Thirteen animals race for 12 places in the Zodiac. The story may be familiar, but Gabrielle Wang's (The Garden of Empress Cassia) poetic retelling and Sally Rippin's (Mannie and the Long Brave Day) dramatic illustrations in Chinese ink and linocut make this a standout.
After the Jade Emperor's announces the "mighty race," the animals line up at the river's edge. "The waters slapped and swirled. The mountains trembled. The Jade Emperor's gong rang out." Rippin, using a limited palette of golds, grays and greens, introduces the first of the animals in a thick black outlined frame: orange-flecked and golden "Courageous Tiger," airborne, dives over green curling currents, while gray "Peaceful Rabbit" clings to a log. The Chinese character for each animal appears with the image and a line of text (and again as each crosses the finish line). Ox gets a double-page illustration in which the river seems to run off the pages, carrying on its back "Charming Rat" and "Friendly Cat" (described as "very good friends"), along with all three of their Chinese characters. Dog and Pig make their ways solo, while Lucky Rooster, Clever Monkey and Gentle Goat band together to ride a raft to the finish line. Powerful Dragon, like Ox, commands a double-page spread, parting clouds with its green serpentine tail.
A couple animals betray their companions in order to secure a place in the Zodiac (Rat and Cat are no longer friends). This enticing picture book closes with the years of the 12 animals and the characteristics associated with each. --Jennifer M. Brown, children's editor, Shelf Awareness