The Horse Race: Based on the Ancient Chinese Classic Tian Ji’s Horse Race

Based on a beloved 2,000-year-old Chinese classic, this tale, set in the ancient Chinese kingdom of Qi, chronicles a competition between King Qi Wang and Tian Ji, one of his subordinates. More than a simple equestrian story, the narrative explores the relationship between a king and his subordinates, revealing what can happen when the ruler abuses his rank and privilege. Incorporating Chinese history, culture, and especially language, this bilingual tale helps kids sound out the Chinese characters, offering them a friendly introduction to a difficult language. Truly comprehensive, the charming account also functions as a military allegory, a math lesson in bipartite matching, and a semantic exercise that helps children interpret rules.