Beautiful Warrior: The Legend of the Nun's Kung Fu

by Emily Arnold McCully

Book Overview

From the Caldecott Medal-winning author/illustrator of "Mirette on the Highwire" comes this dramatic, multi-layered story of two legendary women warriors, Wu Mei, the "beautiful warrior", and her most... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0590374877
• ISBN13: 9780590374873
• Release Date: March 1998
• Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
• Length: 1 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 10.1" x 12.2"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Good Role Model For Girls

The story resonated with me, I find it inspirational. I also thought that the drawing of Jingyong captures the essence of her calm strength. I think society is lacking role models for young girls and this book is perfect. It doesn't teach winning by force but by realizing one's own inner strength.

Strong women, Wu Mei Kung Fu & Shaolin Monastery

I just love that this book is based on a woman that I hope existed! I love that when she was born that they watched her to see her true nature before they named her and then gave her the name Jingyong - Quiet Courage. Also that her father would not allow Jingyong's feet to be bound, and that he treated her as a son and she was taught the 5 pillars of learning - art, literature, music, medicine and marital arts! There is so much more of the book, but I don't want to spoil it for you! This is an excellent book! What a fasinating story! The artwork is beautiful! And I can't wait to read this book to my daughter and find a Wu Mei Kung Fu studio to learn Wu Mei ourselves!

Not just for martial-arts enthusiasts

I love sharing this book with my daughters because of the beautiful artwork, the portrayal of female strength and the message that inner resolve coupled with practice are the keys to achieving one's goals. We often quote Wu Mei's admonition to the bean curd seller: "No problem can be solved by a drunken monkey!" The reminder to remain calm, make up one's own mind, and engage with the world from a firm sense of self is valuable for people of both sexes and all ages.

This is a truly beautiful book for children and adults.

I love both the artwork and the story content of this book. It is rare and wonderful to find a book in which two female martial artists are the main characters! This book is a true gift to martial artists enthusiasts everywhere. The story's lessons (soft overcomes hard, calm overcomes strong) come from authentic martial arts teachings at their finest. Brava!

Beautiful illustrations

This book is an awesome experience. Adults and children in our martial arts school enjoyed the story of Wu Mei. The illustrations are breath taking. The story is well told and easily read.