Kirkus Reviews

Aspiring "karate kid" Maya leads readers through a typical Shotokan class.The story starts with the day, as Maya rises "bright and early" to go to Saturday-morning karate class. A series of comics-style panels details preparations for the class, done with Dad's help: donning gi and belt, then walking to class, stuffed tiger in tow. A class of diverse children (Maya is white), all of varying ranks, are greeted by a sensei, a beige-skinned woman who bears an uncanny resemblance to the biracial, British author/illustrator. The breakdown of the class covers all of the bases—bowing in, warming up, practicing basics (blocks, here), running kata (sequences of movements that represent a choreographed fight), and ending mokuso (meditation)—swiftly, devoting only one or two double-page spreads to each segment. Several essential segments of a typical karate class in the U.S., including the beginning mokuso and the ending bows, are missing; Sterling does, however, illustrate the multiple levels within the technique segments, as students move from demonstrating the techniques in the air to practicing them with one another. The delicate cartoons are dynamic and lively, doing much to enhance text that feels a bit lifeless at times. The spreads proclaiming "Look, I'm a karate kid! // We all are!" and showing a collective kiai (shout to release energy) and jumping kick, seems a bit forced, although the ending is, admittedly, empowering.Enthusiastic—but not quite a winning strike. (Picture book. 3-7)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

A Saturday karate class comes to life in this picture book by Sterling, a sensei and medaled global competitor in the Japanese martial art form. In the first-person perspective, a pigtailed child called Maya conveys her enthusiasm for her karate class, showing readers her uniform, belt, and dojo, and using some karate terminology (age uke, gedan barai). Though Maya occasionally stumbles, her fellow karate kids are there to encourage her. Simple pencil and digitally colored illustrations complement the text-s accessibility. Though the sensei-who resembles the author-and Maya herself are white, the children in Maya-s class are inclusively portrayed, with multicultural names and skin tones, emphasizing the widespread appeal of the sport. Ages 3-7. (May)

School Library Journal (Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2020)

PreS-K Maya and her friends are in karate class. Maya is a beginner and has a white belt, while her friends are all at higher levels, but they all support one another, and Sterling sends a clear message about not giving up. As Maya puts it, "I can't touch my toes yet, but I stretch as far as I can go." This story will especially appeal to children in karate class because it introduces vocabulary and demonstrates the different terms with illustrations. At one point, Maya gets extra help from the teacher, or a sensei. The author, a karate champion, is passionate about her sport. At the back of the book she states, "Karate not only helps to improve fitness and flexibility, but it also teaches confidence, mindfulness, compassion, and respect. It is also a great way to make friends!" VERDICT Highly recommended for public and school libraries as an introduction to karate. This book also fosters kindness and encourages kids not to give up. Robin Sofge, Prince William Public Library System, VA