{"id":29023,"date":"2016-07-14T22:44:03","date_gmt":"2016-07-15T02:44:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=29023"},"modified":"2016-07-14T22:44:03","modified_gmt":"2016-07-15T02:44:03","slug":"review-of-bunjitsu-bunnys-best-move-by-john-himmelman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=29023","title":{"rendered":"Review of Bunjitsu Bunny’s Best Move, by John Himmelman"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"bunjitsu_bunnys_best_move_large\"<\/a>Bunjitsu Bunny\u2019s Best Move<\/em><\/p>\n

by John Himmelman<\/p>\n

Henry Holt and Company, New York, 2015. 120 pages.<\/p>\n

Bunjitsu Bunny\u2019s back! This is a beginning chapter book with lots of chapters, but simple drawings on every page, and only a few sentences. So it\u2019s a quick read, but will give beginning readers a sense of accomplishment. And it has what I like best in beginning readers \u2013 stories that all ages will enjoy, nothing watered down for kids.<\/p>\n

The first chapter is the same as in the first book. I\u2019ll quote the entire thing, to give you an idea of how simple and short these stories are:<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Some were frightened of her. But Isabel never hurt another creature, unless she had to.<\/p>\n

\u201cBunjitsu is not just about kicking, hitting, and throwing,\u201d she said. \u201cIt is about finding ways NOT to kick, hit, and throw.\u201d<\/p>\n

They called her Bunjitsu Bunny.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I didn\u2019t think the stories in this book were quite as consistently clever as the ones in the first book, but that\u2019s a tiny quibble. More stories about Isabel, Bunjitsu Bunny! Many of them, again, are about avoiding a fight when that\u2019s the best route. Some are about learning a lesson. Some are about enjoying the journey. Some are about persistence.<\/p>\n

The Bunjitsu Code is at the back, explicitly stating the ideas expressed in these simple stories:<\/p>\n

I promise to:
\nPractice my art until I am good at it. And then keep practicing.
\nNever start a fight.
\nDo all I can to avoid a fight.
\nHelp those who need me.
\nStudy the world.
\nLearn from those who know more than I do.
\nShare what I love.
\nFind what makes me laugh, and laugh loudly. And often.
\nMake someone smile every day.
\nKeep my body strong and healthy.
\nTry things that are hard for me to do.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

A nice message and simple stories. Another wonderful volume for beginning readers.<\/p>\n

mackids.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Childrens_Fiction\/bunjitsu_bunnys_best_move.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Source: This review is based on a library book from Fairfax County Public Library.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but I maintain my website and blogs on my own time. The views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

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