Tales of Bunjitsu Bunny
John Himmelman
ISBN: 9780805099706
Black and white and red drawings show off fierce (but zen) bunnies learning the way of bunjitsu.
Brilliant. I saw this because it came through the library, but I bought myself a copy, and I'm getting one for my friend, a black belt in Ki-Aikido who has a young daughter. It's a brilliant way to explain the purpose and mindset behind the less-offensive of the martial arts.
Isabel is a great bunjitsu-kai, and she can kick harder, punch straighter, and tumble better than "anybunny" - but she also knows that the power of bunjitsu isn't in strength or fighting, but in using wisdom and knowledge and compassion to create a situation where a fight becomes simply unnecessary.
Himmelman is really good (like Jon J. Muth good) at teaching moral lessons without being preachy or "moralizing" at the reader. Isabel is a great illustration, and a great character. Her posture and her expressions, although done in thick outlines and blocky chunks of red, clearly show her emotions, from frustration to frazzled patience. She isn't perfect, but she tries to do her best. She practices and works at her bunjitsu, and plays happily with her fellow students. She's not a teacher or an "example" but a fun little bunny who has interesting martial-arts-based, real life based, small child level adventures.
I can't wait for the next installment: Bunjitsu Bunny's Best Move, coming out this fall!
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