Mimi and Shu in I'll Race You!

by Christian Trimmer, Melissa van der Paardt (Illustrator)

Overview

Mimi and Shu are in a race to make history (and dessert) in this inventive and fun reimagining of the origins of the Chinese zodiac.

Shu the mouse has his eyes set on making history. His best friend Mimi the cat, on the other hand, has her eyes set on cupcakes. When Emperor Jade invites Mimi, Shu, and a bunch of their animal friends to his big race for a spot in the Chinese zodiac—and a big plate of cupcakes—Shu and Mimi are determined to win. But with their eyes set on different prizes, can Mimi and Shu work together to win Emperor Jade’s great race? Or will the lure of sweet (and sugary) victory come between them for good?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781481423311
Publisher:	Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	12/15/2015
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
Lexile:	AD500L (what's this?)
File size:	12 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Christian Trimmer is a children’s book editor and writer. He is the author of Simon’s New Bed, Mimi and Shu in I’ll Race You!, Teddy’s Favorite Toy, and Snow Pony and the Seven Miniature Ponies. He lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his partner. Learn more about him, his books, and lots of other things at ChristianTrimmer.com.
Melissa van der Paardt is a digital artist working in animation and illustration currently residing in southern California. When she’s not drawing, Melissa enjoys playing video games, collecting trading cards, and watching whole TV series in one sitting. You can find more of her work at SketchinThoughts.Tumblr.com.

Editorial Reviews

11/01/2015
PreS-Gr 2—Mimi the Kitten and Shu the Mouse are best friends. They join the emperor's big race in hopes of winning glory and cupcakes. Shu has plans for how to defeat each of his adversaries, while Mimi cares only about the cupcakes. When the two friends are nearing the finish line, however, both Mimi and Shu abandon their alliance and Shu ends up pushing Mimi into the river. He feels guilty for his actions and apologizes by giving Mimi his cupcake prize. This curious tale is actually a reimagining of the creation of the Chinese Zodiac, although that does not become evident until the final pages. The setup for the race is awkward, and the story feels strained throughout. The cartoon art is cute and colorful, although it is not immediately clear that Mimi is supposed to be a cat and not a raccoon. The story's ending, when the animals become the symbols of the Chinese Zodiac, seems contrived, and overall the moral disappoints. VERDICT In trying to be a friendship story with a moral as well as a folksy reimagining, the story ends up missing the mark on all counts.—Ellen Norton, Naperville Public Library, Naperville, IL

School Library Journal

2015-09-21
In the story of a "Tortoise and the Hare"-like race by way of the Chinese zodiac, a friendship between a cunning mouse and a snack-obsessed kitten is tested. Shu the mouse and Mimi the kitten are invited by Jade Emperor to a palace race promising "Cupcakes! PRIZES! Did I mention cupcakes?!" While Shu, a crafty, industrious planner, strategizes, Mimi daydreams of sweets. Soon, they're outwitting and outracing Dragon, Rabbit, Ox, and other fierce competitors. It only takes a moment of bad judgment, however, for Mimi to lose sight of her friendship with Shu and to not only lose the race, but her spot on the zodiac. Why do you think there's no Year of the Cat? Apart from its pourquoi-tale aspect, the book presents an opportunity for young readers to learn about the rewards of hard work as well as the merits of forgiveness as thoughtful Shu saves the last cupcake for his wayward kitten friend. Illustrations throughout are action-packed, with big, bright, expressive faces of animals in motion. The closing endpapers present all 12 Chinese zodiac animals, years (not the lunar ones, though), and personality traits ("Horse: You are outgoing and funny! Make sure to finish what you start! 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026"). If the story is not dazzlingly original, it's at least an entry point to learn about one of the ways animals are anthropomorphized in the histories of different cultures. (Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews