Check out the Press Release here
Charlie and I wanted to share a new children’s book with you this morning. The Adventures of Kumakawa: The Horse That Will Try Anything (3 book series) by Ross hartshorn with illustrations by Charlotte Harding. I received a copy of in exchange for this review. Inside this post is my affiliate links. if you click on the links and make a purchase I will make a small percentage off the purchases you make.
Before I share my review with you I wanted to let you know this is a 3 book series and this is the only book my family has had the opportunity to read. I would like to get The Adventures of Kumakawa: The Horse That Will Try Anything: Today He’s Australian and The Adventures of Kumakawa: The Horse That Will Try Anything: Today It’s Ballet for Charlie for Christmas.
Before I get into the story I wish you had the opportunity to see the cover of the book which is a pale blue. There is the Horse and a Dog standing nose to nose. I would love having the Dog and also the Butterfly on the cover of the book. Did you see the Birds flying in the air?
Kumakawa is a retired racehorse. If your his friend you can call him Kuma and they live in South Wales. Which would have been another Country for Charlie to study when he was Homeschooling but we all know Charlie has graduated.
The Dog is a Sheepdog named Daisy. There owner is Helen. A little boy named Max arrived who wanted to learn to ride Horses. Max was dressed in a strange outfit to them but was his Karate uniform. The Author teaches us Keikogi or Gi which is karate and a learning lesson for children.
We learn Karate is Japanese Martial Arts and how good you are is told by the color of belt you have. You start with white belt, then orange, blue, yellow, green, brown and black for an expert. Could you imagine having a black belt.
We learn Kuma was named after a famous Japanese ballet dancer Tetsuya Kumakawa. Kuma and Diasy decide to give Karate a try and they get a white belt. We learn there are 3 basic moves in karate. No, I;m not going to tell you what they are because you need to read the book for yourself and share the story with your children.
In the meantime excuse Charlie and I while we practice the three steps allowing me to get in some much needed exercise today. We learn that Karate is a Martial Art and its all about honor and respect which we all need to do.
You begin with Rei a bow that shows respect for the class. Then we learn a punch which is called Gyakuzuki another lesson in #Homeschooling and can be added to our children’s spelling list. max has them bark and neigh which could scare people off.
Next we learn the front kick which is Maugeri in Japanese. Last was the roundhouse kick and they would get a yellow belt which would still be called Mawashigeri. Last but not least Max makes them yellow belts. Off Max went to get a cup of Tea. Can you guess what Diasy and Kuma did and why?
For more information check out there website
About the book:
Kids shouldn’t feel limited by their body size or shape, and that’s the powerful message at the center of Ross Hartshorn’s charming children’s book, The Adventures of Kumakawa: The Horse That Will Try Anything – Today It’s Karate. Inspired by a real, retired racehorse named Kumakawa and a beloved sheepdog named Daisy, this poignant story encourages young audiences to explore and embrace new experiences, and prompts them to ponder, “If a horse can learn karate, is there anything I can’t do?”
Watch Ross explain more about the animals that inspired his book here:
Meet the Author:
Ross Hartshorn emerged as a compelling storyteller with his 2021 debut, “Life is not a rehearsal,” captivating readers with his life’s ups and downs, from business to racehorse ownership. His memoir “All Square,” released the same year, poignantly captured the essence of community resilience during the lockdown.
In Autumn 2022, Hartshorn expanded his repertoire with children’s literature, introducing “The Adventures of Kumakawa: The horse that will try anything – Today It’s Karate,” illustrated by Charlotte Harding. This story, along with its sequels “Today It’s Ballet” and “Today He’s Australian,” published in 2023, encourages children to embrace new experiences, highlighting perseverance and exploration.
Simultaneously, “Kumakawa: My True Story,” co-authored with Helen McCarthy, offered an insightful view into the life of a versatile racehorse. Hartshorn’s diverse writings, ranging from personal struggles to imaginative children’s tales, showcase his versatility and connect with a wide audience, making him a notable figure in contemporary literature.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
