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The Magical Monkey King: Mischief in Heaven
The ALA Notable author of Red Scarf Girl presents traditional tales about the Monkey King, the irrepressible trickster hero of Chinese legend. Embellished with Hui Hui Su-Kennedy's charming black-and-white illustrations, these hilarious stories bring the Monkey King and his friends to life.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
4 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Ji-li Jiang
12 books97 followersComing from Shanghai, China, in 1984, where she used to be a science teacher, author Ji-li Jiang studied in Hawaii then worked as a corporate Operations Analyst and Budgeting Director for several years. In 1992, she co-founded East West Exchange, Inc., a company created to promote and facilitate cultural and business exchanges between China and the western countries.
Ji-li's first book, Red Scarf Girl fulfilled a long cherished wish to tell her story about what happened to her, her family, her neighborhood, and to her school during the 1960s Cultural Revolution in China. Red Scarf Girl won an ALA 1998 Best Book for Young Adults award, ALA Notable Book award, was cited by Publishers Weekly 1997 as one of the Best Nonfiction Books for Children, as well as a Parenting magazine Magic Awards—1997 Most Wonderful Children's Books. To reach so many children with her own story has been very meaningful to Ms. Jiang.
Today, Ji-li lives in the San Francisco area. Besides writing, she devotes her time to various cultural exchange programs; organizing groups to study alternative medicine in China; bringing Chinese art troupes to perform in the States; sending students to summer camps in China to understand the Chinese culture, etc.
She says, "If there is one goal I'd like to achieve in my life it is to bridge the gap between China and the western countries. I strongly believe that a better understanding around the world is the basis of world peace."
Ji-li's first book, Red Scarf Girl fulfilled a long cherished wish to tell her story about what happened to her, her family, her neighborhood, and to her school during the 1960s Cultural Revolution in China. Red Scarf Girl won an ALA 1998 Best Book for Young Adults award, ALA Notable Book award, was cited by Publishers Weekly 1997 as one of the Best Nonfiction Books for Children, as well as a Parenting magazine Magic Awards—1997 Most Wonderful Children's Books. To reach so many children with her own story has been very meaningful to Ms. Jiang.
Today, Ji-li lives in the San Francisco area. Besides writing, she devotes her time to various cultural exchange programs; organizing groups to study alternative medicine in China; bringing Chinese art troupes to perform in the States; sending students to summer camps in China to understand the Chinese culture, etc.
She says, "If there is one goal I'd like to achieve in my life it is to bridge the gap between China and the western countries. I strongly believe that a better understanding around the world is the basis of world peace."
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 2, 2018
This one would be fun to read to a kid. :) This is a crazy monkey!
July 24, 2019
Is Donald J. Trump really the Magical Monkey King of ancient Chinese folklore?
I started reading this classic Chinese tale retold by ALA Notable Book author Ji-li Jiang, published in 2002, before bringing it down to my neighborhood tiny library for release and enjoyment by a child. I remember reading many of these tales more than 50 years ago while a university student studying Asian languages and literature and just wanted to remind myself with a brief read of what is surely intended as a children's book.
Every day the news is full of the most recent pronouncements and acts of Donald J. Trump, the 45th President of the United States. He is admired by a sufficient quantity of U.S. citizens that he continues to thrive in office even though his leadership is problematic on a global scale. I am not about to enumerate his many words and acts that are in our faces on a daily basis and the speculations about acts that remain hidden. I want to marvel at how archetypical his exploits are.
"I am Stone Monkey, born of Heaven and Earth," he said.
"I'm so brave, I'll do anything"
"Bragging! Bragging! the other monkeys jeered.
Monkey did not say a word. He just laughed. Then he jumped. He jumped higher than the highest trees in the forest, somersaulted, and landed on his feet in front of the astonished monkeys.
"Will you truly make me your king?" he asked.
Are we really surprised when they do? Monkey's ego, resilience, slyness and boldness confounds every effort of the Jade Emperor to contain him and his striving for admiration. Every tale tops the one before it.
Even though this book is not intended to be parody or satire or anything other than a retelling of an ancient tale of another place and culture, the ancient truths apply stunningly to our current political drama.
