The Bronze Dog: Stories of the Chinese Zodiac, A Story in English and Chinese

K-Gr 3—A wonderful representation of the Chinese Zodiac legend of the dog. The story of two brothers and their love for each other is tested by the temptations of riches. The two brothers live a very poor life until one day they discover a bronze dog buried in their backyard. The eldest brother knows it can be worth a lot of money, and the brothers begin to imagine how their life would be different: a bigger house, all the food they could eat, and clothes. But before the brothers realize what is happening, the bronze dog swallows the eldest brother. The younger brother panics, ready to destroy the dog to get his brother back. The dog begins to speak and tempts the younger brother with food and a big house in order not to be destroyed. The younger brother refuses all the offers of the dog, knowing all of these riches would mean nothing without the companionship of his brother. The legend showcases the importance of sibling bonds. Having the story in both English and Chinese is an excellent addition. Seeing the beautiful calligraphy characters would pique the interest of curious readers.