by Teresa Robeson
Illustrated by Ping Zhu
Published October, 2026
Hardcover
67 Pages
Review Copy Provided by Publisher
Summary from Publisher
The ultimate guide to the Chinese Zodiac, featuring fun facts, frame-worthy illustrations, and a choose your own adventure-style quiz to find your perfect zodiac match!Are you a patient Ox, a brave Tiger, or a friendly Pig? It’s time to meet your match!
This joyful celebration of cultural traditions offers a funny, interactive, and beautifully illustrated introduction to the Chinese Zodiac for curious kids ages 6-9. Readers will meet the twelve animals of the Zodiac – from the powerful Dragon to the energetic Horse – each with its own personality traits and traditions. But, there’s a twist! While Zodiac animals are determined by birth year, readers can also take the book’s playful flowchart quiz to discover which animal truly matches their personality, reminding them that, ultimately, no label can define them.
Spanning nearly 70 pages, Animals of the Chinese Zodiac is packed with fascinating facts and vibrant storytelling. A fold-out retelling of The Great Race legend reveals how the twelve animals earned their place in the Zodiac, while lively profiles introduce each animal’s strengths, lucky numbers, best friendships, possible future careers, and more. Ping Zhu’s lavish hand-painted illustrations are bold, colorful, and expressive, and the book’s eye-catching foiled cover makes it a perfect gift to be treasured for years to come.
Whether welcoming Lunar New Year or learning about the Chinese Zodiac for the first time, this essential, authentic, and unique book brings an ancient tradition to life for a new generation.
My Thoughts
My students enjoy learning about their animal sign and characteristics associated with their birth year. This book takes things a bit further and allows readers to use a provided flowchart to find the symbol that best represents them based on their answers to questions about preferences and personality traits. I can just picture a group of students bent over this book, to find and discuss their animal signs. A sidebar provides lucky numbers, colors, and flowers.
Each sign has a section dedicated to it, which includes birth years, signs that would make good friends, the legend behind the sign, food preferences, and dream jobs.
I can't wait to share this book with my students!
