Kung Fu - by Hui Li (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Learn how to be as playful as a monkey and as strong as a tiger in this interactive story about the ancient martial art of Kung Fu.

When Lulu and her dog Dumpling watch Grandma practice Kung Fu, they are eager to join in. Grandma teaches them that this ancient martial art explores our relationship with nature. Before long, Lulu and Dumpling are transported to a forested world where they can practice Kung Fu alongside the animals. They can be as nimble as a mantis, as graceful as a white crane, and as strong as a tiger.

This imaginative story is an excellent companion to Hui Li's award-winning debut Scroll. It introduces children to Chinese characters as well as martial arts, and celebrates the connection between Kung Fu and the natural world.

Review Quotes

* "Readers are plunged into an enchanted world where drawing skills and creative problem-solving hold the key to a favorable outcome.... A masterful integration of storytelling, an introduction to a complex language, and cross-cultural understanding make this an excellent addition to any ­elementary ­library."

--School Library Journal, starred review

Praise for Scroll:
An ALA Notable Book
A Bookpage Best Picture Book of the Year

* "A beautifully drawn, cleverly told tale of bravery and wit. Artistically, Scroll is one of the most unique books on shelves today. . . Scroll is deceptively modest, starting with its cover, which depicts a writing lesson that blossoms into one of the most unique stories of the year--one that is as educational as it is entertaining. As Lulu discovers, wonders await those who take a chance and dive in."--BookPage, starred review

"A girl embarks on a fantastical adventure through a landscape permeated with calligraphy ... the story is told in appealing vignettes and speech bubbles, and at the top of every page, readers will find pictures of the characters used in the illustration along with their English meanings, allowing kids to match the characters with their roles in the scene. A fun and clever introduction to an ancient art form."--Kirkus Reviews

"A girl of Chinese descent finds adventure via a calligraphy brush in Li's clever debut.... Chinese characters embellished with color and detail illustrate ideogram-based language, and red seals at the top of each page smartly introduce each new term and its meaning. Hand-rendered watercolor, colored pencil, and Chinese ink art offers a visual feast via energetic brushwork and transparent pools of color."
--Publishers Weekly

"Hui Li brilliantly transforms the history of Chinese characters into a marvelous adventure in Scroll.... Li's first solo author/artist title is an imaginative, purposefully rendered comic picture-book. Li adds Chinese characters across the page-tops, encouraging readers to find them within her inviting drawings. 'Imagine if every character you draw has its own story, ' Li's author's note muses. Here, it magically does."--Shelf Awareness

"In a clever seek-and-find picture book illustrated in dreamy watercolors, colored pencils, and ink, new worlds open as Granddaughter and Grandfather bond through Chinese calligraphy. This wonderful peek into the complexity and beauty of Chinese writing brings the script to life."--Politics and Prose Bookstore, Washington, D.C.

"While drawing the character for 'door, ' she unexpectedly activates a portal into another world! This charming story utilizing a comics format will engage readers with its blend of history, language learning, and adventure."--Booklist

About the Author

Hui Li is the creator of Scroll which was an ALA Notable book among other honors. She has also written and illustrated books for children in her native China. Hui loves sharing traditional aspects of her culture to children through her inspired books. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and two young sons where she delights in practicing Kung Fu and crafting imaginative stories. She brings her creativity to everything she makes whether the medium is paper, wood, or clay.