Ocean State Libraries

"Twelve animals race to determine where they stand on the Chinese zodiac calendar. Each animal's unique quality comes out during the race, including Dragon's kind nature, Rat's forgetfulness, and Pig's love of food. Who can guess how they'll stack up?"--Back cover.

Relates how the Jade Emperor chose twelve animals to represent the years in his calendar. Also discusses the Chinese calendar, zodiac, the qualities associated with each animal, and what animal rules the year in which the reader was born.

To 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.

Willow's pet cat Mao relates how the Jade Emperor chose twelve animals to represent the years in the Chinese calendar and why there is no Year of the Cat. Includes end notes on the twelve-year lunar cycle and the Chinese zodiac animals.

"Celebrate Chinese New Year and learn how every animal earned its place in the Chinese zodiac by taking part in the Great Race! Discover who will come first to win the ultimate prize, and find out why Cat will never forgive his friend Rat in this ancient folk tale that has been passed from generation to generation." --