The Race for the Chinese Zodiac by Gabrielle Wang, illustrated by Sally Rippin and Regine Abos Ages 5-9 32 pages Candlewick November 2013 Hardcover     This retelling of the legendary animal race that led to the twelve signs of the Chinese Zodiac is illustrated utilizing a Chinese painting technique that makes the picture book a joy to read and look at. The tale opens when the Jade Emperor, ruler of heaven and Earth, challenges the animals to a race. “The first twelve animals to cross the river will each have a year named after them,” he announces. With the challenge issued, the animals are off, but each one will have to find a way of using his own gifts to cross the water obstacle. While the strongest, like the tiger and ox, can swim across the river, the others must be more creative. Rabbit finds a log to hold onto so that he can float across, while rooster makes a raft and allows monkey and goat to hitch a ride. Rat, cat and snake all hitch rides on other animals while dog and pig get distracted and are almost left out of the contest. One animal isn’t in the group of twelve critters that make it across first, so it is left out. Do you know which animal this is? You’ll discover that this animal was betrayed by another and so, to this day, they are lifelong enemies.     web reviews   Bob Walch/2014 for curled up with a good kid's book   For grown-up fiction, nonfiction and speculative fiction book reviews, visit our sister site Curled Up With a Good Book (www.curledup.com)