Landon's First Taekwon-Do Lesson


Children - Picture Book
24 Pages
Reviewed on 04/04/2019
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Victor Teran is a Marine Corps combat veteran (1996-2004). Served in the Federal Government (2004-2013). Has honorably served our nation for over seventeen years.

A New Yorker, living in New Jersey. His children's book, "Landon's First Taekwon-Do Lesson", has been awarded the five star seal, and awarded the Finalist Award in the Children - Action category at the International Book Award Contest.

In addition, Victor Teran is a Two-time Martial Arts Hall of Fame inductee; a seventh degree black belt and operates his own martial arts and fitness studio in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Our mission is to create children's book that will impact the young minds in our communities in a very positive way. Books that are filled with vivid illustrations, great imagination, passion, and empowering messages.

Stay creative, use your imagination and enjoy the writing process...

    Book Review

Reviewed by Samantha Coville for Readers' Favorite

Landon is excited about his first Taekwon-Do lesson and there's nothing to worry about. With great classmates to do exercises with him and his own dad as his teacher, Landon will have a blast! He kicks and punches and, once he's finally ready, it's his turn to break a board with a loud "KIAAA!" Now he can rest up, do his practices and stretches, and prepare for his next Taekwon-Do lesson which will hopefully be very soon.

Victor Teran's picture book for children, titled Landon's First Taekwon-Do Lesson, is an absolute delight to read. I appreciate a children's book that not only provides fun pictures and a cute, pleasant story line but inspires children to ask questions and learn. Within these pages kids will learn about different types of kicks, proper etiquette in a dojo, and why you start with a white belt, which even as an adult I found interesting. There's a lot of great content in here and Teran ends it with a sweet passage to kids teaching them to respect their teachers, which I think is an especially valuable lesson that can often be overlooked when the excitement of learning Taekwon-Do is in the forefront of their minds.

This picture book would be a perfect gift to a child or grandchild who is about to start martial arts lessons. Or you can simply use this as a bedtime story by itself. Landon's First Taekwon-Do Lesson is a home run on all fronts from art to writing and I think you'll find this a worthy addition to any child's library.

Sarah Stuart

I chose to read Landon’s First Taekwon-Do Lesson for two reasons. I have young people in my life, which gives me a purpose – finding the very best entertaining books to educate and motivate them - and because I was curious. Obviously, I had heard of martial arts, but Taekwon-Do specifically was a name I had never come across before. Picture books tend to attract very young children, and the language used is sufficiently complicated to mean it must be read by an adult, but it is a great description of a new activity for a parent and child to share! Buy it for the children in your life, but make sure there is a Taekwon-Do class in your area first because Victor Teran makes it sound like a “must-do” sport, preferably now.

Landon’s First Taekwon-Do Lesson takes him from his morning arrival at the venue to the revelation at the end that the instructor is also his father. This is a marvellous way of including a large number of exercises and skills that culminate in Landon yelling “Kiaaa!” and breaking a wooden board with a kick, although I imagine weeks of practise would actually be needed. There is great emphasis on discipline, concentration, respect for self and others, and that will build confidence. Fascinated, I Googled Taekwon-Do, and I discovered a demonstration was given at the Seoul Games in 1988, and it became an official Olympic Medal Sport in 2000. Landon’s First Taekwon-Do Lesson by Victor Teran is an engaging five-star addition to any child’s library.

Jack Magnus

Landon's First Taekwon-Do Lesson is a children’s educational/sport picture book written by Victor Teran. While most kids have a relatively vague idea of what martial arts and Taekwon-Do are all about, based on the TV shows and movies they’ve seen, few of them actually know what taking Taekwon-Do lessons would be like. In this inspirational book, young readers follow Landon as he takes his first lesson, which begins with learning the opening ritual of bowing and how to tie his belt. Readers also learn why new practitioners get white belts as opposed to any of the other colors. Landon and his classmates watch as their teacher demonstrates kicks and punches. Then it’s their turn to do exercises, including jumping jacks and jumping rope, and to learn kicks and punches. What most kids want to know about are the actual kicks and punches -- and, yes, the magical feat of breaking a board with one’s foot. Will Landon really be able to do all these things?

Landon's First Taekwon-Do Lesson offers caregivers an ideal opening for introducing exercise and fitness to young readers and listeners. Sometimes kids can feel overwhelmed at the idea of trying something new and strange, such as participating in a martial arts class. Watching Landon as he does just that can ease those fears by making Taekwon-Do seem familiar, like something they know about. This book answers questions kids and their parents may have about martial arts in general and Taekwon-Do in particular in considering the benefits of such training for a young child. The illustrations work quite well with the story and as Landon has his first lesson. While an excellent choice for story time, this book is also written for use as a primer by new readers. Landon's First Taekwon-Do Lesson is most highly recommended.

Barbara Fanson

Landon’s First Taekwon-Do Lesson is a children’s picture book, which explains how Taekwon-Do teaches us discipline, concentration, and respect for others and ourselves. The sport also builds confidence. Author Victor Teran has created an inspiring book about the sport of Taekwon-Do. This is a Korean martial art, known for its emphasis on head-height kicks, jumping and spinning kicks, and fast kicking techniques. Readers follow a young boy named Landon through his first class. Landon introduces children and adults to some of the kicks, rolls, and exercises, giving them a great workout. We also find out how to tie the first white belt. Landon explains the routines of a typical class from the beginning to the end.

The illustrations in Landon’s First Taekwon-Do Lesson are very well done. It’s not easy to draw people—especially active ones. The illustrations have realistic blends and tones and help to draw the reader into the book. I like the variety of artwork—some are full bleed whereas others have a beige paint stroke in the background. Landon’s First Taekwon-Do Lesson is a colorful book demonstrating the techniques of this Korean sport. Victor Teran explores some of the components of an introductory class. This book is a must-have for children or parents who are contemplating taking up the sport of Taekwon-Do. Don’t be surprised if this book gets your children rolling, kicking and taking part in the class. Landon’s First Taekwon-Do Lesson will inspire children to get active and probably increase enrollments in classes.

Mamta Madhavan

Landon's First Taekwon-Do Lesson by Victor Teran takes young readers into Landon's first day of Taekwon-Do training. His first lesson is how to bow and show respect to his teacher, other kids in the class, and parents. After that they all line up and learn how to put on the belt. The white belt signifies that of being a beginner and purity. In class, his instructor teaches them how to kick and punch, and they do all types of exercises. Landon's favorite exercises are the Bear Crawl and Jumping Jacks, and they learn how to flip and fall. His teacher is always there to correct them, and he makes them practice kicking and punching. Taekwon-Do teaches discipline, concentration, self respect, and helps in building confidence.

The book takes readers through three-year-old Landon's interest in martial arts. The lessons he learns through Taekwon-Do will inspire many readers to take up Taekwon-Do, and try their hand at learning new things, and being disciplined. The illustrations are lively and vivid and they bring the story and the characters to life. The story also focuses on self-defense and fitness, and will make readers disciplined and positive. Books like this are encouraging, motivating, and inspiring for readers to learn new things that teach them to be positive and disciplined. This book is good for tutors and parents to use for storytelling because of the concept and positive messages. It offers good motivation for all children to learn martial arts and self defense, and to be fit, confident, and disciplined.