Friday, January 31, 2014

Happy Chinese New Year! Book Review The Year of the Horse: Tales of the Chinese Zodiac

Title: The Year of the Horse: Tales of the Chinese Zodiac

Author: Oliver Chin

Illustrator: Jennifer Wood

Publisher: Immeduim, December 31, 2013

Topic: friendship, bravery

Age: 3 - 8

Opening: After months of waiting, Mama and Papa horse finally welcomed their new baby.

Summary: 2014 is The Year of the Horse! Hannah the horse has a wonderfully talented family and a very special friendship with a boy named Tom, but she wants more than that. She yearns to have special skills like those of her parents and relatives. When Tom offers to take his art teacher’s newest painting to the governor in a far off capital, Hannah jumps at the chance to show a little horse can have a lot of courage.

Resources: You can find coloring pages of Hannah and her family.  Activity Village has a variety of resources including coloring pages, adorable bookmarks, printable origami booklets, Chinese Zodiac Chart, posters and more! 

What I like about the book:
What better way to start the Year of the Horse than with a children's book by that name?!?! This series is a great way to introduce children to the animals of the Chinese Zodiac. In this story, Hannah is a sweet character that embodies the characteristic of those who are born in the year of the horse. She is brave, loyal and a good friend. Children will enjoy the bright and playful illustrations and engaging dialogue. I like the end note at the end of the book that has more information about people born in the year of the horse.  

4 comments:

Patricia T. said...

Just was this reviewed in the Multicultural Children's Book Day this week. I think it is a wonderful pick for today and for the Chinese New Year.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for posting this for Perfect Picture Book Friday...a wonderful choice for Multicultural Children's Book Day AND for the Chinese New Year...that's like a home run!
It looks like a lovely book...I will try to get a copy of it to read to my grandson...the illustrations look amazing!

Stacy S. Jensen said...

This is a great one.

Susanna Leonard Hill said...

Looks like a fun choice, and perfect for today!