Z Is for Zodiac: A Creative Introduction to the Asian Zodiac

Elizabeth Rush, illus. by Maritta Nurmi. ThingsAsian, $12.95 (48p) ISBN 978-1-934159-43-9

Rush tells the mythical story of the Jade Emperor, who chose the zodiac animals: “She would even hold a competition, naming each of the twelve years in the zodiac after each of the first twelve animals to arrive.” Working in mosaic- and collage-esque compositions, Nurmi artfully introduces each zodiac animal. The Jade Emperor observes their personality traits: those born in the Year of the Tiger “will be boastful and brave. Adventurers all that sometimes misbehave!” The alluring storytelling provides a framework for the abstract pictures, while Nurmi also leaves much up to interpretation. Ages 8–up. (Oct.)

Featured Children's Reviews

Karen Kane, Jonaz McMillan

Among the titles Milo reads one night, one is “about a monster under the bed. Milo should not have read that book.” Frightened, he uses a flashlight to signal Mel, his best Continue reading »

Erin Entrada Kelly

In this engaging novel by Kelly (The First State of Being), eminently likable, curious eight-year-old Felix, who cues as white, is inexplicably drawn to a seemingly nondescript Continue reading »

Kyo Maclear

Dynamic spreads by Zhang pulse with energy as they capture the casual grace of Japan’s demae—cycling food deliverers—who, from the 1930s to the 1970s, per an end note, balanced Continue reading »

María Dolores Águila

In this activist picture book, a child living in San Diego’s Barrio Logan vividly narrates, in English and Spanish, a story of individual and collective strength. In their Continue reading »