Monkey’s Sweet Surprise: A Lunar New Year Mix-Up (Tales from the Zodiac Kitchen)

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. (Dec.)