(by Frannie Jackson pastemagazine.com 12-4-18)
The Karate Kid is getting the picture book treatment in time for its 25th anniversary, and the crane kick has never looked cuter.
The newest installment in Quirk Books’ Pop Classics series features charming illustrations from Kim Smith and revisits The Karate Kid’s iconic moments. Perfect for fans of all ages, the book tells the family-friendly story of “the unlikely friendship between a bullied boy and his karate teacher.” Here’s the scoop on the plot from the publisher:
Young Daniel moves to a new town and becomes the target of bullies from the local karate dojo Cobra Kai. Hoping to win the upcoming karate tournament, Daniel begs his neighbor Mr. Miyagi to help him train. Mr. Miyagi reluctantly agrees. But he becomes more than just Daniel’s sensei by teaching him lessons about patience, balance and hard work along the way.
“In this picture book,” Smith tells Paste, “we were hoping to show the bullying that takes place in the movie in more subtle ways by expressing it through body language. These sketches were an exploration of this. By utilizing perspective and high angles, I wanted Daniel to feel small and the Cobra Kai kids to feel imposing and menacing.”
Smith adds, “Karate Kid is a wonderful story that kids of all ages can relate to, and hopefully the picture book will inspire them to become fans of the movie.”
https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2018/12/the-karate-kid-picture-book.html?fbclid=IwAR12WfAJUC7svA7KPu4yVnk9FvNLSxeZcXvfTKtCdD4Gw_i7bOQjwDXscaY
