Cecily G. and the 9 Monkeys

I'm curious about how the author came up with the idea for such playful and imaginative escapades. Did they draw from childhood memories or a love for animals?

Each monkey seemed to have their own quirks, making them so memorable. I wonder if the author based them on real animals or created them entirely from imagination.

The book feels light and entertaining, but I also picked up on messages about friendship and honesty. Do you think it naturally teaches kids these values without feeling preachy?