Shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2011
Based on a centuries-old legend of tea-picking monkeys, this title tells a tale full of vivid characters: a heartless Overseer, an enigmatic Royal Tea-Taster and, in a faraway land, and an Empress with a liking for tea.
Monkeys come to the rescue of a struggling family in this traditional tale from a Carnegie Medal winner. Tashi lives in a tiny village below the tea plantations where her mother earns a living. One day her mother falls ill, and Tashi must pick tea to earn the money for a doctor. But she is too small to reach the tender shoots and the cruel Overseer sends her away empty-handed. Tashi needs a miracle. Then, on the mountains high above the plantation where only monkeys live, something extraordinary happens that will change her life for ever...Based on a centuries-old legend of tea-picking monkeys, Cloud Tea Monkeys is a richly told tale full of vivid characters: a heartless Overseer, an enigmatic Royal Tea-Taster and, in a faraway land, an Empress with a liking for tea.
Elspeth Graham was born during a snowstorm in Northumberland, England. After university, she became passionately interested in reading to her children and understanding how children learn to read. Elspeth began to write books for children - some with her husband, and fellow author, Mal Peet. Mal’s stories became longer and longer and he went on to be an award- winning author of books for young adults. Mal and Elspeth loved writing picture books together and continued to do so until Mal’s death in 2015. The Treasure of Pirate Frank is one of the last picture books that they wrote together. Elspeth is still passionately interested in stories and the pleasure that there is in the simple act of reading. Elspeth lives in Devon with her dog Pedro.
