Today, February 10, 2013 is Chinese New Year.  In many Asian cultures, each year is assigned a different animal of the Shêngxiào, also known as the Chinese Zodiac.  There are twelve signs: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.  2013 is the Year of the Snake.  It is predicted to be a year characterized by steady progress with a focus on attention to detail.  Why would those qualities be assigned to a snake?  Read one of these books to find out.
101 Facts About Snakes by Julia Barnes
The Best Book of Snakes by Christiane Gunzi
The Pebble First Guide to Snakes by Katy R. Kudela
Slinky, Scaly Snakes by Jennifer Dusling
Snakes by Nic Bishop
Snakes Up Close! by Thea Feldman

And if you want to learn more about the Chinese Zodiac or Chinese New Year, try one of these titles.
Cat and Rat: The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac by Ed Young
Celebrate Chinese New Year by Carolyn Otto
Chinese New Year Crafts by Karen E. Bledsoe
D Is for Dragon Dance by Ying Change Compestine
The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac by Dawn Casey
The Year of the Snake: Tales from the Chinese Zodiac by Oliver Chin