- Graphic Novels
- Ages 7–10
- Mythology
Monkey King and the World of Myths: The Battle of the Beasts
Book 2 in Monkey King and the World of MythsView the full series
The Monkey King's mythological world tour continues into Japanese folklore, where a divided city of humans and banished beasts teeters on the edge of war. A funny, action-packed second helping with a real message about mistrust and misinformation.
- Best for7–10
- FormatGraphic
- Length256 pp
- Read aloud~2 hr
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The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Comedic
- Conversational
Tone
- Funny
- Silly
- Exciting
- Adventurous
Themes
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
Sun Wukong and his three-headed puppy Cerberus crash-land in Heian-Kyo, the ancient capital of Japan, a city where humans and beasts once lived together but have since split into suspicious, warring camps. When Wukong meets a boy named Momotaro, whose magic hammer has been stolen, and a kitsune named Kit, convinced that humans burned the beasts' only source of food, he begins to suspect a hidden monster is stirring both sides toward all-out war. Racing to unmask the true villain before the city tears itself apart, the Monkey King learns that the deadliest beast may be the lie that turns neighbours into enemies. Author-illustrator Maple Lam blends Japanese folklore, slapstick and heart in this bright, fast-moving second World of Myths adventure, a Kirkus-noted graphic novel that slips a timely lesson about mistrust inside a joyfully silly monster hunt.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
Best for 7-10s reading independently, with humour that works read aloud from about 6. Gentle peril and a bright comic format keep it low-stress and reluctant-reader-friendly, while the theme of mistrust gives the story a little more to chew on. Reads fine alone but follows book one.
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- Best fit · 7–10
- Read aloud · 6–9
- Independent · 7–10
Prose load
Light
Visual support
Very high
Reluctant-reader friendly
Very
Read-aloud quality
Workable
Works well for
- Gift-buying
- Reluctant readers
Nothing in the book is likely to concern most parents. Safe to recommend without preview.
Bedtime suitability
2 / 5 · Better outside bedtime
Sensitive-child
4 / 5 · Good fit
Graphic intensity
1 / 5 · None
Best for
- Mythology
- Funny graphic novels
- Reluctant readers
- World myths
Avoid if
- Wants quiet story
- Wants realistic fiction
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
The Monkey King and his three-headed puppy blunder into a city where humans and beasts are ready to fight, and the mystery of who's really stirring the trouble keeps readers guessing. It's fast, funny and full of folklore creatures like Momotaro and a clever kitsune.
- Going on a quest
- Magic powers
- Trickery and cleverness
- Adventure and freedom
- The underdog winning
Why parents love it
Beneath the slapstick, this adventure quietly explores how mistrust and misinformation set neighbours against each other. Maple Lam introduces Japanese folklore through comedy, hooks reluctant readers with the graphic-novel format, and leaves room for a real conversation.
- Shared humour
- Educational for adult too
- Cultural representation
In the series
Monkey King and the World of Myths.
2 books · open the series →
About the author & illustrator
Maple Lam.
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