Kiki Kicks

By Jane Yolen, Ariel Stemple, John Ledda (Illustrator)

A bullied girl finds strength and confidence through karate.

40 pages· 559 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

$19.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

Kiki feels small against school bullies, but her first karate lesson promises change. Inspired by her mother's practice, she seeks strength and steadiness. Will martial arts empower her to stand tall? Discover how Kiki transforms fear into confidence, reclaiming her power in a world that often feels overwhelming. This lyrical tale of self-empowerment explores the journey from vulnerability to resilience, inviting readers to witness Kiki's path to inner peace and strength.

From the publisher

“I want to be strong for the right reasons.” Kiki has watched her mama practice karate for a long time, and now she wants to learn too. She wants to become strong and steady like a mountain. The bullies at school are strong for the wrong reasons. They make Kiki feel small. But today at her first karate lesson, everything changes. Award-winning author Jane Yolen joins forces with debut author Ariel Stemple in this picture book about reclaiming strength, confidence, and peace through martial arts. This lyrical story of self-empowerment at a martial arts studio is woven around the poetic lines of Yolen’s well-known poem “Karate Kid,” used by educators and librarians for decades. Backmatter includes personal notes from the authors about how this story came to be and how martial arts helped save Stemple who was bullied as a child.

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