I got this ex-library hardcover from Better World Books. It presents an interesting variation on the Chinese Zodiac myth; here, it isn't a race among the twelve animals for position. Instead, only the rat and the ox are at odds over who should be first, the ox claiming his size and strength are most important and the rat claiming his brain's the best. A poll of the other animals ends in a tie, so the choice is left up to the people, but the rat points out that he's so small nobody will even see him if he parades next to the ox. He's permitted to be doubled in size, with the ox amused that even a double-sized rat is tiny next to an ox - but lo! the people are astounded to see so big a rat that the don't even notice the ox! Hence the rat is the first in the zodiac!

I left this book in the Little Free Library near the playground; hope someone enjoys it!

[See other recent releases in NH here.]

*** Released for the 2020 Asian Zodiac/Year of the Rat Release Challenge. ***