The entertaining adventures of your favorite

animals continue in The Year of the Ox! Olivia is

a young cow eager to make her mark in the world.

But growing up is challenging, as Olivia learns

that helping sometimes is harder than it looks.

When her friend Mei gets in trouble, can Olivia

rescue her adopted sister and her reputation at

the same time?

Olivias rousing quest to unearth her true nature

will delight children and adults alike. Fourth in

the annual series, Tales from the Chinese Zodiac,

The Year of the Ox features all the charismatic

creatures of the Chinese lunar calendar and shows

how fun it is to have a cow!

Ox Rat Tiger

PIg

For nearly 5,000 years, the Chinese culture has organized time in cycles of twelve years. This Eastern calendar is based upon the movement of the moon (as compared to the Western which follows the sun) and is symbolized by the zodiac circle. An animal that has unique qualities represents each year. Therefore, if you are born in a particular year,

Rabbit

Dog

then you share the personality of that animal. Now people worldwide celebrate this two-week long festival in the early spring and enjoy the start of another Chinese New Year.

Dragon

Rooster

Snake

Monkey

Horse

Sheep

To my grandparents whose love and labor enabled a better life for generations to come. O.C. To my familythank you for your love and support. Without your selfless sacrifice, this book would not have been possible. You truly are my greatest blessing. J.A.

Immedium, Inc. P.O. Box 31846 San Francisco, CA 94131 www.immedium.com Text Copyright 2008 Oliver Chin Illustrations Copyright 2008 Jeremiah Alcorn All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Immedium Special Sales at sales@immedium.com. First hardcover edition published 2008. Edited by Don Menn Book design by Elaine Chu Calligraphy by Lucy Chu Printed in Singapore 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Chin, Oliver Clyde, 1969The year of the ox : tales from the Chinese zodiac / by Oliver Chin ; illustrated by Miah Alcorn. -- 1st hardcover ed. p. cm. Summary: Olivia the ox learns what her best qualities really are when her friend Mei needs help when a flood threatens their village. Lists the birth years and characteristics of individuals born in the Chinese Year of the Ox. ISBN-13: 978-1-59702-015-2 (hardcover) ISBN-10: 1-59702-015-X [1. Oxen--Fiction. 2. Astrology, Chinese--Fiction.] I. Alcorn, Miah, ill. II. Title. PZ7.C44235Ydr 2009 [E]--dc22 2008003273 ISBN: 1-59702-015-X ISBN 13: 978-1-59702-015-2

Immedium, Inc. San Francisco

Light glistened off the morning dew, and the rising sun welcomed another day. Inside the stables, Mama and Papa Ox yawned after a long night. Resting in their bed of hay, they tickled their new baby.

Mama smiled, Hello there, honey. Only a few hours old, the youngster was rustling about already.

She had a sweet and peaceful manner, so Papa suggested, Lets call her Olivia.

The proud parents introduced the calf to their friends. Shell be a big gal! they all agreed. Mama whispered, Tomorrow youll meet the farmers daughter. Her name is Mei.

During her first visit, the girl petted Olivia and combed her hair. I know well be best friends, smiled Mei, and she adopted Olivia as her little sister. The grateful heifer promised,

Ill always look out for you!

Ox
1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 People born in the Year of the Ox are patient, stout, and down-to-earth. They are plain-spoken and hard-working. But sometimes they can be creatures of habit cautious and headstrong. Though they may be slow to rouse, oxen are dependable characters indeed.

$15.95 USA

Oliver Chin is the author of the Tales from the Chinese Zodiac series, Welcome to Monster Isle, Julie Black Belt, Timmy and Tammys Train of Thought, and The Adventures of WonderBaby. His family lives a in San Francisco, California.

Jeremiah Alcorn is the artist of the Tales from the Chinese Zodiac series. He is a professional animator and his family resides in Alabama.

The exuberant digital illustrations show Julies journey from enthusiastic beginner... youngsters interested in the sport will be thrilled to follow Julies adventures. School Library Journal

If Ive learned anything about favorite picture books, it will be requested so much even the kids will have it memorized almost word for word in no time. - Model Railroad News

...the alphabet section is one of the best I have ever seen...This book is engaging and educating. A real keeper... - The Opionionated Parent

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Printed in Singapore

I love it when my children are able to learn about the beliefs and traditions of different cultures, and books from the Tales from the Chinese Zodiac series are a great way for them to do so. I highly recommend starting your own collection!" - The Boutique Caf [The illustrations of ] artist Jeremiah Alcorn are reminiscent of the work of Chuck Jones, the animator behind such Warner Bros. cartoon characters as Bugs Bunny. They look like animation stills." - Paul Kilduff, The San Francisco Chronicle Though recommended for elementary students, The Year of the Rat is steeped in Asian culture and will appeal to readers of all ages." - Paper Tigers
US $15.95

www.immedium.com