The Year of the Dog: Tales From The Chinese Zodiac by Oliver Chin (illustrated by Jeremiah Alcorn)
Reviewed by: Renny Fong
About the author:
Oliver Chin is is the author of critically-acclaimed The Adventures of WonderBaby: from A to Z, sports commentary The Tao of Yao: Insights from Basketball’s Brightest Big Man, and graphic novel 9 of 1: A Window to the World. A reviewer for Comics Buyer's Guide and columnist for Comics and Games Retailer, he lives with his wife and two children in San Francisco, CA.
About the illustrator:
Jeremiah Alcorn is an accomplished artist, character developer and game designer. Winner of the 2003 ACME animation competition, Alcorn resides in Alabama with his wife and three children.
About the book:
2006 is the Year of the Dog! Born on New Year’s Day, the puppy Daniel explores the world with his parents and the girl Lin, and learns how to become "man's best friend.” Growing up is an adventure, as Daniel and Lin soon share colorful travels. But being a good dog takes practice, as Daniel realizes when he barks up the wrong tree! Can Daniel prove his loyalty and dependability by helping Lin when she needs him the most?
My take on the book:
Being that my son was born in the Year of the Dog (2006), we had to read this one together. He thought it was so funny that the dog, Daniel, was born in the Year of the Dog. After all, people are supposed to be born in the Year of the Dog, right?
Oliver Chin playfully reveals the virtues of loyalty, honesty, and faithfulness (qualities which people born in the Year of the Dog are supposed to possess) through Daniel’s adventure-filled journey with his best friend, a girl named Lin. Daniel protects Lin at all costs and learns many lessons along the way. The tale, along with the wonderfully animated pictures by Miah Alcorn, makes for a fun read for young children and their parents. With this book, you could definitely judge it by its cover.
My son’s take on the book:
I asked my son if he could type about the story, after we read it together. Here are some of the things he typed, as he looked through the book again:
“I Like the DOG.
Years of the dog 1910 1922 1934 1946 1958 1970 1982 1994 MY YEAR 2006 2018
Dogs Are the Cheerfulist year. If You are Born on 2006 Like me Malachy.”
Looks like a fun book!