THE CHINESE BOOK OF ANIMAL POWERS

PLB 0-06-027729-7 Huang, well known for his writings on Tai Chi for adults, offers a vibrant book of proverbs for children, brilliantly illustrated with his calligraphic art. According to Buddhist tradition, every month and year are linked to one of the twelve animals who arrived—one by one—to listen to Buddha speak of their powers. Each represents a kind of chi, the primal force. While Huang translates the Chinese words, he calls the creatures by their Chinese names. Each spread holds an energetic rendering in brushstroke of the animal, with its name in Chinese characters and in transliteration. These are in black and red, with text printed in various colors, to arresting and lively effect. The language is colloquial; readers will be seduced by the vivacious line and rich verbal description, and will eagerly seek their own animals from the chart at the back. (charts, glossary) (Picture book. 7-12)