Celebrate Dan Segarra's book, 'meet' Budo the Mouse on Saturday

From a bitten roast beef sandwich to incorporating more than 45 years of martial arts experience, Dan Segarra wrote, illustrated and self-published a children’s book, “Budo the Mouse and the Quest for Courage.”

Applying the knowledge of a 600-year-old martial art and the 21st century’s artificial intelligence program, Segarra tells the story of Budo, who similar to the children he teaches at Warrior Scholar Martial Arts Academy in Lawrence, learn life lessons through karate.

Now teaching the children of people he taught when they were young, Segarra takes his readers — either young pre-teen kids or the parents of younger children — on a journey that entails bullying (something Segarra is familiar with), building self-confidence, showing courage, making friends and finding out about oneself.

“It is based on a mouse that snuck into the karate school one day (in 1986), the mouse ate my sandwich,” Segarra said. “I had put my sandwich down when I heard the mouse in the ceiling, I headed back into my office, saw him and he ran away.”

Segarra eventually caught the mouse as the rodent fell into a garbage pail and he released it outside the building. Segarra has recounted the story that subsequently moved him to write the book to all of his youthful students.

“I love teaching and I learn as much from them than they do from me,” he said, noting that he is now teaching the children of people he taught years ago, which so far include two generations, Segarra said.

Hector Garcia said he began training under Segarra during his teenage years.

“This journey instilled in me critical virtues like self-awareness, disciple and confidence, among many others, Garcia wrote in an email. “ These principles played a crucial role in helping me tackle the challenges of high and boost my performances in athletics and shape the man I am today.”

Garcia’s 7-year-old son is now learning under Segarra’s tutelage.

Budo gives life to that tale as it to sneaks into a karate studio and seeks to learn martial arts.

“Budo the mouse has quickly become a beloved figure among children at our martial arts school,” Segarra wrote in a supplement to a previous interview. “They have warmly embraced both the character and his story.”

The self-published book, which is a kick off to a series, is not only written my Segarra but also illustrated who worked as a professional artist before becoming a full-time martial arts instructor and owner of what is also known as the Five Towns Karate Center. He began at the center in 1979 and took the reins six years later.

Now a 9th degree black belt, Segarra grew up in Queens and was bullied as a kid. He began taking martial arts lessons and continued at the school he now owns.

Segarra was on the 1989 and 1995 U.S.A. teams that competed in Seoul. He is at the same level of black belt as Chuck Norris.

“I have traveled around the world, taught generations and had wonderful adventures,” Segarra said. “It has taught me perseverance. Hurricane Sandy, Covid, martial arts has helped me not just survive but overcome those challenges.”

On Saturday, Feb. 24 at 1 p.m., the academy, at 298 Lawrence Ave., Lawrence. There will be a special martial art class, a video presentation and a book signing. Budo will make a virtual appearance on Zoom to speak with the children. For more information go to BudoTheMouse.com.