Kids Karate Workbook featured on Karate Cafe podcast
The Karate Cafe podcast recently featured the Kids’ Karate Workbook and author Didi Goodman, in an hour-long interview about the book, how it came to be, and various topics related to teaching and training in martial arts.
Karate Cafe was founded five years ago to broadcast the kind of after-workout discussions martial arts enthusiasts love to have — talking about anything and everything martial arts, and continuing the conversation till all hours through an on-line forum.
For the recent podcast, Episode #66, co-hosts Gene Myers of Auburn, NY, and Paul Wilson of Dallas, TX, had read the book carefully, and both had plenty of good things to say about it. One thing both hosts remarked on is how the book is not style-specific, but succeeds in spanning many different kicking/punching arts, from taekwondo to various styles of karate. Gene is a yondan (fourth degree black belt) and instructor in Chibana-ha Shorin-ryu karate, and also studies Two-Circle Jujitsu and Hakutsuru (White Crane) Kenpo. Paul holds a yondan in Shoryin-ryu Kenshin Kan, and is founder and head instructor of White Rock Kenshin Kan. Paul has also studied Tai Chi, Wing Chun, Aikido, Jiu-Jutsu, and Escrima.
Gene noted that, in addition to being a great book for students and parents, The Kids Karate Workbook is also a useful guide for instructors who teach kids. He himself had used it to find new ways to explain things, and come up with new activities and training ideas. Both Gene and Paul remarked on the book’s straightforward style of explanation–clear enough for kids (without talking down to them), but also very readable for adults. They also praised the quality and clarity of Linda Nikaya’s illustrations (over 200 of them!) for conveying the techniques explained in the text.
To hear the full interview, visit http://www.karatecafe.com/ — click on ‘podcast’ and listen to Episode 66. And while you’re there, check out all the other good stuff on the Karate Cafe site!
Explore posts in the same categories: Book Review, kids karate book, martial arts for kids, Martial arts instructionTags: books for ages 5 & up, children's martial arts book, how to teach kids, karate for kids, karate kids' book, martial arts instructor, taekwondo for kids, training drills for kids, young martial artist
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The Kids' Karate Workbook 
December 6, 2010 at 6:40 am
Didi,
I’m listening to the interview now…and I think you did an outstanding job of not only representing the strengths of the book, but also effectively explaining your evolution as a martial artist and as a teacher of children.
The middle section that covered issues specific to children’s training from an instructor standpoint, (effective techniques,child black-belts) was outstanding!
I’m deeply impressed. I know Didi will -love- hearing this (ironic tone), but you really need to consider a companion podcast to KKW. 🙂
December 10, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Thanks for your kind words, Chris.
–hmmm, a podcast? that’s actually a good idea, tho’ I’m not sure where I’m going to find the time…