Chinese New Year is the perfect time to enjoy this delightful story about Rabbit and his friends, who all happen to be animals of the Chinese Zodiac.
Rabbit is lonely. He doesn't really know why he doesn't have a special friend, as he's generous, kind and likes doing lots of things. His shyness might have something to do with it, however, as even though he loves music, he's too shy to play with the other animals.
Then, one day, inquisitive Dog hears Rabbit playing and goes to find the source of the music. He's soon joined by timid Sheep, energetic Pig, mischievous Monkey, honest and spirited Horse … all the way up to strong Dragon. And suddenly Rabbit realises he doesn't just have one friend, he has lots of them!
This can be enjoyed as a simple, heartwarming story of friendship and the desire to fit in. However, the list of birth years at the back of the book combined with brief descriptions of each of the animals' key characteristics also make it a wonderfully fun introduction to the Chinese Zodiac. (Only positive traits are described!)
Title: Rabbit and His Zodiac Friends
Author: Melissa Keil
Illustrator: Jedda Robaard
Publisher: Black Dog Books, $16.95 RRP
Publication Date: January 2015
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781922244567
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book