Twelve in a Race is a hardcover children's book that takes readers through the origin story of the Chinese zodiac, including the beginning, middle, and ending of the Emperor’s great race. Young readers will enjoy the rhyming pattern and driving question of “Who will win?”

Catherine Little, author of Twelve in a Race, was inspired to write this story for her son so that he could learn more about his Chinese heritage. Twelve in a Race’s illustrations, done by Sae Kimura, an artist originally from Odawara, Japan, richly portray this version of the Chinese zodiac legend and imaginatively showcase each animal’s individual character traits throughout the Emperor’s race. Readers will enjoy finding out which animal placed first, which placed last, and which animal correlates to their birth year. Be sure to make room on your bookshelf for this keepsake to read every Lunar New Year and many times in between!

• Hardcover Children's Book, 36 pages
• Author: Catherine Little
• Artist: Sae Kimura
• Dimensions: 9.00 x 9.00 inches
• Published by: Plumleaf Press Inc
• Distributor: University of Toronto Press
• Publication date: 2022-03-30

CATHERINE LITTLE is an educator, consultant, and writer with a love of children’s books. She wrote Twelve in a Race as a way to introduce her son to another zodiac story in his Chinese heritage. Catherine resides in Toronto, Ontario with her husband and son.

SAE KIMURA is an artist and illustrator originally from Odawara, Japan, now working and exhibiting her art in Toronto and elsewhere. Her artwork can be found in many galleries and private collections.