Coming of Age

Life Lessons from a Foul-Mouthed Monkey

When a foul-mouthed, philosophizing monkey falls out of a circus truck and into Bobby Smith’s ordinary life, everything changes.

Juan Pedro deMaria da Silva Junior isn’t your typical talking animal. This vest-wearing, curse-spewing former research assistant to the legendary High Mountain Story Uncle has strong opinions about soul-traps (aka junk food), the mind-numbing effects of suburban living, and why Bobby needs way more names than just “Bobby Smith.”

What starts as an unlikely friendship becomes a journey of awakening as Bobby transforms into Roberto Pedro Smith Vásquez — discovering his Mexican heritage, learning to eat mindfully, and understanding that consciousness flows through everything from philosophical fish to judgmental goats. With help from his new friend Kiki and her wise grandmother, Roberto learns that growing up isn’t about fitting in — it’s about becoming authentically yourself.

Weavers of Reality

Roberto Pedro Smith Vásquez is back — and this time, he’s learning that standing up for what you believe in can be more dangerous than falling circus monkeys.

When their teacher Ms. Jackson insists that Roberto and Kiki attend a mandatory “diversity session” they’d rather skip, the two friends make a choice that sends shockwaves through Lincoln Elementary. Roberto declares “I identify as machismo,” while Kiki announces she’s a “Traditional Wife” — words that accidentally reveal feelings they’ve been hiding from themselves and each other.