Book excerpt: The son of the famous Monkey King and Queen, Max takes a journey to be the best! This story features a bilingual Chinese translation. 2016 is The Year of the Monkey! The son of the legendary parents, Max has a lot to live up to. Now starting school, he befriends the boy Kai and learns a new sport. Succeeding in class is not easy, but luckily playing in the gym is! But when his parents tell him of their great expectations, does Max have what it takes to fly sky high? When facing a lofty destiny and rugged adversity, can Max forge his own claim to fame? Illustrating expressive characters and vibrant action, artist Kenji Ono creates an inviting new world for readers to explore. Tales from the Chinese Zodiac is a popular annual children’s book series showcasing the twelve charming animals that embody the Chinese New Year. identifying with how each animal embarks on a unique quest to discover his or her own character: Bright and dynamic illustrations will appeal to parents, those interested in Asian culture, and, of course, animal lovers. Teachers appreciate how Tales from the Chinese Zodiac is the only English series on each of the animals of the Chinese lunar calendar. Librarians like how it one of the longest-running children's book series featuring Asian American themes. Now readers everywhere can enjoy these entertaining and original tales. - - - "Illustrated by professional animator Kenji Ono, the dynamic artwork makes the zodiac animals jump off the pages. It's great fun to look for all 12 animals appearing throughout the book... Max exudes energy and determination, two wonderful traits to carry into the Year of the Monkey to achieve your dreams." - Sampan "Old meets new in this original story that celebrates the forthcoming Year of the Monkey with superhero-style comic art... How Max and Kai, his human partner, progress through a big-time tournament makes for an exciting trajectory and a charming affirmation. The take-away: Find your own way. This 11th book in the Tales from the Chinese Zodiac series has energy, adventure and culture." - San Francisco Chronicle "The Year of the Monkey immediately gained my enthusiasm... The illustrations are amazing. The action flies off the spreads. Max and the other characters are larger-than-life, full of spirit, energy, and emotion. I like the bright, active colors and the distinctive Chinese look some characters possess." - Kid Lit Reviews