The Monkey King: A Classic Chinese Tale for Children

by David Seow, Lak-Khee Tay-Audouard (Illustrator)

Overview

The Monkey King: A Classic Chinese Tale for Children is inspired by Chinese folktales and legends about Monkey, King of the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit, Great Sage Equal to Heaven. But his friends just call him Monkey! Hilariously mischievous and full of energy, Monkey has uniquely incredible magical powers.

Long ago, the Jade Emperor, the ruler of the Heavens, was so unhappy that China was in great turmoil that he even considered destroying its people. The Goddess of Mercy, Guan Yin, suggested another way—find Lord Buddha's scriptures in India and bring them back to China—this would help the Chinese to become peaceful and kind. This Chinese children's story is about the beginnings of this epic journey, and how Monkey, Pigsy, and Sandy join this quest.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780804857642
Publisher:	Tuttle Publishing
Publication date:	05/14/2024
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.00(d)
Age Range:	3 - 9 Years

About the Author

David Seow was born and raised in Singapore. He studied at Anglo-Chinese School, Oregon Episcopal School, and subsequently the University of Portland, Oregon. After a stint as a sitcom writer with an award-winning television series, he embarked on a career in children's literature. David is the author of twenty-three well-received children's books, including The Littlest Emperor.

Lak-Khee Tay-Audouard, continues her quest, after Singapore Children's Favourite Stories, to recapture the sense of wonder and naivete that most of us lose in the process of growing up. The genuine desire to engage the reader remains the driving force of her inspiration. To portray the mythological characters of this popular legend, these whimsical illustrations have been given an antique look. Lak-Khee is the author of Adventures of the Treasure Fleet.

Editorial Reviews

"An engaging introduction to a classic tale, especially for libraries seeking to expand their Chinese literature selections." —School Library Journal

"The Monkey King: A Classic Chinese Tale for Children is a wonderfully fun story inspired by Chinese legends about the trickster Monkey…This story has plenty of twists and turns, with battle scenes and narrow escapes and a cast of colorful characters. But I could just get lost in the lush illustrations. They are so beautiful and full of life that each page invites you to fall into it head first. This is one you will treasure on your bookshelf." —AllDoneMonkey.com

"Wonderfully entertaining from beginning to end, 'The Monkey King' is an especially recommended addition to family, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections." —Midwest Book Review

"…this will be a useful addition to libraries hoping to expand the diversity of their folklore collections." —Booklist

"This adaptation of the sixteenth-century Chinese novel Journey to the West by Wu Ch'eng-en (itself incorporating Chinese legends and folklore) is beautifully and fancifully illustrated in a traditional style…the story of Tripitaka—a monk sent to India to get Buddhist scriptures from Lord Buddha himself—and his helpers (including the titular Monkey King) is amusing and exciting." —Horn Book Magazine

From the Publisher

03/01/2017
K-Gr 3—The source material, Wu Cheng'en's 16th-century novel Journey to the West, abounds in plot: Seow begins with the Jade Emperor's displeasure at China's disorder. Guan Yin appeases him, promising to send a monk to bring Buddha's words from India. She picks Tripitaka, who encounters Monkey, Pigsy, and then Sandy: each needs saving from the consequences of his past impulsivity (only Monkey's fame awards him top billing). Their stories are so enthralling that the abrupt final sentence—assuring readers that the foursome would have adventures on their journey—is a letdown. However, there is nothing disappointing about the illustrations, which swirl across the pages in vibrant, pearly colors, with scenes viewed from the lofty perspective of goddess or emperor. Intricate designs and subtle details (seal chops, oracle bone—like script, operatic costumes, and traditional decorative motifs) reward repeated readings, while boldface phrases signal to librarians the moment to show a group the illustration. The wider focus complements Ed Young's Monkey King or Ji-Li Jiang's The Magical Monkey King: Mischief in Heaven. VERDICT An engaging introduction to a classic tale, especially for libraries seeking to expand their Chinese literature selections.—Patricia D. Lothrop, formerly at St. George's School, Newport, RI

School Library Journal