Black Belt Bunny

Incredibly emotive.

An off-page narrator introduces Black Belt Bunny, a small, energetic rabbit seen wearing a white gi. After telling readers about the skills the rabbit has mastered (adownward blocks, center punches, and knee dropsa), the narrator drops a shocker: aNow it is time for you, little Black Belt, to learn how to... make a salad.a Black Belt Bunnyas ears droop, he hides, and he attempts to flag a taxi before turning his martial arts abilities on the veggies (aSide-kick those carrots. Slice that lettuce!a). Giving the unseen narrator all the speaking lines while Bunny responds through gesture and expression lets Fleck (Double Take! A New Look at Opposites demonstrate his own chops with an array of scowls, pouts, and conspiratorial grins (and kicks and punches, of course). Black Belt Bunny is a great stand-in for any super-wiggly elementary schooler as Davis (the Ladybug Girl series) combines martial arts action, sly humor, and the conviction that even the very small can learn how to channel their energy into real-world tasks. Ages 3a 5. Authoras agent: Douglas Stewart, Sterling Lord Literistic. Illustratoras agent: Kirsten Hall, Catbird Agency. (July) Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 1--In this humorous story about a karate-obsessed bunny, Davis uses the exchange between an unknown narrator and Black Belt Bunny as a platform for the topic of reluctant/picky eating. The narrator playfully convinces a hesitant young rabbit to use his karate skills to make a nutritious salad. After realizing he can karate chop cabbage, the bunny excitedly "WHAMs," slices, and dices his way through carrots, lettuce, eggplant, beets, and other vegetables. Black Belt proudly presents the salad to the narrator. In an amusing turn of events, it's the narrator who needs to learn a lesson about healthy eating. Fleck's pencil and digital illustrations, done in a warm, earthy palette, have a lively, cartoonish, handcrafted feel. The simplicity of the artwork allows readers to appreciate Black Belt Bunny's facial expressions, which contribute to the humor and action of the narrative. Pair this title with Juana Medina's 1 Big Salad, Amy Krouse Rosenthal's Little Pea, or Lauren Child's I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato for a silly, healthy eating--themed storytime. VERDICT A recommended purchase for most libraries, this entertaining picture book will encourage readers to explore and prepare the vegetables in their own kitchens.--Brianne Colombo, Fairfield Free Public Library, NJ

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.