Crouching Tiger

Nascimbene's (First Grade Jitters) delicately drafted ink-and-watercolor artwork distinguishes this child-of-immigrants tale about Ming Da, who scorns his Chinese grandfather until Grandpa's perfectly timed martial arts kick saves a stranger from injury. That gets Ming Da's attention; he agrees to let Grandpa teach him tai chi, and when the New Year comes, the lion dance parade offers him a chance to show off his hard work to all of Chinatown. Compestine (The Runaway Wok) excels at portraying Ming Da's embarrassment ("I jammed my headphones into my ears to avoid talking to Grandpa"), though more sentimental moments may put off jaded older readers (" 'Could you teach me, please?' I asked in a low voice"). The beauty Nascimbene discovers in Ming Da's suburban world--the leaves that fall around Ming Da as he practices, parade-goers scattered like confetti, the stars that accompany Ming Da and Grandpa on the way home--echoes the beauty Ming Da eventually finds in Grandpa's tai chi poses. Readers will warm to the duo's growing friendship and the gifts that come as Ming Da allows himself to enter Grandpa's world. Ages 6-10. (Dec.)

K-Gr 2--When Vinson's grandfather visits from China, he does a weird slow dance in the backyard. It's a martial art called tai chi. The child wants to learn, but it involves a lot of standing still and meditating, and he worries that he'll never learn cool kicks and punches like they do in kung fu movies. Vinson soon becomes embarrassed by his grandfather, but he changes his mind when the man prevents a potentially harmful accident with one well-placed high kick. Vinson starts learning tai chi again, just in time for the lion dance at the Chinese New Year parade. Children will empathize with the boy's desires to do more than stand still and his frustrations at not learning how to kick, punch, and hit things. Grandfather's lessons on inner peace and patience are often met with realistic resistance. Nascimbene's watercolor and ink illustrations are at their best during the festival scenes. Each page also includes a tai chi stance. An explanatory note at the end offers more information about tai chi and other Chinese schools of martial arts.--Jennifer Rothschild, Prince George's County Memorial Library System, Oxon Hill, MD