Customer Reviews

Cat and Rat: The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac (An Owlet Book)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a wonderfully charming and beautifully illustrated children's book explaining the legend of how the Chinese years came to be named for animals. It really is a marvelous little tale, but don't plan on reading it in dim light. The illustrations are so low-key as to be invisible in low light and the reverse (white on black) text is equally unviewable. So save "Cat and Rat" for a daytime reading or with the lights full on.

The story itself, whether adapted from an actual Chinese legend, is wonderul. Cat and rat are great friends. The Emperor announces a contest, a race for all the animals. The first twelve animals to cross the finish line will have a year named in their honor.

How the friends cat and rat became enemies is an engaging tale. Words and pictures work well in this book.

Great for dramatic reading to the little ones in your life.

Jerry

This is one of my top picks for children's literature dealing with Chinese history and culture! The story is charmingly told in a manner that is convincingly authentic and is a good accompaniment to learning about the Chinese zodiac. This is culturally educational, as well as being a well-written children's story. I especially enjoyed the illustrations, as their color and texture conveyed a darkness and depth of emotion that is rather unique in children's literature.

I really like the Chinese legend of the Chinese Zodiac and how the animals where choosen and how the cat and the rat are no longer friends. I really like Ed Young, and my only problem is that it the book uses a lot of dark colors.

I've been reading this story to Preschoolers, Kindergartners, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders for three years now. It is a hit everytime. It is a good version of how the animal zodiac came to be without any religious theme which makes the public school system happy.

I have found some great books for children on China and Vietnam. My students from those areas will love them and my other students will be able to appreciate the culture better. We all benefit from learning more about each other. Cat and Rat helps with an interesting entertaining story. The zodiac is always intriguing to everybody.

This book is one of Ed Yound's finest. It is very beautifully rendered in a sort of abstract, pen and ink style which is very dramatic and striking. Anyone who enjoys myths from around the world will be charmed by this story and the way it is presented. I have bought this book for several people and it has been very well received by adults and children alike!

As a feline obsessed little girl growing up in my grandmother's Chinese restaurant, I used to wonder while looking at her posters of the zodiac, "why isn't there a cat?!"

Well, this explains it.

It's a wonderful story about how the animals had to participate in a race to be part of the zodiac and how the cat was tricked and didn't make the cut.

I love the illustrations and look forward to sharing this book with my son for years to come!

i'm an american-born chinese, and i don't know anything about the story behind the chinese zodiac except that a race was involved. my 6yo boys thoroughly enjoyed this book, and i think the illustrations appear to be a modern twist on the classic chinese ornate illustrations. the illustrations are made to look like shadow figures, which may be frightening to smaller children (no happy primary colors here), but my 3yo daughter didn't seem to have a problem with it. overall the story is a quick read, and educational. the best part is that story references the characteristics of each animal in the zodiac (e.g., clever rat, hard-working ox, tempermental tiger, etc) that people who are born under these signs are supposed to possess.

I thought this book was just okay. I bought it for a friend to share with her kids. The illustrations are all kind of dark and scary for young children.