I initially was reluctant about choosing this book to read and share with my first graders as some are against “zodiac-type” anything. I find it very interesting. I know my own children, husband, and myself love to read our astrology/zodiak every time we dine at a Chinese restaurant. My sons laugh as according to the Chinese zodiac, my husband and I are enemies. Furthermore, my sons both are enemies—the latter zodiac deems more accurate when my sons fight intensely and often!

I truly enjoyed this book. The illustrations alone are very colorful and vivid. The animals seem real in a vibrant manner. I appreciated the fact that the book not only describes the characteristics of the twelve animals that are included in the Chinese zodiac, but each animal includes a folktale. The zodiac is both represented in a positive and negative aspect, which is based on the year one is born.

My students find it fascinating and were very excited to read their Chinese zodiac and most agreed it was accurate to their personalities for the positive. However, denied much of the negative aspect. That is to be expected with 7-year-olds! This book hooked and held my first graders’ attention. I highly recommend it for elementary-aged students.