Sonderbooks Stand-out

Sonderbooks Book Review of

Tales of Bunjitsu Bunny

by John Himmelman


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Tales of Bunjitsu Bunny

by John Himmelman

Review posted May 14, 2015.
Henry Holt and Company, New York, 2014. 120 pages.
Starred Review
2015 Sonderbooks Stand-out: #9 Children's Fiction

Isabel was the best bunjitsu artist in her school. She could kick higher than anyone. She could hit harder than anyone. She could throw her classmates farther than anyone.

Some were frightened of her. But Isabel never hurt another creature, unless she had to.

“Bunjitsu is not just about kicking, hitting, and throwing,” she said. “It is about finding ways NOT to kick, hit, and throw.”

They called her Bunjitsu Bunny.

That is the entire text of the first chapter. The rest of the book consists of short stories about Bunjitsu Bunny, with plenty of pictures. My favorites are the many stories that explain how Isabel finds a way NOT to kick, hit, or throw. Though when necessary, she is quite good at those things.

The stories are short and easy to read, but they are full of cleverness and interest. We’ve got a powerful and wise ninja – and she’s a bunny girl! These are wonderful for kids who are ready for chapter books.