The Animals of Chinese New Year

Lee bases this photographic board book on the legend of the Chinese zodiac, in which 12 animals race across a river to determine which one will represent the year. Photographs of babies and toddlers, in moments of play on the left-hand side, mirror the traits of each zodiac animal, which are rendered as ornate red icons alongside text in English and simplified Chinese on the right. A child wearing a floral smock and bonnet sits on a rocky shore: “The tiger is brave and leaps from rock to rock.” Another child hangs from monkey bars: “The monkey laughs and swings from the trees.” Lee offers a sweet introduction to the zodiac for the very young. Ages up to 3.[em] (Jan.) [/em]