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Julie Black Belt: The Kung Fu Chronicles
“The exuberant digital illustrations show Julie’s journey from enthusiastic beginner to struggling novice to poised and confident student who earns her yellow belt...youngsters interested in the sport will be thrilled to follow Julie’s adventures. Other readers may also learn something from Julie’s determination to meet her goals.” —School Library Journal
“Practice makes perfect. That’s what Julie learns in her beginning kung fu class along with lessons about dedication and determination. (She thinks getting a black belt will be a snap.)...a high-action story that encourages deep reflection despite the action movie look.” —San Francisco Chronicle
“Here’s another book that is perfect if you want to get younger children into comics. Plus it’s a positive story for female readers, an audience that is never given enough attention…It’s a positive tale that encourages hard work and persistence and it’s entertaining and charming to boot.” —Ain’t It Cool News
When Julie takes a kung fu class, she thinks getting a black belt will be easy. But her bold teacher says guess again! As reality doesn’t match her expectations, Julie wonders, what would her matinee idol Brandy Wu do?
Can Julie take her lessons to heart? Only then can this “white belt” pass her next test to show her brother, parents, and heroine this sport’s true spirit.
Julie is a refreshing female character whom children everywhere can identify with. Created before Kung Fu Panda and the new Karate Kid film, Julie displays what real kid power is!
"Idolizing the movie actress Brandy Wu, Julie confidently accepts her parents' offer to enroll in a kung fu class in Oliver Chin's delightful Julie Black Belt: The Kung Fu Chronicles. But getting a black belt won't be easy since her teacher says every beginner must start with a white one. Julie wonders what her big screen idol would do...Find out through Charlene Chua's lively illustrations in this engaging and empowering read." - Audrey Magazine
"Evocative of graphic novels, the illustrations will catch readers' attention. They portray the range of emotions that Julie and the other characters experience and also present the characters in 'action shots,' which will appeal to younger readers and draw them into the story. Many of the illustrations are mid-action sequences that will give readers the impression that they are watching a movie instead of reading a book with static pictures." - CM magazine
“Practice makes perfect. That’s what Julie learns in her beginning kung fu class along with lessons about dedication and determination. (She thinks getting a black belt will be a snap.)...a high-action story that encourages deep reflection despite the action movie look.” —San Francisco Chronicle
“Here’s another book that is perfect if you want to get younger children into comics. Plus it’s a positive story for female readers, an audience that is never given enough attention…It’s a positive tale that encourages hard work and persistence and it’s entertaining and charming to boot.” —Ain’t It Cool News
When Julie takes a kung fu class, she thinks getting a black belt will be easy. But her bold teacher says guess again! As reality doesn’t match her expectations, Julie wonders, what would her matinee idol Brandy Wu do?
Can Julie take her lessons to heart? Only then can this “white belt” pass her next test to show her brother, parents, and heroine this sport’s true spirit.
Julie is a refreshing female character whom children everywhere can identify with. Created before Kung Fu Panda and the new Karate Kid film, Julie displays what real kid power is!
"Idolizing the movie actress Brandy Wu, Julie confidently accepts her parents' offer to enroll in a kung fu class in Oliver Chin's delightful Julie Black Belt: The Kung Fu Chronicles. But getting a black belt won't be easy since her teacher says every beginner must start with a white one. Julie wonders what her big screen idol would do...Find out through Charlene Chua's lively illustrations in this engaging and empowering read." - Audrey Magazine
"Evocative of graphic novels, the illustrations will catch readers' attention. They portray the range of emotions that Julie and the other characters experience and also present the characters in 'action shots,' which will appeal to younger readers and draw them into the story. Many of the illustrations are mid-action sequences that will give readers the impression that they are watching a movie instead of reading a book with static pictures." - CM magazine
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
36 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2007
2 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Oliver Chin
43 books5 followersHi! I'm the author of twenty children's picture books, a graphic novel on 9-11, and a sports commentary on Yao Ming and the Tao.
I love creating stories that both kids and adults can get a kick out of (and enjoy countless times), and collaborating with amazing artists who bring these brave new worlds to life.
Themes range from trains, monsters (www.monsterisle.net), pirates, and inspirational martial arts heroine Julie Black Belt (www.julieblackbelt.com).
A rainbow of animals inhabit the popular annual series The Tales from the Chinese Zodiac. This is the only series in English that features each of the animals of the Lunar New Year. We've completed twelve unique adventures and are revising each new edition with a bilingual translation in simplified Chinese. Now we have a limited edition box set that collects the whole series.
