JoJo’s Flying Side Kick

About the Book

The jacket picture of JoJo in her Tae Kwon Do clothes performing a flying side-kick immediately attracts kids. JoJo must pass a test to earn her yellow belt by breaking a board with a flying side-kick. She expresses her nervousness to her granddaddy, her mother, her father, and a friend. She listens to their advice and then puts it together in her own way. A dramatic picture shows her triumph. A high interest story about a girl mastering a martial art and her fears.

Why this Book?

Pinkney’s illustrations use an unusual scratchboard technique with a strong sense of energy and movement, perfect for a story about martial arts. For a book almost 20 years old, this hasn’t lost any of its child appeal or its success in showing a strong girl, thanks to its rhythmic writing and vibrant pictures. JoJo’s not just physically strong; she prepares herself mentally as well by listening and then thinking about her task. I wish there were more picture books like this about martial arts and about athletic girls.

The Pinkneys are among the most important families in the children’s book world, pioneers in featuring Black protagonists. Brian’s a major illustrator as was his father Jerry, while Andrea is an accomplished writer and ground-breaking children’s book editor.