Ninja! (Ninja! #1)

High-flying fun to be read aloud or independently.

Action-packed fun for wee little ninjas everywhere.

Readers will applaud Maxwell's over-the-top ninja antics and giggle as he takes his unsuspecting family by surprise.

The ninja wannabe who wreaks stealthy havoc on his or her household is now a staple of the children's bookshelf. But Arree, a designer making his picture book debut, shows there's still plenty of kick left in the premise, thanks to a bold visual style and a keen sense of comic timing. With a dark and saturated palette, long shadows, and graphic-novel framings, Arree hits the sweet spot between sinister and spoof, while showcasing his hero in a repertoire of covert action poses worthy of the most loose-jointed action figure. As the little ninja ambushes his napping father and delights his baby sister by stealing cookies and milk from the kitchen table (until she becomes collateral damage during his escape), the narration is parceled out in hushed, breathless sound bites: "Against all odds, / he must believe/ in his ability/ to rebound/ and overcome/ all challenges." Lines like that are made for dramatic, movie trailer-style readalouds, but children will get just as much pleasure out of the young ninja's DIY getup and the faux gravity of the obstacles he surmounts. Ages 4-7. (June)

Copyright 2014 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

K-Gr 2--Readers riding high on the ninja craze will find this treatise on how to be a successful one quite enlightening. For instance, ninjas need special equipment--a thick stick, silent footwear, sticky gloves, etc. A ninja sneaks, creeps, and is fast on his feet. He will face danger (look out, family pets), show courage, and, most importantly, master the art of SURPRISE! Readers follow the main character through comic-book-style panels as he moves with stealthlike precision, covertly navigating each room and the furniture, to fulfill his mission of capturing his prize: his sister's snack. Silent as a spider, this cartoonish little guy is regaled in makeshift black ninja fashion (where is Dad's necktie?), with only his wide eyes (and several teeth) visible to his enemies. Acrylic paints and mixed media enhance the comic-strip portrayal of a modern ninja on his quest. Heavy, dark tones are enhanced with bursts of color, such as brightly hued, fiery dragon images in keeping with the theme. Oversize heads and exaggerated expressions round out the laugh-out-loud fun. Prospective ninjas, take notice!--Carol Connor, Cincinnati Public Schools, OH

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"A ninja's full array of skills - stealth, surprise, agility - are on display in this picture book." —BCCB