Our new series The Asian Hall of Fame explores fantastic inventions from Asia. Each is the first English children's picture book on the subject. Dao is a cute red panda who brings the kids Emma and Ethan back in time... and then back to the future! Their first trip was The Discovery of Ramen. The sequel was the The Discovery of Fireworks and Gunpowder.
I'm also the publisher of Immedium (www.immedium.com) which is a San Francisco publisher of children's books and contemporary art and culture. Our titles include the original tales of The Octonauts (www.octonauts.com), which is now a hit animated TV series worldwide and airs on the Disney Channel in the USA and Netflix.
I graduated magna cum laude from Harvard in 1991. My family lives in San Francisco, CA.
I love creating stories that both kids and adults can get a kick out of (and enjoy countless times), and collaborating with amazing artists who bring these brave new worlds to life.
Themes range from trains, monsters (www.monsterisle.net), pirates, and inspirational martial arts heroine Julie Black Belt (www.julieblackbelt.com).
A rainbow of animals inhabit the popular annual series The Tales from the Chinese Zodiac. This is the only series in English that features each of the animals of the Lunar New Year. We've completed twelve unique adventures and are revising each new edition with a bilingual translation in simplified Chinese. Now we have a limited edition box set that collects the whole series.
Our new series The Asian Hall of Fame explores fantastic inventions from Asia. Each is the first English children's picture book on the subject. Dao is a cute red panda who brings the kids Emma and Ethan back in time... and then back to the future! Their first trip was The Discovery of Ramen. The sequel was the The Discovery of Fireworks and Gunpowder.
I'm also the publisher of Immedium (www.immedium.com) which is a San Francisco publisher of children's books and contemporary art and culture. Our titles include the original tales of The Octonauts (www.octonauts.com), which is now a hit animated TV series worldwide and airs on the Disney Channel in the USA and Netflix.
I graduated magna cum laude from Harvard in 1991. My family lives in San Francisco, CA.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 30, 2009
Julie Black Belt is a delightful story which teaches children perseverance! Not to mention that the book gives them a great visual/textual introduction to the high-flying stylized world of martial arts kicks and jumps. I know there's a whole lot more to martial arts other than "spectacular physical moves", but that's perhaps another (philosophical) story, for another time.
Through the character, Julie, children find out that there are no short cuts to success. She has to work very hard to earn each belt as she progresses through the various levels of Kung Fu (Kung Fu being a popular term that has become synonymous with Chinese martial arts. However, in Chinese, kung fu can be used in contexts completely unrelated to martial arts...but I guess that, also, is another story for another time).
Of course, the captivating illustrations of this book are a total visual treat!! They are the illustrations of the award-winning, Toronto-based illustrator, Charlene Chua, who specializes in sleek vector artwork. The drawings/illustrations are bold, contemporary, and eye-catching -- and aptly complement the story from cover to cover.
Dang, this makes me wish I was a kid when this book first appeared on the market...
Through the character, Julie, children find out that there are no short cuts to success. She has to work very hard to earn each belt as she progresses through the various levels of Kung Fu (Kung Fu being a popular term that has become synonymous with Chinese martial arts. However, in Chinese, kung fu can be used in contexts completely unrelated to martial arts...but I guess that, also, is another story for another time).
Of course, the captivating illustrations of this book are a total visual treat!! They are the illustrations of the award-winning, Toronto-based illustrator, Charlene Chua, who specializes in sleek vector artwork. The drawings/illustrations are bold, contemporary, and eye-catching -- and aptly complement the story from cover to cover.
Dang, this makes me wish I was a kid when this book first appeared on the market...
May 18, 2021
As a big fan of kung-fu & any kickass female protagonist, I checked out this book for early readers (5-7 yr-old). The computer graphic illustrations look slick. The story is about how to manage being a beginner at a sport, especially when a kid has greater ambitions. Overall a competently written book but without much emotional punch.
April 22, 2021
2.5 stars-- Kids who are into martial arts, especially young girls, will get a *kick* out of it. For my tastes, the illustrations were too digital-looking and the text not very engaging, but the right audience will enjoy it.
January 7, 2019
Read because I hardly ever see picture books with my name in it! Sadly, not worth it. Very poorly written.
March 30, 2019
The text is kinda repetitive and the digital illustrations are a little too exuberant, but kung fu loving kids will appreciate it.
July 8, 2022
Perseverance to earn her next belt!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews