Oliver Chin - Julie Black Belt: The Kung Fu Chronicles

Julie Black Belt is the kind of picture book I wished we read while we were
taking karate. I really like that the main character is a girl with dreamy
notions of becoming a black belt but gets daunted by the actual training.
This is the reality of karate its a marathon, not a sprint! But like
karate, the act of doing and not giving up pays dividends in areas that cross
beyond physical training: self-control, self-discipline, and self-confi dence.
Julie Black Belts message also has an overarching theme of perseverance
that achievement results from consistent hard work. Pragmatic Mom

When Julie takes a kung fu class, she thinks getting a black belt will be easy.
But her new instructor says guess again! As reality doesnt match her expect
ations, Julie wonders what would her matinee idol Brandy Wu would do.
Julie takes her lessons to heart. But can this white belt pass the test to
show her family, teacher, and heroine this sports true spirit? A refreshing
character that children identify with, Julie displays what real kid power is!

To Suzie, her girls Hannah and Eliza, and all students of the martial arts.
O.C.
For my sister, Jessica, and all little girls with big dreams.
C.C.

Text copyright 2007 Oliver Chin
Illustrations copyright 2007 Charlene Chua
Immedium, Inc.,
P.O. Box 31846
San Francisco, CA 94131
www.immedium.com
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part
in any form. For information about special discounts for bulk purchases,
please contact Immedium Special Sales at sales@immedium.com.
First hardcover edition published 2007. Second printing March 2012.
Edited by Don Menn
Book design by Stefanie Liang
Original book printed in Singapore.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Chin, Oliver Clyde, 1969
Julie black belt : the Kung fu chronicles / by Oliver Chin ; illustrated by
Charlene Chua. -- 1st hardcover ed.
p. cm.
Summary: Julie is inspired by her film idol to take Kung fu classes, but soon
learns to value the art much more than the color of the belt she might wear.
ISBN-13: 978-1-59702-009-1 (hardcover)
ISBN-10: 1-59702-009-5 (hardcover)
[1. Kung fu--Fiction. 2. Conduct of life--Fiction.] I. Chua, Charlene, ill.
II. Title.
PZ7.C44235Ju 2007
[E]--dc22
2006101625
ISBN 13: 978-1-59702-009-1

One day Julies
parents asked her if
she wanted to learn
something new.

Dad said, We
thought you could
try a special sport
its called kung fu.

"But I know all
that martial arts
stuff already,"
replied Julie.

Mom smiled, Honey, you
could become a black belt.
Thats right, just like you-know who,
encouraged her father.

So Julie imagined she was like
Brandy Wu, the dazzling actress
of Julies favorite action movies.
Inspired by her heroine, Julie
decided, Ok, Ill try it, just this
once.

Her brother Johnny
chimed in, Can I come,
too? His hero was the
high-flying superstar
Lance Chu.

Mom and Dad asked
me first, insisted
Julie. If youre nice
to me, then I might
teach you later.

In the meantime, Julie tried
on the new uniform that shed
wear to class. Youll grow
into it, winked Dad. But it
looked plain without a belt.
I cant wait to wear
a black one,
wished Julie.

The following week
Mom took Julie to her
first class.

Trophies gleamed in the
display case. Shiny medals
hung from the wall.
Julie marveled, Theres an
autographed photo of Brandy Wu!

As Mom signed Julie up for the Tiny Tigers class,
Johnny gazed at the children inside the training room.

While she waited,
Julie pictured herself
meeting the schools
teacher.
He would be a sleepy
old monk, but be
able to lift her with
his little finger. Then
the master would
puzzle her with his
bountiful wisdom.

But out bounced a
young man instead!
Hello Tiny Tigers!
he waved. My
name is Mr. Fong.
But during class,
you should call
me Sifu. That
means teacher
in Chinese.

Mr. Fong pulled a rainbow of belts from
his bag. In kung fu, the color you wear
symbolizes your skill, he explained.

There are White, Yellow, Orange, Green,
Blue, Brown, and Black. But he put each
belt back until just the white was left.

Then Mr. Fong declared,
Every beginner has
a white belt and must
work their way up.
Wait a minute, Mr.
Fong, I mean Sifu. Why
cant I wear a black belt
now? demanded Julie.

It takes a lot of practice to
earn each belt, answered
Sifu. Getting better at
kung fu takes time and
hard work. But if I can do
it, you can, too. So lets get
started!

The first lesson was learning how to bow and salute.
Sifu explained, It is important to greet each other
with respect.
But Julie asked, When do we get to the real action?