The Karate Kid is getting the picture book treatment in time for its 35th 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.
We’re thrilled to share an exclusive first look at the cover and page sketches ahead of the book’s May 7th, 2019 release.
“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.”
You can click on the sketches to enlarge them.
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.”
While you wait for The Karate Kid’s release, we suggest browsing the previous five books in the Pop Classics series (like the Buffy the Vampire Slayer one we featured in September).
