Gr 1-3-Piglet Patty, new to Farmer Wu's farm, demonstrates qualities associated with those born in the Year of the Pig. The sociable animal quickly learns about her new home and the other Chinese zodiac animals that live there, including the ox, horse, sheep, and dog. However, her impulsive, stubborn, and inquisitive nature resists learning the manners that her aunts and uncles try to teach her. Then Farmer Wu's jade ring disappears, and even cousin dog's sniffing cannot locate it. With Mama and Papa Pig's encouragement, Patty uses her intelligence to sneak out of the barnyard, find the farmer's misplaced glove, and follow its strange scent to the compost heap. With determination, she recovers the missing ring. Her success earns her the respect and acceptance of the farmer, his family, and her barnyard cousins. Computer-generated graphics feature bright colors, angular cartoon figures, and visually appealing textures. The text, written in short sentences, large font, and easy vocabulary, would be suitable for beginning readers, but the many bold illustrations peppered across the pages disrupt the book's flow. Although brief notes mention the origin of the Chinese zodiac and qualities associated with the pig, the purpose of this original story is not to inform but to entertain. Purchase where Chin's The Year of the Dog (Immedium, 2006) is popular or where interest in these zodiac animals is high.-Julie R. Ranelli, Kent Island Branch Library, Stevensville, MD Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.