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The Year of the Snake: Tales from the Chinese Zodiac (Tales from the Chinese Zodiac, 8) Hardcover – Picture Book, November 27, 2012

by Oliver Chin (Editor), Jennifer Wood (Illustrator)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 25 ratings
See all formats and editions
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Suzie wants to prove to everyone that snakes have what it takes! This helpful serpent’s misison to rewrite social stereotypes celebrates the new year.

Suzie is a young serpent who seeks high-flying adventure. The girl Lily befriends the snake, much to her grandparents' chagrin. However, Suzie aims to shed others' negative perceptions of snakes. Can she prove her versatility to Lily's family and the neighboring animals? And what will Suzie do when the wisest choice is to lie low? 2013 was The Year of the Snake.

When others doubt her, can Suzie show that an adaptable attitude can overcome all obstacles? Illustrating expressive characters and vibrant action, artist Jennifer Wood creates an inviting new world for readers to explore. Tales from the Chinese Zodiac is a popular annual children’s book series showcasing the twelve charming animals that embody the Chinese New Year.

Suzie’s rollercoaster ride to discover her true nature will delight children and adults alike. Kids love identifying with how each animal embarks on a unique quest to discover his or her own character: Bright and dynamic illustrations will appeal to parents, those interested in Asian culture, and, of course, lovers of serpents and dragons.

Teachers appreciate how Tales from the Chinese Zodiac is the only English series on each of the animals of the Chinese lunar calendar. Librarians like how it one of the longest-running children's book series featuring Asian American themes. Now readers everywhere can enjoy these entertaining and original tales.

“The book is gorgeously illustrated by Jennifer Wood in lush pastels... The heartwarming story about overcoming misconceptions resounds in any culture.. Despite the scales and fangs, Suzie is a snake with a heart of gold.”
- Sampan

Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    3 - 8 years
  2. Part of series
    Tales from the Chinese Zodiac
  3. Print length
    36 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Grade level
    Preschool - 3
  6. Lexile measure
    AD680L
  7. Dimensions
    10 x 0.25 x 10.5 inches
  8. Publisher
    Immedium
  9. Publication date
    November 27, 2012
  10. ISBN-10
    1597020389
  11. ISBN-13
    978-1597020381
  12. See all details
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From the Publisher

Lily and Suzie become friends fast!

Lily and Suzie become friends fast!

Immedium
About the Publisher

Immedium inspires a world of imagination and creates wonderfully entertaining children’s picture books. Based in San Francisco, CA, Immedium sits on the Pacific Rim, a vibrant intersection for crossover trends from Asia and America, and embraces an increasingly diverse world. 40% of our titles feature multicultural themes and characters; 25% are bilingual.

Families love the Tales from the Chinese Zodiac!

Praise for The Year of the Snake

“The book is gorgeously illustrated by Jennifer Wood in lush pastels.. The heartwarming story about overcoming misconceptions resounds in any culture. It also doesn’t hurt that the heroine is playful and enjoys being a little girl’s jump rope. Despite the scales and fangs, Suzie is a snake with a heart of gold.” - Sampan

“Children will delight in all the ingenious ways Suzie helps out – and it can be no accident that Chin has created a story that resonates with ‘s’ sounds, just perfect for reading this snake story aloud.” - Paper Tigers

Year of the Snake

Susie the Snake is sensational!

“Each [Tales from the Chinese Zodiac] combines a sense of tenacious accomplishment with just plain rollicking fun. Illustrator Jennifer Wood makes sure to imbue every page with energy in motion – ‘dazzling and colorful’... Part cultural exploration, part goofy adventure, part morality tale, and just a wee bit of sort-of-hidden snark for parents to giggle over, Chin’s latest title is also an adorable reminder to get out in the world and enjoy this ‘sensational Year of the Snake.’ ” - BookDragon, Smithsonian Book Blog

“There are subtle themes of looking past prejudice to one’s true nature that you can point out if you wish–or just let your kids enjoy the silly illustrations and tuck ‘em in." - I Overthink Everything

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The latest two offerings in Oliver Chin's series of Tales from the Chinese Zodiac, this year's The Year of the Snake and last year's The Year of the Dragon are welcome additions to this imaginative menagerie of endearing characters, whose stories embody the chief characteristics of each animal of the Chinese Zodiac in turn." - Paper Tigers

"The symbolic nature of the snake being wise and intelligent and good at making things turn out just the way it wants in business and otherwise quietly shines through in this book in a friendly and fun sort of way. There are subtle themes of looking past prejudice to one’s true nature that you can point out if you wish–or just let your kids enjoy the silly illustrations and tuck ‘em in." - I Overthink Everything

“Illustrator Jennifer Wood makes sure to imbue every page with energy in motion – ‘dazzling and colorful’ ... Part cultural exploration, part goofy adventure, part morality tale, and just a wee bit of sort-of-hidden snark for parents to giggle over, Chin’s latest title is also an adorable reminder to get out in the world and enjoy this “sensational Year of the Snake.” - BookDragon, Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center

"In The Year of the Snake, Chin has managed to weave an adventurous story of friendship and acceptance into an important cultural lesson about the Chinese Zodiac... As a Teacher Librarian, I am continually searching for books that have a positive message as well as captivating illustrations, and The Year of the Snake is just that! - Julie Griffin, Palo Alto Unified School District, CA

From the Back Cover

"Each [Tale from the Chinese Zodiac] combines a sense of tenacious accomplishment with just plain rollicking fun. Illustrator Jennifer Wood makes sure to imbue every page with energy in motion – ‘dazzling and colorful’... Chin’s latest title is also an adorable reminder to get out in the world and enjoy this ‘sensational Year of the Snake.’ " — Smithsonian Book Blog

"Humor, adventure, and tradition come together for another fun installment in Oliver Chin's Chinese Zodiac series. Don't be scared off by the scales and fangs. Suzie is one snake you'll wish you had around!" — Michelle Loomis, San Mateo County Library, CA

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Immedium (November 27, 2012)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 36 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1597020389
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1597020381
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 - 8 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD680L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10 x 0.25 x 10.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 25 ratings

About the authors

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Previous page
  1. Oliver Chin

    Oliver Chin

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Hi! I'm the author of more than twenty children's picture books. I love creating stories that both kids and adults can get a kick out of (and enjoy countless times), and collaborating with amazing artists who bring these brave new worlds to life.

    Our newest title is an exciting illustrated anthology Awesome Asian Americans: 20 Stars Who Made America Amazing. Formatted like a graphic novel, it features 10 women and 10 men from a rainbow of backgrounds and occupations.

    Our new series The Asian Hall of Fame explores fantastic inventions from Asia. Each is the first English children's picture book on the subject. Dao is a cute red panda who brings the kids Emma and Ethan back in time... and then back to the future! Their first trip was The Discovery of Ramen. The sequel explores the creation of Fireworks and Gunpowder. The third adventure returns to Japan to investigate the inventions of Anime and Manga.

    A rainbow of animals inhabit the popular annual series The Tales from the Chinese Zodiac. This is the only series in English that features each of the animals of the Lunar New Year. We've completed twelve unique adventures and are revising each new edition with a bilingual translation in simplified Chinese. Now we have a limited edition box set that collects the whole series.

    I'm also the publisher of Immedium (www.immedium.com) which is a San Francisco publisher of children's books and contemporary art and culture. Our titles include the original tales of The Octonauts (www.octonauts.com), which is now a hit animated TV series worldwide and airs on the Disney Channel in the USA and Netflix.

    Other children's books feature themes range from trains, monsters (www.monsterisle.net), pirates, and inspirational martial arts heroine Julie Black Belt (www.julieblackbelt.com).

    My first books were a graphic novel on 9-11, and a sports commentary on Yao Ming and the Tao.

    I graduated magna cum laude from Harvard in 1991. My family lives in San Francisco, CA.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Oliver Clyde Chin

    Oliver Clyde Chin

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Hi! I'm the author of twenty children's picture books, a graphic novel on 9-11, and a sports commentary on Yao Ming and the Tao.

    I love creating stories that both kids and adults can get a kick out of (and enjoy countless times), and collaborating with amazing artists who bring these brave new worlds to life.

    Themes range from trains, monsters (www.monsterisle.net), pirates, and inspirational martial arts heroine Julie Black Belt (www.julieblackbelt.com).

    A rainbow of animals inhabit the popular annual series The Tales from the Chinese Zodiac. This is the only series in English that features each of the animals of the Lunar New Year. We've completed twelve unique adventures and are revising each new edition with a bilingual translation in simplified Chinese. Now we have a limited edition box set that collects the whole series.

    Our new series The Asian Hall of Fame explores fantastic inventions from Asia. Each is the first English children's picture book on the subject. Dao is a cute red panda who brings the kids Emma and Ethan back in time... and then back to the future! Their first trip was The Discovery of Ramen. The sequel was the The Discovery of Fireworks and Gunpowder.

    I'm also the publisher of Immedium (www.immedium.com) which is a San Francisco publisher of children's books and contemporary art and culture. Our titles include the original tales of The Octonauts (www.octonauts.com), which is now a hit animated TV series worldwide and airs on the Disney Channel in the USA and Netflix.

    I graduated magna cum laude from Harvard in 1991. My family lives in San Francisco, CA.

    See more on the author's page
Next page

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
25 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Doc. Shock
5.0 out of 5 stars Oliver Chin's stories for kids are fun
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2013
Verified Purchase
I bought this for my soon to be 7-year-old niece who was adopted from China when she was 8 months old. She s a delightful child whose parents very much want her to know and appreciate her culture of origin. Chin has a way of making the stories fun and meaningful. As this (2013) is the Year of the Snake, I thought it would be fun for Erin to read.
3 people found this helpful
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Laura Givens
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2018
Verified Purchase
These are great books with a cute story featuring a Chinese Zodiac. My 3rd grade students love when I read them these books.
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Marnie @ Carrots Are Orange
4.0 out of 5 stars A Delightful Celebration of Chinese Culture: The Year of the Snake: Tales from the Chinese Zodiac
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2023
Verified Purchase
"The Year of the Snake: Tales from the Chinese Zodiac" is a charming addition to the "Tales from the Chinese Zodiac" series, offering young readers a delightful glimpse into Chinese culture through engaging storytelling. Authored by Oliver Chin, this eighth installment in the series is a vibrant and educational journey that celebrates the significance of the snake in the Chinese zodiac.

One of the standout features of this book is its captivating storytelling. Oliver Chin weaves a tale that effortlessly transports readers into the enchanting world of Chinese mythology and folklore. The story follows the adventures of a young snake named Suzie, who embarks on a quest to discover her hidden talents and fulfill her destiny during the Year of the Snake. Through her journey, readers not only learn about the characteristics associated with the snake in the Chinese zodiac but also the values of determination, resilience, and self-discovery.

The book is beautifully illustrated by Jennifer Wood, whose colorful and lively artwork brings the story to life. The illustrations are vibrant, detailed, and visually appealing, capturing the essence of Chinese culture and mythology. Each page is a visual treat, filled with intricate details that immerse readers in the world of Suzie and her companions.

One of the strengths of this book is its educational value. In addition to the engaging narrative, "The Year of the Snake" offers valuable insights into Chinese traditions and customs associated with the Lunar New Year and the Chinese zodiac. Young readers will learn about the significance of the snake in Chinese culture, as well as the traits and characteristics associated with those born in the Year of the Snake. This cultural exploration promotes understanding and appreciation of different traditions, making it an enriching experience for readers.

The book's length and pacing are well-suited for its target audience, allowing children to stay engaged throughout the story. The narrative flows smoothly, and the author skillfully balances the storytelling with educational elements, ensuring an enjoyable reading experience.

However, some readers may feel that the story could have delved deeper into certain aspects of Chinese culture or provided more historical context. Additionally, while the focus on the Year of the Snake is central to the story, readers may yearn for more substantial character development or additional storylines.

"The Year of the Snake: Tales from the Chinese Zodiac" is a captivating and culturally enriching book that celebrates Chinese traditions and mythology through an engaging narrative. With its vibrant illustrations and educational content, this book offers young readers an entertaining way to learn about the Chinese zodiac and the significance of the snake. Whether it's read during the Lunar New Year or as part of an exploration of different cultures, this book is a valuable addition to any child's library.
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Quan Schneider
5.0 out of 5 stars Great lesson for all
Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2019
Verified Purchase
Great book with a wonderful lesson! My daughter loved it!!
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PatriciaS
5.0 out of 5 stars very cute!
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2014
Verified Purchase
I bought this one for my daughter, she was born the year of the snake. The book is very sweet with nice illustrations and nice message for kids. Loved it!
2 people found this helpful
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EYS
5.0 out of 5 stars So cute love it
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2017
Verified Purchase
Very cute story. My girls love the series
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars great series
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2013
Verified Purchase
I want to get the whole collection of stories. My daughters are waiting for the ram and the rooster especially.
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Susanna H
5.0 out of 5 stars Cute story
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2013
Verified Purchase
Anyone can appreciate this friendship tale.
I would recommend it, Chinese New Year or not!
Beautiful drawings.
Length was "just right\."
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Top reviews from other countries

Belinda Frank
5.0 out of 5 stars Cute, cute cute
Reviewed in Canada on February 15, 2013
Verified Purchase
I didn't know this when I bought the book but it has the name of the child I bought it for and my nick name as well. This was an added surprise. It is very cute and colorful. I love it and so does the mama and papa to be I bought it for.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Cute stories to incorporate the Chinese zodiac... ...
Reviewed in Canada on April 18, 2016
Verified Purchase
Cute stories to incorporate the Chinese zodiac...we have 4 (Year of the monkey, ox, snake and sheep) so far and hope to complete the set.
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