I recommend this book to adults who need to know that what is happening in the U.S. is a story as old as writing itself. After the initial astonishment, I found great comfort in the knowledge that there is nothing new under the sun. We will survive this, too.
I started reading this classic Chinese tale retold by ALA Notable Book author Ji-li Jiang, published in 2002, before bringing it down to my neighborhood tiny library for release and enjoyment by a child. I remember reading many of these tales more than 50 years ago while a university student studying Asian languages and literature and just wanted to remind myself with a brief read of what is surely intended as a children's book.
Every day the news is full of the most recent pronouncements and acts of Donald J. Trump, the 45th President of the United States. He is admired by a sufficient quantity of U.S. citizens that he continues to thrive in office even though his leadership is problematic on a global scale. I am not about to enumerate his many words and acts that are in our faces on a daily basis and the speculations about acts that remain hidden. I want to marvel at how archetypical his exploits are.
"I am Stone Monkey, born of Heaven and Earth," he said.
"I'm so brave, I'll do anything"
"Bragging! Bragging! the other monkeys jeered.
Monkey did not say a word. He just laughed. Then he jumped. He jumped higher than the highest trees in the forest, somersaulted, and landed on his feet in front of the astonished monkeys.
"Will you truly make me your king?" he asked.
Are we really surprised when they do? Monkey's ego, resilience, slyness and boldness confounds every effort of the Jade Emperor to contain him and his striving for admiration. Every tale tops the one before it.
Even though this book is not intended to be parody or satire or anything other than a retelling of an ancient tale of another place and culture, the ancient truths apply stunningly to our current political drama.
I recommend this book to adults who need to know that what is happening in the U.S. is a story as old as writing itself. After the initial astonishment, I found great comfort in the knowledge that there is nothing new under the sun. We will survive this, too.
April 11, 2016
Dear, journal
My life started when I was born out of a stone egg on the highest mountain you could think of.
I became the monkey king by jumping through this waterfall and exploring this new and pretty side of
the waterfall. I left my clan to learn to be immortal from the strong and all knowing sage. This journey took me many days until I finally found him. He took me in as one of his students. I learned a lot for example I know how to cloud soar and transform into anything. During my training I got really bored so I some time acted up, but eventually I got myself together when the Sage told me about the three things the queen from heaven sends down every 500 years. After this talk I became one of his top best students, until I became bored, i decided to show off so the Sage sent me home. I was happy to go home and see my clan but sad because I did not learn the secret to immortality.
As I got home I almost had a heart attack. My kingdom was in ruins plus my monkeys were hiding, where could they be. Oh there they are . Why are you hiding. A demon came and ruined our kingdom, what he took our brothers and sisters to. Tell me where this demon lives.
My life started when I was born out of a stone egg on the highest mountain you could think of.
I became the monkey king by jumping through this waterfall and exploring this new and pretty side of
the waterfall. I left my clan to learn to be immortal from the strong and all knowing sage. This journey took me many days until I finally found him. He took me in as one of his students. I learned a lot for example I know how to cloud soar and transform into anything. During my training I got really bored so I some time acted up, but eventually I got myself together when the Sage told me about the three things the queen from heaven sends down every 500 years. After this talk I became one of his top best students, until I became bored, i decided to show off so the Sage sent me home. I was happy to go home and see my clan but sad because I did not learn the secret to immortality.
As I got home I almost had a heart attack. My kingdom was in ruins plus my monkeys were hiding, where could they be. Oh there they are . Why are you hiding. A demon came and ruined our kingdom, what he took our brothers and sisters to. Tell me where this demon lives.
Read
June 1, 2015I liked this very much! It is written for children, so the language is simple and straightforward. Rather than being boring however, the story is so active and action packed that you hardly notice the simplicity of the style. said style does not detract from the lovely descriptions of people and scenery; in fact, the descriptions have just enough detail to give one the shape of things, and vague enough so that one's imagination fills in the gaps. Often I prefer this method to stories in which all the little details are mapped out in the text - not only can that be tedious, but it constrains the imagination . Something one might enjoy after reading this, or a similar telling of the same Chinese Legend, is to watch the movie, 'The Forbidden Kingdom', which is an interesting retelling and reworking of the legend of the monkey king with a few interesting twists. If you've seen, and enjoyed, the Forbidden Kingdom, then you should definitely read this book as a sort of supplement to the movie, it enhances the viewing experience to know the history and significance of some of the action and imagery in the film.
March 18, 2013
Summary: this book is about a Monkey King that is born from rock and seeks to live forever. At first he studies, but nothing can keep his attention for long and eventually he is kicked out. When Monkey Kind returns to his monkeys, they have been attacked and many had been captured. Monkey King fights the Demon of Havoc and wins. Monkey takes every one home before he goes under the sea to find the Dragon King to get an amazing weapon. Monkey King steals a magic staff and runs off. The Dragon King complains to the Jade Emperor who invites Monkey King to visit Heaven. Monkey King gets into mischief and ends up running away from heaven back to his monkey subjects. Jade Emperor sends down an army to capture Monkey King but they fail. There is more fighting and finally Buddha arrives and after a contest he sentences Monkey King to live under the mountain until he has learned from his mistakes.
I like this book because it show a lot of Chinese Culture, and even though this book is a work of fiction it still has a lot of Chinese values and beliefs in it.
Fiction
WARNING: This book has some religion: Heaven and Buddha. This book also has Monkey King urinating on Buddha's hand.
I like this book because it show a lot of Chinese Culture, and even though this book is a work of fiction it still has a lot of Chinese values and beliefs in it.
Fiction
WARNING: This book has some religion: Heaven and Buddha. This book also has Monkey King urinating on Buddha's hand.
February 22, 2016
Yes, this is the Year of the Monkey, that trickster of the Chinese zodiac and in case you were wondering why is has that reputation, you will definitely find the answer in these tales about this "hero of Chinese legend." In this short chapter book, readers learn how the monkey became the Monkey King, how he became powerful studying under a sage named Master Subhodi, then stole magic from the Dragon King and felt the ire of the Jade Emperor, all in his quest for immortality. Young readers will enjoy all the antics and tricks, and will no doubt want to read more stories about the recalcitrant Monkey King.
September 17, 2014
this book is really amazing. this book is the one book i truly have fallen in love with because of the way the author words it and all the action that goes on within the story i would recommend the book to anyone i know of also the fact that at any moment a character could change from bad to evil or do something out of the ordinary
February 6, 2011
This is the perfect book to partner with Ed young's version....I will use the expanded stories to embellish what I start with the Young version. I like the fact that this has block print illustrations (I think) which will be a nice variation of the illustrations in the other books.
September 6, 2014
Entertained my son for weeks!
February 23, 2015
Re-read recently, remembering I'd enjoyed it. Still great for an early reader book (as in, don't love the writing style because of super simple sentences, but storytelling is all there).
March 30, 2016
Had to read this for a class !
October 31, 2017
I really liked it. It was funny.
March 29, 2025
In the 2025-2026 season, the San Francisco Opera will present a new opera called “The Monkey King”. A friend who is Chinese recommended that I read this book in preparation for the upcoming season. This is a delightful collection of storied about the magical monkey king, who has great powers and great limitations. He is greedy and selfish, gorging himself on peaches he is supposed to protect, eating and drinking without moderation and using his amazing powers mainly to benefit himself. While studying toward enlightenment, he becomes bored, as he does with any task which he considers mundane. With his oversized ego, he can be manipulated by deities with insight, but we cannot help but find him sympathetic. He reminds us of our own limitations. I look forward to learning more as the opera season approaches.
June 4, 2021
Believing he is blessed and more important than others Monkey assumes the throne of the monkey kingdom, but this is not enough for him. He goes seeking enlightenment and wisdom but his arrogance and self importance sometimes cause him trouble.
May 19, 2019
A middle grade read with compelling versions of Monkey King’s adventures before he went on his “Journey to the West.” You can absolutely see why Monkey King is a favorite of children.
July 28, 2020
Love the story great children's book
November 21, 2023
This is a great introduction to the Monkey King for middle grade readers. Gotta love Monkey!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews