The Horse and the Mystery Drawing — Li Jian

This beautifully illustrated Chinese children's book tells a traditional myth in both English and Chinese characters.

Long ago in China, there was a little boy who lived a nomadic life with his family. Hunger and hardship followed them wherever they went. They tried to grow food once, but whenever the seeds were sown, winter came and all the seedlings became frozen.

One day, while passing by the Yellow River, the boy's white horse suddenly got free of the reins and plunged into the river. After a while, the horse sprang out of the water with a drawing on its back.

Everyone wondered what the drawing meant, but only the boy was clever enough to figure it out and explained to his family: "This drawing shows the cycle of the changing seasons. The horse wants to help us grow grains to make food. Why don't we do what is on this drawing and sow seeds in the spring, water them in the summer, and harvest in the autumn. In the winter, we need to let the earth rest."

Following the farming method on the drawing, people had bountiful harvests year after year, providing enough grain for rice and dumplings. They were able to stay in one place to build homes.

Other books in the Chinese Zodiac Series (as well as the year of that animal) include:

• Little Pigs and the Sweet Rice Cakes -- 2007 & 2019
• Magical Rooster -- 2005 & 2017
• Water Dragon -- 2012 & 2024
• Little Monkey King's Journey -- 2016 & 2028
• Snake Goddess Colors the World -- 2013 & 2025
• Sheep Beauty -- 2015 & 2027
• Bronze Dog -- 2006 & 2018
• Little Rat and the Golden Seed -- 2008 & 2020