The Great Race

From BooklistGr. 3^-6. Although the true origins of the Chinese zodiac remain a mystery, this lovely book presents one of the fables associated with its creation. Here, a grandmother teaches her young granddaughter the importance of the order of the animals in the zodiac and how the order came to be determined--through a great race. As the story unfolds, it is clear that there are more important qualities and personal attributes than speed or cleverness as the animals compete for place. Lavishly and beautifully illustrated, the picture-book format serves the story well, giving visual form to the sometimes difficult concepts of friendship, loyalty, and ethical behavior. This well-told fable is not only an interesting story but also a fine introduction to the Chinese zodiac; included are explanations of the zodiac and each of the 12 animals' characteristics and symbolism. Shelle RosenfeldProduct DescriptionTo help her arrange her paper cut-outs of the animals in the Chinese zodiac in the proper order, a young girl's grandmother tells her the story of the race in which each animal secured its place.From School Library JournalGrade 1-4 Ancient Chinese astronomers devised a zodiac based on a repeating 12-year cycle, with each year named for an animal. There are varying explanations for why it begins with the Year of the Rat and continues through ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, and the rest, ending with the Year of the Pig. This atypical variant, for which no source is given, is presented as a tale told in formal, adjectival language by an elderly Chinese woman to her small granddaughter. Events unfold at a leisurely pace as the 12 animals participate in a race across a desert, a forest, a mountain range, and a sea. The race is set in motion by the Great Buddha, and its destination is the utopian Jade City. The story departs from more familiar versions by celebrating friendship, cooperation, and self-sacrifice among the animals who finish the race behind the conniving rat. The lengthy text is overshadowed by the art, painted in rich colors on a grand scale. Huang's illustrations resemble oil paintings by old masters Turner and Rubens come to mind and seem to belong in a gilded frame on the wall of an art gallery rather than on the pages of a picture book. An explanation of the Chinese zodiac and a description of the characteristics of each animal sign are appended. This production is more suited to a coffee table than a storyhour; Ed Young's Cat and Rat (Holt, 1995) remains the best all-around version of the story. Margaret A. Chang, North Adams State College,Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Author: Bouchard, Dave

Publisher: Millbrook Pr

Binding: library

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0761303057

ISBN-13: 9780761303053