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Karate Girl
Grrrrrlpower!
After a bullying incident at school, Mary Leary’s young heroine joins a karate class. But karate, she learns, is not simply a method of self-defense. It also helps develop confidence and concentration. "To be sure enough of oneself to avoid a fight – that is what karate is about," her teacher, the sensei, tells her. So begins a firsthand look at what being a karate student is really like, from the special uniform and classroom to the rigorous exercises and practice sessions. Becoming a karate girl takes dedication and hard work.
With pictures and text brimming with sass and spunky style, Mary Leary charts the course of a girl getting ready to face new challenges – at the dojo and on the sidewalk after school.
After a bullying incident at school, Mary Leary’s young heroine joins a karate class. But karate, she learns, is not simply a method of self-defense. It also helps develop confidence and concentration. "To be sure enough of oneself to avoid a fight – that is what karate is about," her teacher, the sensei, tells her. So begins a firsthand look at what being a karate student is really like, from the special uniform and classroom to the rigorous exercises and practice sessions. Becoming a karate girl takes dedication and hard work.
With pictures and text brimming with sass and spunky style, Mary Leary charts the course of a girl getting ready to face new challenges – at the dojo and on the sidewalk after school.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 3, 2017
My daughter is 5 and taking karate so it's REALLY nice to see a book about a girl taking Karate. I would love to see more about girls taking karate or other sports.
July 14, 2017
A nice story of a girl who learns self-confidence by taking karate and how she confronts her brother's bullies.
Illustrations are average.
Illustrations are average.
March 29, 2019
Not much to this one, more a description of karate with a brief story at the beginning and end. But, my own karate girl did like the illustrations.
February 26, 2022
A story about a nameless heroine, known only as Eli's older sister. Watching her little brother physically bullied at school one day, his older sister was angry and frustrated, unsure what to do. The story whispers how the practice of karate can help develop the confidence needed both to protect oneself and perhaps avoid such fights as well.
As a beginning reader book, it is an entirely idealized version of the benefits of karate, or martial arts practice generally. “Confidence” for young girls is the beating heart of Leary’s work. The sentiments on page ten explain clearly "...Karate is not only about self-defense, the sensei said." It teaches us to have self-control and confidence. To be sure enough of oneself to avoid a fight --that is what karate is about. It takes a long time to learn and much dedication."
Significant and important sentiments.
As far as one can go in less than thirty written pages (a beginning reader book), this is an excellent start. Beautiful and dynamic illustrations support Leary's brief storyline nicely. From the detailed illustrations of the household kitchen, to the neatly lined up shoes in a karate school floor Leary draws interesting details well for her young readers. A perfect read at any time.
Unfortunately, there are some minor problems with the book as well. The main female character has no name. The illustrator of the book is never mentioned.
A beginning reader book Leary has too few typed pages as such cannot explain the techniques and practices of karate in the most basic way. Leary does an adequate job for her beginning readers, though far too briefly in general.
The main character quickly passes her yellow belt test, building concentration, focus which give her personal confidence. Confidence she eventually uses, encountering her brothers tormentors a second time.
Irrelevant backstory, an unnecessary detour to an otherwise obvious ending Leary’s mention of a practice known as kata lacks worthy detail. A bit more “meat” connecting the dots would have been helpful. Do not show off, it takes a long time, dedication, focus, concentration, skills and abilities are slowly built through karate training are good sentiments none the less.
Identical books include Brian Pinkney Jojo's Flying Side Kick. Similar books (explaining martial arts for young girls) might include Alice Jablonsky's A Girl's Guide to the Martial Arts: Learn to Practice Basic Poses in Kung Fu, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Jujitsu, Aikido and Tai Chi Chuan among others.
Overall despite small flaws what Leary expresses in her brief written pages for the young are hot chocolate on a snowy day, her drawings the perfect marshmallows.
As a beginning reader book, it is an entirely idealized version of the benefits of karate, or martial arts practice generally. “Confidence” for young girls is the beating heart of Leary’s work. The sentiments on page ten explain clearly "...Karate is not only about self-defense, the sensei said." It teaches us to have self-control and confidence. To be sure enough of oneself to avoid a fight --that is what karate is about. It takes a long time to learn and much dedication."
Significant and important sentiments.
As far as one can go in less than thirty written pages (a beginning reader book), this is an excellent start. Beautiful and dynamic illustrations support Leary's brief storyline nicely. From the detailed illustrations of the household kitchen, to the neatly lined up shoes in a karate school floor Leary draws interesting details well for her young readers. A perfect read at any time.
Unfortunately, there are some minor problems with the book as well. The main female character has no name. The illustrator of the book is never mentioned.
A beginning reader book Leary has too few typed pages as such cannot explain the techniques and practices of karate in the most basic way. Leary does an adequate job for her beginning readers, though far too briefly in general.
The main character quickly passes her yellow belt test, building concentration, focus which give her personal confidence. Confidence she eventually uses, encountering her brothers tormentors a second time.
Irrelevant backstory, an unnecessary detour to an otherwise obvious ending Leary’s mention of a practice known as kata lacks worthy detail. A bit more “meat” connecting the dots would have been helpful. Do not show off, it takes a long time, dedication, focus, concentration, skills and abilities are slowly built through karate training are good sentiments none the less.
Identical books include Brian Pinkney Jojo's Flying Side Kick. Similar books (explaining martial arts for young girls) might include Alice Jablonsky's A Girl's Guide to the Martial Arts: Learn to Practice Basic Poses in Kung Fu, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Jujitsu, Aikido and Tai Chi Chuan among others.
Overall despite small flaws what Leary expresses in her brief written pages for the young are hot chocolate on a snowy day, her drawings the perfect marshmallows.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2016
Good children's picture book on self control, bullies, and karate.
November 21, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews