Why Cats Chase Mice
A Story of the Twelve Zodiac Signs
2022 New Edition
ISBN: 978-0-578-36916-7
First edition published in 1993 by Heian International, CA under ISBN: 0-89346-533-X
Written and Illustrated by:
Mina Harada Eimon
Why do cats chase mice? And why do cats wash their faces with their paws? This Japanese retelling of the ancient folktale of the twelve zodiac signs explains why!
Filled with vibrant watercolor illustrations, this book follows the animals as they compete in a race that will determine the order of the twelve zodiac signs. Young readers will delight in guessing the outcome, and even learn the names of the animals in Japanese.
Included at the end is a glossary of 13 animal names in Japanese written both in English and Japanese hiragana, with an easy pronunciation guide.
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Author/Illustrator Mina Harada Eimon
Born in Tokyo, Mina Harada Eimon grew up and studied in various countries. She received her B.A. degrees in Visual Arts and Comparative Literature from Brown University, and has also studied at the Rhode Island School of Design and the University of Seville.
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Mina taught art to elementary school children, and worked as a graphic designer and illustrator before focusing on raising her children in a household full of art, music, and dance. Her work includes a children’s Japanese language coloring book, A is for Ame (Asian American Curriculum Project), and various graphic design projects such as the trademark kite logo for Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators. She spent many years volunteering with local youth arts organizations, and is active with the Japanese American community in the San Francisco Bay Area where she currently makes her home.
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Inspiration
There is always a story waiting to be told somewhere in the world. A thousand cranes preciously folded, and strung together like words, have been imbued with hope, beauty, and intention, containing within itself a timeless story of togetherness and shared emotions.