The Chinese people often told stories that taught the listener about their culture. In this zodiac myth, the emperor names the years of the zodiac after the animals who win a race. The Chinese zodiac myth is retold in this brilliantly illustrated Chinese Myth. Short Tales is an imprint of Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO Publishing Group. Grades 3-6.

Willow's pet cat Mao relates how the Jade Emperor chose twelve animals to represent the years in the Chinese calendar and why there is no Year of the Cat. Includes end notes on the twelve-year lunar cycle and the Chinese zodiac animals.