“Using Chinese painting to tell stories of Chinese opera is the most fitting contemporary medium. This style, both classic and lively, traditional and youthful, may awaken the profound cultural genes within us as we read through this picture book.”
— Wang Peiyu, Top Peking Opera Artist, China

“This 'Chinese Opera Story Picture Book' series transforms our perception of traditional Chinese opera from distant and obscure to vibrant and accessible. The artists' vivid depictions of opera characters stem from a deep understanding of the art and years of painting practice. They masterfully integrate singing, recitation, acting, and acrobatics, and meticulously portray each role type. Thus, their brushstrokes resonate like melodies, and the rhythm of their ink harmonizes perfectly with the operatic narrative.”
— Wu Zhili, Renowned Calligrapher and Painter

★ The Monkey King is one of the most globally recognized Asian IPs and one of China's earliest cultural IPs to successfully "go global." His influence spans from the hit game "Black Myth: WuKong" (over 10 million global sales) to the Japanese anime "Dragon Ball," captivating audiences worldwide.
★ This book is adapted from the classic Peking Opera "Havoc in Heaven," preserving the iconic arias and dialogues from the original production. The story is based on the animated film of the same name, which was screened at numerous international film festivals and won awards such as the Outstanding Film of the Year at the 1978 London International Film Festival, introducing the tale to a global audience early on.
★ The illustrator, Jie Ji, is a recipient of the Global Illustration Award. His unique ink-wash art style blends Eastern aesthetics with international visual language, creating a dynamic "theatre-on-paper" effect.
★ Recommended by China's top Peking Opera artist, Wang Peiyu.
★ This is not merely an action-packed "fight" story, but a profound parable wrapped in a fantastical adventure. It is a coming-of-age tale about a wild spirit daring to defy authority, question the established order, and continually seek his own place in the world.
★ It also serves as an introductory book on traditional Chinese opera art for children. Included is a fun reading guide featuring sections on opera knowledge, the background story of "Havoc in Heaven," a brief history of Peking Opera, and more, making it suitable for readers worldwide to explore the artistic charm of Peking Opera.
★ English translation samples available.

This book presents "Havoc in Heaven," a representative piece of Peking Opera, depicting the beloved story of the Monkey King's fearless defiance of authority and his great upheaval in the Heavenly Palace. The story begins with the birth of the Stone Monkey from a bursting rock, follows his exploration of the underwater Dragon Palace to acquire the Golden Cudgel, his rebellion against the injustices of the Heavenly Court, his self-proclamation as the "Great Sage Equaling Heaven," and culminates in his earth-shattering rebellion during the Peach Banquet.
The Monkey King's journey from innocence to awakening mirrors the challenges of authority and self-identity that every individual faces while growing up.

[Author/Compiler] Zhou Rui
A renowned children's literature writer, member of the Chinese Writers Association, council member of the Shanghai Writers Association, and a promoter of Peking Opera culture.
He has published over 300 works, including the representative series "Interesting Peking Opera" and "Stories from Peking Opera." His works have been included in Chinese primary school language textbooks, demonstrating a solid reader base and educational recognition.
Long dedicated to promoting Peking Opera culture, he excels at reconstructing traditional opera stories from a child's perspective, balancing cultural authenticity with reading enjoyment.
He has received numerous awards, including the National Outstanding Children's Literature Award, Chen Bochui Children's Literature Award, Bingxin Children's Literature New Work Award, Xia Yan Film Script Award, and the Educational Film Award at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival.

[Illustrator] Jie Ji
Original name Liu Xin, graduated from the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, majoring in Watercolor. A renowned watercolor artist specializing in ancient-style watercolor creation and technique promotion.
Published bestselling art books include "Illustrating Flora from the Book of Songs," "Illustrating Avifauna from the Songs of Chu," "Watercolor Notes: Hand-painting Techniques for Flora in the Book of Songs," "Warm Love Healing Style: Ancient Style Technique Watercolor Tutorial," "Blue Sky Painting Diary," and "Illustrating Flowers from Tang Poems."
In 2016, his illustration "Flower Map" was shortlisted for the Frankfurt Global Illustration Award, and his illustration "Border Town" was shortlisted for China's First Watercolor Illustration Exhibition. In 2017, his illustration "Crazy Bird" won the Excellence Award at the Frankfurt Global Illustration Award.