Illustrator Juan Wijngaard joins us for a storytime featuring his newest book Cloud Tea Monkeys (Candlewick, $15.99), a Junior Library Guild Selection with sumptuous illustrations inspired by a centuries-old legend of tea picking monkeys. Wijngaard will also discuss the process of illustration, and answer any questions!.

Tashi lives in a tiny village at the foot of the mountains, below the tea plantations where her mother works. When her mother falls ill, Tashi goes alone to the plantation, hoping to earn money for the doctor, but she is far too small to harvest the tender shoots, and her clumsy efforts anger the cruel Overseer. She is desolate, until something extraordinary happens.

This is a richly told tale full of vivid characters: the heartless Overseer, the enigmatic Royal Tea Taster, and - far away - an empress with a penchant for tea.

Juan Wijngaard has illustrated more than thirty books for children, including Shakespeare's Globe: An Interactive Pop-up Theatre and the Kate Greenaway Medal-winning Sir Gawain and the Loathly Lady.

Vegetable pakora appetizers will be provided by Namaste Cuisine of India and Nepal (1520 Deborah Road Southeast, 505-896-3126).