by John Himmelman (Author) John Himmelman (Illustrator)
Introducing Isabel, aka Bunjitsu Bunny! She is the BEST bunjitsu artist in her school, and she can throw farther, kick higher, and hit harder than anyone else! But she never hurts another creature . . . unless she has to.
This series of brief stories about Isabel's adventures are a beguiling combination of child-friendly scenarios and Eastern wisdom perfect for the youngest readers.
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K-Gr 2--With very simple black-and-white illustrations, Himmelman tells delightful short stories about a little bunny named Isabel, who is mighty in spirit. Isabel practices a martial art called Bunjitsu, and each story imparts a lesson from her experiences in fighting or not fighting. In one story, Isabel attempts to fight an angry wave, and when she realizes she will continue to get thrown on the beach, she decides to enjoy being carried away instead. All the other tales are similar in mood and lesson, taking a slightly zen approach to life. The tales are reminiscent of Arnold Lobel's "Frog and Toad" stories (HarperCollins) or Jon J. Muth's ever-popular Zen Shorts (Scholastic 2005), but they are stylistically very different, with line drawings that give very little detail and lots of negative space, leaving most of the scenes up to the imagination of readers. The writing style makes for a good read-aloud, and the sentence structure and complexity are straightforward enough for advanced readers in primary grades to try it. Recommended for general purchase.--Shalini Miskelly, St. Benedict Catholic School, Seattle, WA
Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Himmelman (Duck to the Rescue) draws on his own experience as a martial arts instructor in 12 brief tales about a rabbit named Isabel, "the best bunjitsu artist in her school." Nearly every story concludes with a quiet lesson, and while Isabel certainly has opportunities to show off her skills, many vignettes underscore that "bunjitsu is not just about kicking, hitting, and throwing," as Isabel explains. "It is about finding ways NOT to kick, hit, and throw." Thus, when Isabel is challenged to a fight by the large, menacing Jackrabbit, her avoidance of the fight displays not cowardice but smarts. "So you lost on purpose?" asks Isabel's friend Max. "No, I did not lose," she replies. "He did not hit me." And when Isabel attempts to become "a true bunjitsu artist" by defeating an angry wave, she realizes that gently riding the wave into shore can be more powerful than even a "spinning bunjitsu tornado fist." Spare ink illustrations appear on every page, skillfully balancing humor, bunjitsu action, and understated grace. Like Isabel herself, this one's a winner in unexpected ways. Ages 6-8. (Oct.)
Copyright 2014 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.* "Katie is the very picture of openheartedness, confusion and contrition, and readers will root for her from the very first page." —"Publishers Weekly", starred review
Praise for KATIE AND THE PUPPY NEXT DOOR: "The right blend of humor and pathos." —"Booklist"Praise for CHICKENS TO THE RESCUE:
* "The details in each rescue scene will have everyone laughing." —"School Library Journal", starred review
Praise for PIGS TO THE RESCUE:
* "Himmelman's expressively comedic illustrations keep it as funny as ever." —"Publishers Weekly", starred review
Praise for COWS TO THE RESCUE: "This expressive and determined herd of cows should have readers laughing until the you-know-whats come home." —"Publishers Weekly"
I loved it because it teaches us how to be respectful and not bully.
I loved it because it teaches us how to be respectful and not bully.