This picture book is based on the true story of Arthur Cooper, who worked in the British Intelligence Service in Hong Kong just before World War II. He rescues Tertius, a baby gibbon from a seller of exotic animals. Cooper brings Tertius to Australia as an illegal import, and troubles follow. The historical background and cultural perspective feature in Arthur’s travels from Hong Kong to Singapore then to Australia where illustrations features rickshaws in Hong Kong, life in Singapore, the colonial buildings of Fremantle and finally Melbourne. An historical period comes alive here.

1. Cultural Traditions
2. Friendship
3. History
4. Social Life
5. War