Let's Go to Taekwondo! (Yoomi, Friends, and Family)

by Aram Kim (Author)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

Yoomi wants a yellow belt. But she's afraid to break the board. Grandma to the rescue!

Yoomi and her friends are ready to take on the test for their yellow belts in taekwondo. But Yoomi is afraid to break a board. Meanwhile, Grandma is struggling to learn something new, too. But Yoomi and Grandma encourage and inspire each other. Yoomi discovers how, with persistence, focus, deep breathing, and above all, a loving Grandma, even the toughest challenges can be overcome.

This companion to No Kimchi for Me emphasizes self-confidence, determination, and the value of family. Backmatter about taekwondo, including some Korean vocabulary, is included. A Junior Library Guild Selection

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Kirkus

 A sweet tale of shared perseverance that bursts with color, culture, and energy.

ALA/Booklist

Incredibly pleasant, colorful illustrations pair with an always engaging subject and valuable lessons to make this a winner.

Publishers Weekly

In this companion to No Kimchi for Me!, anthropomorphic feline Yoomi and her family return in another adventure, this one centered on the young cat's taekwondo journey. Yoomi and her classmates are up for their yellow belt promotions, but board breaking gives Yoomi pause--she worries about hurting her hand. Feeling defeated when a new classmate breaks the board on their first day, Yoomi wants to quit taekwondo altogether. After she sees her grandmother's persistence in learning to use a computer for a video chat, however, she is galvanized to try again. Created with pencil, colored pencil, and pastel and assembled digitally, Kim's art features panels, thought bubbles, and a variety of expressive, energetic animals. Bits of Korean are spoken and written throughout, lending authenticity to this story, which will resonate with anyone who has faced down an obstacle. Back matter features a few taekwondo facts, as well as some Korean vocabulary. Ages 3-7. (Apr.)

Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes


Aram Kim
Aram Kim is a New York-based illustrator and designer who grew up in South Korea. A graduate of the School of Visual Arts, she is the author of Cat on the Bus and No Kimchi for Me!, which was a Junior Library Guild selection and a Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780823451173
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Holiday House
Publication date
April 05, 2022
Series
Yoomi, Friends, and Family
BISAC categories
JUV039050 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emotions & Feelings
JUV002050 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Cats
JUV013030 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Multigenerational
JUV039090 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | New Experience
JUV032070 - Juvenile Fiction | Sports & Recreation | Martial Arts
Library of Congress categories
Grandmothers
Picture books
Korean Americans
Tae kwon do
Perseverance (Ethics)
Junior Library Guild
Selection

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