the Great Race of Zodiac: A Japanese Folktale

A gentle bilingual retelling of one of the most beloved legends behind the Japanese zodiac - now in English and Japanese, side by side. Long ago, the Heavenly God announced a race: the first twelve animals to reach his palace would each have a year named in their honor, forever. Clever little Rat, steady Ox, brave Tiger, and gentle Rabbit all set out with hope in their hearts - while kind Dragon pauses along the way to help a village in need. But not every animal makes it in time, and one small mistake changes a friendship forever. The Great Race of the Zodiac is Book 11 in the Kogetsu Japanese Tales series, a collection of classic Japanese folktales retold for young readers ages 7-12. Each softly illustrated, bilingual picture book pairs warm watercolor artwork with English and Japanese text, making it perfect for family read-alouds, language learners, and anyone curious about Japan's rich storytelling tradition. Discover the full series: Book 1: Kaguya-hime (かぐや姫) Book 2: Urashima Taro (浦島太郎) Book 3: The Crane's Gift (鶴の恩返し) Book 4: Momotarō The Peach Boy (桃太郎) Book 5: Kasa Jizo (笠地蔵) Book 6: Issun-bōshi: The One-Inch Boy (一寸法師) Book 7: Tanabata (七夕) Book 8: Shita-kiri Suzume: The Tongue-Cut Sparrow (舌切り雀) Book 9: Inaba no Shirousagi: The White Rabbit of Inaba (因幡の白兎) Book 10: Hanasaka Jiisan: The Old Man Who Made Trees Bloom (花咲か爺さん) Book 11: The Great Race of the Zodiac (十二支のはじまり) A story of kindness, cleverness, and the friendships that shape us - for young readers and lifelong fans of folktales alike.