Synopses & Reviews
and#147;The exuberant digital illustrations show Julieand#8217;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 Julieand#8217;s adventures. Other readers may also learn something from Julieand#8217;s determination to meet her goals.and#8221; and#151;School Library Journal
and#147;Practice makes perfect. Thatand#8217;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.and#8221; and#151;San Francisco Chronicle
and#147;Hereand#8217;s another book that is perfect if you want to get younger children into comics. Plus itand#8217;s a positive story for female readers, an audience that is never given enough attentionand#133;Itand#8217;s a positive tale that encourages hard work and persistence and itand#8217;s entertaining and charming to boot.and#8221; and#151;Ainand#8217;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 doesnand#8217;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 and#147;white beltand#8221; pass her next test to show her brother, parents, and heroine this sportand#8217;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
Review
"I recommend this book. The characters' constant state of motion adds excitement to the story. The kung fu classes are filled with male and female racially diverse students, and their cartoon-like appearance will appeal to children. When children read Julie's story they will understand how important and beneficial it can be to keep going despite difficulties. Julie's tireless effort and enthusiastic attitude create a positive ending to this story." - Resource Links
and#147;This is a great book for girls (or boys!) who are interested in martial arts. The message is practice and hard work get results and that applies to most things in life.and#8221; - PinkwithSparkles
and#147;With art by Charlene Chua, Julie Black Belt features a girl who decides that with a little hard work, kung fu can be fun.and#8221; and#150; Super Punch
and#147;the illustrations are so bright and vivid, younger kids may enjoy the story anyway. Charlene Chua definitely does a great job. There are lots of nice details while keeping everything simple and clean. The martial arts seem to be very popular these days; there's probably 3 or 4 studios in our little town. So, if your little one is interested, or if you're looking to get your child interested, this book might be perfect for you.and#8221; - SuperCoolBaby
and#147;Finding a female Asian heroine in a childrenand#8217;s book is a pleasant surprise... Parents struggling to instill values in their children will appreciate the persevering young heroine who forgets external rewards while focusing on internal goals. The illustrations, reminiscent of and#145;The Incrediblesand#8217; animated film, are bright and crisp. Take a look at this book. You might even see yourself in Julie.and#8221; - Nichibei Times
and#147;I recommend this book. The charactersand#8217; constant state of motion adds excitement to the story. The kung fu classes are filled with male and female racially diverse students, and their cartoon-like appearance will appeal to children. When children read Julieand#8217;s story they will understand how important and beneficial it can be to keep going despite difficulties. Julieand#8217;s tireless effort and enthusiastic attitude create a positive ending to this story.and#8221;
and#150; Paper Tigers
and#147;Oliver Chinand#8217;s story moves at a fast enough pace to keep children engaged while still managing to show the different stages Julie goes through in finally earning her yellow belt. Charlene Chuaand#8217;s bright colors and animated illustrations of Julie practicing different skills are fun to look at. Julie Black Belt is a story about perseverance and serves as a great example to teach children how working hard pays off.and#8221; and#150; Northwest Asian Weekly
Synopsis
Can Julie learn kung fu and get her black belt? Real kid power is more inspirational than Kung Fu Panda or The Karate Kid
When Julie takes a kung fu class, she thinks getting a black belt will be easy. But her bold teacher says guess again Since practice takes patience, Julie wonders, what would her movie idol Brandy Wu do?
Can Julie take her lessons to heart, and exercise both her mind and body? Then will she develop the self-confidence and discipline necessary to take the Yellow belt test and show her brother, parents, and heroine the true "spirit" of this sport?
Children and parents identify with Julie's attitude and journey. She is a modern, refreshing character who leads a diverse class and displays authentic girl power. This is an engaging introduction of martial arts to young children who enroll in after school programs. Inspired by a real girl in a taekwondo class, this story's lessons are applicable to any martial art, such as karate, ju-jitsu, aikido, judo, and wrestling.
Like real youngsters, Julie learns by doing. Teachers appreciate how the story promotes respect, conflict resolution, and self-defense, which in turn improves focus and concentration. Training builds confidence and social skills and improves physical fitness (coordination, balance, posture). Artist Charlene Chua's vibrant illustrations capture Julie's high-flying action and her evolving commitment with dynamic energy.
"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
Synopsis
"Martial arts are booming because they offer something for all ages."-
Prevention"[Martial arts] demonstrates the value of hard work, practice and consistent dedication."-The Washington Post
"When a child learns about his body and also learns discipline, it can't help but benefit all of his everyday habits"-Los Angeles Times
"It's a kick! Kids look to martial arts for skills and attitudes missing from team sports."-The Christian Science Monitor
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.
Colorful and energetic illustrations capture both high-flying action and purposeful reflection. Julie is a refreshing female character whom children everywhere can identify with. This engaging introduction to the world of martial arts displays what real kid power is!
Oliver Chinhas written Timmy and Tammy's Train of Thought, the acclaimed Tales of the Chinese Zodiac series, The Adventures of WonderBaby, and other books. Residing in San Francisco, California, he is married with two sons.
Charlene Chuais an award-winning illustrator who has designed advertising for Dentsu and Saatchi & Saatchi, and editorial pieces for FHM, Maxim, and IGN.com. She resides in Toronto with her husband.
Synopsis
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
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
Oliver Chin has written Timmy and Tammy's Train of Thought, the Tales of the Chinese Zodiac series, The Adventures of WonderBaby, Welcome to Monster Isle, and Baltazar and the Flying Pirates
Charlene Chua is an award-winning illustrator who has designed for Dentsu, Saatchi & Saatchi, and IGN.com.
Synopsis
Kim Possible meets the Karate Kid.
Synopsis
"
Julie Black Belt is the kind of picture book I wished we read while we were taking karate. I really like that the main character is a girl with dreamy notions of becoming a black belt but gets daunted by the actual training. This is the reality of karate and#151; itand#8217;s a marathon, not a sprint! But like karate, the act of doing and not giving up pays dividends in areas that cross beyond physical training: self-control, self-discipline, and self-confidence.
Julie Black Beltand#8217;s message also has an overarching theme of perseverance and#151; that achievement results from consistent hard work." and#151;Pragmatic Mom
When Julie takes a kung fu class, she thinks getting a black belt will be easy. But her new instructor says guess again! As reality doesnand#8217;t match her expectations, Julie wonders what would her matinee idol Brandy Wu would do.
Julie takes her lessons to heart. But can this and#147;white beltand#8221; pass the test to show her family, teacher, and heroine this sportand#8217;s true spirit? A refreshing character that children identify with, Julie displays what real kid power is!
Synopsis
"Julie Black Belt and its wonderful imagery are a great introduction for young readers into the world of martial arts." - Phillip Wong and Zhang Hong Mei, International Wushu gold medalists
About the Author
Oliver Chin has written
The Tales from the Chinese Zodiac series,
Baltazar and the Flying Pirates,
Welcome to Monster Isle,
Timmy and Tammyand#8217;s Train of Thought, and
The Adventures of WonderBaby. He is writing
Julie Black Beltand#8217;s sequel and lives in San Francisco, California.
Charlene Chua was born in Singapore and raised on a diet of American cartoons and music in the midst of a booming Asian city. She now is an award-winning illustrator living with her husband and cats in Toronto, Canada, and illustrating Julie Black Beltand#8217;s sequel.