Monkey King - by Alina Chau (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Drawing from classic Chinese adventure Journey to the West, Alina Chau's bright new adaptation centers on the Monkey King's wild beginnings and brings one of mythology's most unforgettable troublemakers to life in a whole new way.

Sun Wukong wasn't born in the usual way--he hatched from an egg atop Hua Guo Mountain, full of big dreams and an even bigger attitude. With a shape-shifting staff, a cloud he can ride like lightning, and an unstoppable belief in himself, Wukong isn't just another monkey . . . he's the Monkey King.

When word of his wild powers reaches the Heavenly Realm, the gods try to keep him close to prevent any chaos. But Wukong didn't come all this way to play by someone else's rules. And when he decides to shake things up, the skies themselves might not be ready for the storm he's about to unleash. Can one monkey's mischief really cause an uproar in heaven?

Combining Alina's sumptuous, dreamy art with a faithful, respectful adaptation of a favorite mythical tale, Uproar in Heaven still manages to be as much fun as a barrel full of monkeys.

Review Quotes

"A respectful, accurate, and visually delightful retelling that's both ambitious and enthralling."--Kirkus, starred review

"Graphic storytelling at its finest, this book belongs in every library." --School Library Journal, starred review

"This book serves not only as an excellent introduction to Chinese mythology but an entertaining pick for kids who like adventurous tricksters." --Booklist

About the Author

Alina Chau is an award-winning filmmaker and artist. Her credits include the Emmy Award-winning Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series, and numerous best-selling games. She illustrated The Nian Monster, which received the 2018 APALA Picture Book Honor. Her creative vision is strongly influenced by her Chinese-Indonesian upbringing. As a child, she was always fascinated by her grandmother's stories, colorful sarongs, and delicate wooden sculptures brought from Southeast Asia. The aroma of Indonesian food still brings back loving memories of sitting next to Grandma and drawing while Grandma prepared spices from scratch.