Monkey’s Sweet Surprise: A Lunar New Year Mix-Up

Winner-worthy charm for Lunar New Year—brimming with friendship, food, and festive fun!

Monkey’s Sweet Surprise: A Lunar New Year Mix-Up, written by Patricia Tanumihardja and illustrated by Bonnie Lui, whisks readers into the bustling preparations for the Jade Empress’s grand banquet, where a lively cast of zodiac animals—including Mouse Deer from the Malay zodiac and Cat from the Vietnamese and Gurung zodiacs—are hard at work on their favorite celebratory dishes.

Determined to redeem himself after last year’s kooky kitchen catastrophe, Monkey vows to make the Empress’s favorite treat: golden, melt-in-your-mouth pineapple tarts. But as he dashes between chopping, stirring, and mixing, he can’t help lending a hand to friends in need. Soon, Monkey discovers that the sweetest surprises aren’t always the ones you bake—they’re the friendships you grow along the way.

Set in a whimsical world inspired by Southeast Asian zodiac traditions, this warm, funny picture book celebrates the magic of Lunar New Year through Patricia Tanumihardja’s playful, food-infused storytelling and Bonnie Lui’s vibrant, detail-rich illustrations.

Perfect for ages 4–8, Monkey’s Sweet Surprise is ideal for storytime, classroom read-alouds, or Lunar New Year celebrations. It’s a joyous tale that invites children to embrace teamwork, forgive mistakes, and savor the traditions that bring communities together.

★ Advance Praise for Monkey’s Sweet Surprise

“Friendship and forgiveness are the essential ingredients of this deliciously original and truly sweet entry in the rich tradition of Asian zodiac tales.” —Richard Ho, author of Two New Years and Year of the Cat

“Monkey’s Sweet Surprise is a fun twist on the Lunar New Year tales. A story about delicious foods, community, kindness and lifting up one another. A great addition to your Lunar New Year reads!” —Benson Shum, author of Anzu the Great Kaiju