinese New Year

November 5, 2018
Lee bases this photographic board book on the legend of the Chinese zodiac, in which 12 animals race across a river to determine which one will represent the year. Photographs of babies and toddlers, in moments of play on the left-hand side, mirror the traits of each zodiac animal, which are rendered as ornate red icons alongside text in English and simplified Chinese on the right. A child wearing a floral smock and bonnet sits on a rocky shore: “The tiger is brave and leaps from rock to rock.” Another child hangs from monkey bars: “The monkey laughs and swings from the trees.” Lee offers a sweet introduction to the zodiac for the very young. Ages up to 3.

October 1, 2018

PreS-An adorable read-aloud for babies and toddlers based on the Chinese zodiac. Every 12 years, the Jade Emperor sets up a race between the animals of the zodiac for the honor to be the first in the 12-year calendar cycle. Each animal races according to its own personality. "The ox works hard to stay ahead ...The rabbit chats to everyone along the way." Each spread features a full-page photograph of diverse babies, English text followed by Simplified Chinese, complemented by stylized traditional Chinese art. Taken together, the photographs are of varied quality and feel inconsistent across the entire book. However, this is a small blemish as the photos complement the text and illustrate each character trait well. Overall, the text and photos allow for an easy connection between adult readers and young listeners. VERDICT While this book could be enjoyed at any time of year, it is a good fit for holiday displays, programming, and curricula.-Richelle Rose, Kenton County Public Library, KY

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.