Little Monk and the Mantis
A Bug, A Boy, and the Birth of a Kung Fu Legend
Published on 2. February 2016
Book
Hardback
32 pages
978-0-8048-4650-9 (ISBN)
Description
**Creative Child Magazine 2012 Preferred Choice Award Winner**
**Gelett Burgess 2012 Children's Book of the Year Honor Award**
A young boy, abandoned on the steps of the Shaolin Temple, is adopted by mysterious Kung Fu monks. Raised in a place where the powers of animals are studied and practiced, Wong Long tries to fit in and learn kung fu.
Forever bested by the exotic animal styles of the other students, Wong Long runs away from the temple. That summer, he discovers and befriends a small praying mantis. Naming the mantis "Teacher", Wong Long is inspired to create an entirely new style of self-defense. When he returns to Shaolin Temple with his own unique style, the young monk is redeemed, history is made, and a kung fu legend will live on forever.
Little Monk and the Mantis is the thrilling tale of one boy's search for self-expression, courage and the peaceful, non-violent teachings that are at the root of true martial arts.
**Gelett Burgess 2012 Children's Book of the Year Honor Award**
A young boy, abandoned on the steps of the Shaolin Temple, is adopted by mysterious Kung Fu monks. Raised in a place where the powers of animals are studied and practiced, Wong Long tries to fit in and learn kung fu.
Forever bested by the exotic animal styles of the other students, Wong Long runs away from the temple. That summer, he discovers and befriends a small praying mantis. Naming the mantis "Teacher", Wong Long is inspired to create an entirely new style of self-defense. When he returns to Shaolin Temple with his own unique style, the young monk is redeemed, history is made, and a kung fu legend will live on forever.
Little Monk and the Mantis is the thrilling tale of one boy's search for self-expression, courage and the peaceful, non-violent teachings that are at the root of true martial arts.
Reviews / Votes
"Appealing to both folktale and martial-arts fans, Fusco's work highlights the fighting skills learned from nature but stresses how rarely and reluctantly the monks used them. Young readers will enjoy Lugo's paintings of the fight scenes, but his work truly shines when portraying the praying mantis." --School Library Journal "With illustrator Patrick Lugo's colorful, energetic paintings, author John Fusco has brought to life an inspiring tale. To paraphrase the teachings of one of the monks in the book, Fusco's story has good Kung Fu." --Peter Laird, co-creator Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles "Although presented as a story for young readers, Little Monk and the Mantis is the kind of book that will delight anyone interested in the teachings at the heart of the martial arts. It's truly a lesson story of the best sort, one that is as entertaining as it is wise." --Joseph Bruchac, Our Stories RememberMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Boston
United States
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: From Preschool to Third Grade, Interest Age: From 4 to 8 years
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Paper over boards
Illustrations
color illustrations throughout
Dimensions
Height: 280 mm
Width: 226 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
415 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8048-4650-9 (9780804846509)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
08/2012
Tuttle Publishing
€8.49
Available for download
Previous edition
Book
05/2012
Tuttle Publishing
€27.42
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Persons
John Fusco is an award-winning screenwriter with ten major movies to his credit, including "Young Guns", "Hidalgo", "The Forbidden Kingdom", and the Academy Award-nominated animated film "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron". An avid martial artist, he began studying Tang Soo Do at 12 years old and currently holds a black belt in Northern Shaolin Praying Mantis Kung Fu. He lives with his wife and son in Northern Vermont.
Patrick Lugo was the Art Director for Kung Fu Tai Chi magazine for 15 years, where he created the long running comic strip 'Tiger's Tale' which is currently slated for development as a graphic novel. He resides on Alameda Island in the San Francisco Bay.
Patrick Lugo was the Art Director for Kung Fu Tai Chi magazine for 15 years, where he created the long running comic strip 'Tiger's Tale' which is currently slated for development as a graphic novel. He resides on Alameda Island in the San Francisco Bay.