THE RAT, THE OX, AND THE ZODIAC

Richly decorative animals, elegantly patterned Oriental backgrounds, and a cartooned ""demigod,"" Shun Yu: it is Le Cain's double page arrangements of these elements that attract attention as Shun Yu polls ten of the twelve zodiac animals on who should lead them as the Beast of the First Year. In fact without the visual display an audience might become impatient with this Chinese legend as the votes alternate between Ox, who is running on his strength, and Rat, whose attribute is wisdom. But after the election ends, predictably in a tie, the question is taken to the people and Rat in true folk hero style employs his wits to influence the outcome. More opulence than energy, but a pleasing showpiece and sure to be admired.