Museum hosts Book Signing for New Children's Storybook

(NewMediaWire) - December 16, 2019 - Burbank, CA – The first children’s storybook, “The Adventures of Ichi & His Friends,” was applauded with positive reviews at a recent book signing at the Martial Arts History Museum.

“I found the book to be very refreshing and inspiring. It’s perfect for young kids and I know they will be as pleased as I am when they read this book,” says Fariborz Azhakh, a martial arts school owner.

With a two-hour long presentation and question & answer session, attendees got an insight into the writing of the book with the author, museum president Michael Matsuda.

“The Adventures of Ichi,” is not a picture book, but rather a storybook, similar in style to the Harry Potter book series and Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Although not specific to any one culture, it does lend itself to Asian influence and tradition. The primary characters are Ichi, who is similar to a samurai; Kekoa, who has a Polynesian influence, Lalo who is similar with the Filipino and Malaysian peoples, Shinji, a ninja or shinobi and Sifu, which is a Chinese term for teacher.

Set in a more rustic time period, the story of the book follows the journey of the four children as they leave their homes to study under Sifu at Mountain Temple. Each child will start their journey on their own and unite over dangerous obstacles along the way.

Although their goal is to reach Mountain Temple to begin their training, their journey actually begins in their pilgrimage to the temple. Together, they will learn to work as a team, they will learn patience, humility and if they combine their efforts, they can do most anything. Sifu, who will be their teacher, will in-turn, embrace the family he never knew he needed.

“I wrote the book to be a positive influence for young children. I loved the way Avatar: The Last Airbender had some wonderful messages in each of their episodes, I wanted to have a similar touch. It is a book about inspiration and how young people can succeed. It is a book about honoring family traditions and their own heritage. It is a book about respecting their elders and each other,” says Matsuda.

“I specifically designed the book in several ways. First, for young people 8 to 10. Secondly, I provided an index of the villages, the people they will encounter and a series of questions that will inspire discussions for book reports and thirdly, as a series. This is book one of a complete series of adventures which will one day progress into a podcast and then an animation series,” adds Matsuda.

Just as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and more represent Disneyland, the five characters, drawn by Matsuda and brought to life by artist Eleazar Del Rosario, will be the primary characters used to represent the Martial Arts History Museum.

The book is now available on Amazon at the following link:  https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Ichi-His-Friends-Mountain/dp/1709795131/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+adventures+of+ichi+and+his+friends&qid=1575847835&sr=8-1

For information about the Martial Arts History Museum, visit their website at MAmuseum.com or visit them at 2319 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA 91506 or call (818) 478-1722.