Jojo's Flying Side Kick

by Brian Pinkney

Book Overview

A young girl must face her fears and conquer her nerves to earn her yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do in this relatable and inspirational picture book.

When Master Kim announces JoJo is ready to take the test for her yellow belt, butterflies start fluttering in her stomach. JoJo loves Tae Kwon Do, but can she really do a perfect flying side kick and break a board in two? Her family and friends offer all sorts of advice, but JoJo is scared of...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0689802838
• ISBN13: 9780689802836
• Release Date: September 1995
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.9" x 11.3"
• Age Range: 5 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Cute story...not so accurate

My almost yellow-belt tae kwon do daughter loved this book. The tree in JoJo's yard was really scary for her (she was 4 when we read it.), but she wanted to read it and see the tree over and over again. However, I don't remember seeing board breaking and flying side kicks in the her yellow belt study materials.

Good one - my older niece (5) really got into it.

I really like this. Jojo is about to test for her yellow belt. She's also (coincidentally - the two aren't connected at all until the end) afraid of the tree in her yard. She's nervous about her test, and so three different members of her family give her advice. But it doesn't all click until the day of her test, when she puts all their advice together in her own way, in a way that not only earns her her yellow belt but also helps her stop being scared of the scary tree bandit. The moral is nicely understated instead of being pushed like people do tend to do with kids. Also, let me take a minute to say how much I enjoyed the illustrations in this book. I felt they really suited the material. Definitely check this one out.

Story of self-confidence

My four-year-old (who's big brother has been practicing karate for a few years) loved this story about a girl overcoming her fear and lack of confidence, ultimately succeeding in her goals.