- Graphic Novels
- Ages 7–10
- Mythology
Monkey King and the World of Myths: The Monster and the Maze
Book 1 of 2 in Monkey King and the World of MythsView the full series
The legendary Monkey King goes globe-trotting through world mythology in this bright, funny graphic novel. His first godhood mission drops him into Greek myth, where he must potty-train Cerberus and outwit a Minotaur.
- Best for7–10
- FormatGraphic
- Length240 pp
- Read aloud~1 hr55 min
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, the mischievous Monkey King of Chinese legend, wants to become a god, and the price is a series of divine missions to defeat the monsters terrorising the world. His very first task takes him far from home into the world of Greek myth, where he must pet-sit and potty-train a three-headed hound named Cerberus and find his way through a deadly maze guarded by a Minotaur. Author-illustrator Maple Lam serves up a colourful, action-packed graphic novel stuffed with mischief, silly mishaps and a genuine love of the myths it romps through. Blending Chinese and Greek legend with slapstick humour and warm friendships, this opener to the World of Myths series is a joyful, accessible introduction to mythology for young comic fans, and a Kirkus-starred adventure that leaves readers ready for the next mission.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
Aimed at 7-10s reading independently, with humour that works read aloud from about 6. The comic format and gentle peril make it a low-stress, high-appeal read for reluctant readers, and as the series opener it's the natural place to start.
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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 is a brilliant troublemaker, and watching him potty-train a three-headed dog and bluff his way past a Minotaur is exactly as funny as it sounds. The bright panels and non-stop action make world mythology feel like the best kind of comedy.
- Going on a quest
- Magic powers
- Trickery and cleverness
- Adventure and freedom
- Surviving danger
Why parents love it
Maple Lam introduces both Chinese and Greek legend through comedy that never feels like a lesson, and the graphic-novel format hooks reluctant readers fast. It's a Kirkus-starred, culturally rich adventure that's easy to hand to a child and hard to put down.
- 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.
If you liked this
Three ways out of this book.
Where to go next…
Escalation reads — a step up in scale, silliness, or stakes.
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