Monkey's Sweet Surprise
A Lunar New Year Mix-Up
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
A delightful Lunar New Year adventure inspired by the Vietnamese, Gurung, and Malay zodiac traditions—filled with friendship, teamwork, and delicious desserts!
Monkey's Sweet Surprise: A Lunar New Year Mix-Up whisks young readers to the Jade Empress’s grand banquet, where a charming cast of Zodiac animals—including the Mousedeer (from the Malay zodiac) and the Cat (from the Vietnamese and Gurung zodiacs)—are preparing their finest festive dishes. Determined to redeem himself after last year’s kitchen catastrophe, Monkey sets out to make the Empress’s favorite dessert—pineapple tarts. But along the way, he discovers that the sweetest surprises come from helping his friends and working together.
Set in a whimsical world inspired by these rich zodiac traditions, this beautifully illustrated picture book blends Southeast Asian cultural heritage, imaginative storytelling, and a deep love of food. Perfect for ages 4–8, it celebrates the spirit of Lunar New Year while sharing timeless lessons in friendship, teamwork, and forgiveness.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this bustling Lunar New Year celebration of teamwork and tradition, Tanumihardja incorporates animal signs of the Gurung, Malay, and Vietnamese zodiacs. Having made an embarrassing blunder at the previous Lunar New Year celebration (and avoided friends ever since), Monkey is determined to fix things by preparing the Jade Empress's favorite dessert—pineapple tarts—for her grand banquet. Lui's digitally created colorblock-like illustrations portray dot-eyed animals preparing their own desserts, including sesame peanut candy and fried honey cookies. But after borrowing ingredients from peers, Monkey hears the pals, in turn, cry for help with missing components. In a race against the clock, Monkey takes off to help his friends and bake his tarts—a choice that ends in a warm resolution and the promise of further camaraderie. A recipe concludes. Ages 4–8.
