Judo

Children's Literature - Barbara L. Talcroft

Coming to us from the UK is this "Know Your Sports" series for serious beginning athletes. Unlike many such series, this one includes photos and step-by-step instructions (modeled by teen judo students or judoka) for specific moves and techniques. In twelve two-page spreads, Judo first introduces readers to the sport and its history, providing tips on clothing, mats, and tying a judo belt. Other pages discuss training, stretching, and techniques of falling. Two sections are devoted to judo postures and the skills of taking hold and breaking balance through leverage points, while two more cover hip and shoulder throws. Later spreads show reaping throws (sweeping an opponent off his feet), fighting on the ground, and scoring points in contests. Pages are spacious and neatly designed, and the text is succinct. Judoka and spectators alike will appreciate a sprinkling of color photos, as well as information about champions like France's David Douillet, popular Japanese women's champion Ryoko Tamura, and British winner Craig Fallon. Especially interesting is a nineteenth-century black-and-white photo of the sport's inventor, Jigoro Kano. A final spread lists statistics on male and female champions, as well as a glossary of judo terms and a list of some appropriate websites. This series could be helpful for individual beginning judoka or used as a supplement in a dojo. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft

School Library Journal

Gr 4-8

These well-crafted books offer overviews (how long the game takes, size of the playing space, referee duties) and illustrated, simple step-by-step instructions on their respective sports. The concise, readable texts focus on simple techniques and skills, along with warm-up exercises, basic rules, and brief sidebars containing trivia and profiles of great athletes and of famous competitions. The colorful photos show a diverse group of participants, both girls and boys. Informative and enjoyable.

Children's Literature - Uma Krishnaswami

This title is part of the publisher's "Combat Sports" series (other series titles include Boxing, Tae Kwon Do, Karate, and Wrestling). The book opens with judo as the somewhat surprising common link between the X-Men movies and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, along with background material about judo as both a competitive sport and as self-defense. Next is an overview of the Japanese origin of judo, including the Kodokan Judo Schools, battles between Kodokan fighters and Totsuka or jiu-jitsu fighters, and a classic Japanese movie set during the early days of judo. Other chapters in the book discuss "the gentle way" of this ancient martial arts practice, its spread around the world, the importance of respect and discipline, the belt system in modern judo, the environment and safety practices in judo clubs and dojos, competitions both local and Olympic, and famous practitioners or judoka. Interspersed with these are chapters showing detailed instructions on the top ten judo moves, illustrated by action photographs. Sidebars offer added snippets of knowledge related to the meanings of belt colors, judo on the silver screen, and quotes from judoka from several walks of life. Back matter includes a glossary, a page of sources (books, movies, and web sites) and an index. Reviewer: Uma Krishnaswami