Which Chinese calendar are you?

Guardians of the New Moon: The Year of the Ox

Written by: Eric Huang

Illustrated by: Phung Nguyen Quang

Published by: Little Tiger

Published on: July 3rd 2025

Price: £6.99

Age: 8+

ISBN: 978 1 78895 756 4

Thanks to the UKLA for the review copy.

What’s it all about? Miaow, Ming and Xiao Nioh (an Ox) are living a year after the great race (the race that decided which animal was the lead for each year in the Chinese calendar). They are tasked to try and help a distant village in China (by showing them how to produce more food from their farming) and for Xiao Nioh to prove himself as a worthy leader of the New Year. Additionally, he wants to prove himself to his own father; he wants to be a dancer, but his dad wants him to be a warrior. The book contains a glossary, which is interesting, with some great facts about traditional Chinese beliefs. The black and white illustrations are welcoming and exciting and quite frequent. This, along with short chapters would help those who are finding long chapter books tricky. The story contains strong themes of friendship, family loyalty and believing in yourself, which are excellent values to install in children when reading this book with them or to them.

Why should I read it? Personally, I found the story a little disjointed and some of the events in the story seemed forced. However, if someone enjoys this one, there is a whole series of them to get stuck into! The relationship between Xiao Nioh and his father is a constant theme and interesting to watch: it would make a great discussion point for children in Years 4 upwards.