Book Review:
Karate Boy

by Ann Morris
Photographs by David Katzenstein
Reviewed by Christopher Essex

Parents who feel unsure about buying a book that might encourage violent or aggressive Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtle-like behavior can rest easy: this karate class emphasizes why the activity is not just an excuse to be violent. The word "fighting" is used throughout the book, but it is also made clear that karate class is not just an excuse to kick and punch.

Photograph by David Katzenstein. Not to be reproduced without permission.
The purpose of this book is to present a typical boy's experience of karate class. This is an activity that, unlike going to the doctor's office or starting kindergarten, will probably not arouse fear and uncertainty in most children, but this gift would certainly help in assuaging the fears of a timid child who might find the prospect of karate class threatening or scary. Mostly, though, this is a kind of 'coffee table' (or maybe that should be 'hot chocolate table'?) book for kids--a fine, colorful gift for a son or grandson who is interested in the sport. I say 'son or grandson'; this book does mention karate girls in passing. It would have been nice, however, if rather than just appealing to a market of boys who already are interested in the subject, more of an effort had been made to reach out to girl readers. It is doubtful that most girls would pick up a book called Karate Boy. Perhaps Karate Class or Karate Kids would have been more inclusive?

Photograph by David Katzenstein. Not to be reproduced without permission.
A strength of this book is that the author provides a brief glossary of karate terms like dojo and obi, and provides easily understood means of pronunciation. Generally, the book is well written, and the design is well planned out. Transitions from one page to the next are occasionally rough, such as when we go from the end of class to a page about David and his friend having pizza (where? when?) with the karate instructor.

Ann Morris has authored many other photoessays and concept books for children, including Dancing to America. The photographs by David Katzenstein are colorful, clear and well-composed. The personalities of David and Georgie come through clearly in these photographs.

Karate Boy should be enjoyed by its target audience--boys that are in karate class. All in all, an interesting photoessay about an increasingly popular sport among children.

PCTO Rating: