The Great Race

by Dawn Casey

Book Overview

"Wilson's creatively stylized folk art gives this retelling of an ancient legend a distinctive look. Youngsters will likely enjoy the final spread, which lists the years that fall under each respective animal, and the characteristics of people born under that sign"-- Publishers Weekly Race with the animals of the Zodiac as they compete to have the years of the Chinese calendar named after them. The excitement-filled story is followed by notes...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1846862027
• ISBN13: 9781846862021
• Release Date: September 2008
• Publisher: Barefoot Books
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.1" x 10.5"
• Age Range: 4 to 10 years
• Grade Range: Kindergarten to Grade 5

Customer Reviews

chinese zodiac book

I bought this so my daughters could better understand the Chinese zodiac and all the animals. it has a great story that is very understandable to them (ages 2 and 4) and the pictures are great too. highly recommended.

Fun Book

Cute story about the Chinese Zodiac and why the cat is not in the calendar. Fun illustations. My daughter who is 5, enjoys this book.

A picturebook retelling of an ancient Chinese legend

The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac is a picturebook retelling of an ancient Chinese legend of how their annual calendar came to be. The Jade Emperor decreed a grand race between the animals to determine the order of the years. Thirteen animals raced, but the rat, eager to be first, tricked the unfortunate cat into missing the finish line completely - as a result, the rat and the cat remain worst enemies to this very day! Playful color illustrations by Anne Wilson add an enthusiastic touch to this adventurous narrative, rounded out with fun facts about the Chinese calendar and Chinese astrology.

Good Intro to Chinese Horoscope

I purchased this boook for use in a Third grade unit on China. I ended up using it with my Kindergarten and First grade social studies classes as well. It's a little wordy in parts for the very young children but can be easily abridged without losing the context of the story.