Ninja Claus! (Ninja! #3)

Previously seen in Ninja! and Ninja! Attack of the Claw, ninja-in-training Maxwell is feeling a bit stung that Santa Claus left him a hamster for Christmas last year, instead of the rat-eating snake that he had requested. This year, Maxwell decides to lay an elaborate trap for Santa ("Make sure you sit on this red chair," reads the letter Maxwell leaves for him), but is it possible that Santa is even sneakier and stealthier than Maxwell? Chung's exuberant mixed-media illustrations bring out the wiliness of his young ninja hero's plans and the energy that's an inherent part of Christmas Eve. Ages 4-7. Agent: Rubin Pfeffer, Rubin Pfeffer Content. (Oct.)

PreS-Gr 2--Aspiring ninja Maxwell vows to catch Santa Claus with a series of clever traps. Chung's illustrations combine traditional picture book and comic book elements; add pitch-perfect comic characterization to the mix and you have a read-aloud that kids (and adults) will put on repeat. Maxwell leaves a letter for Santa with some weighty questions ("Are elves taller than kids? Can you read minds? Is your sleigh energy renewable?"), and falls asleep waiting. When crashing noises wake Maxwell, he grabs a flashlight and his dog Brutus to invesitgate, and discovers his terrified papa trapped by hula hoops and covered in cookie crumbs! All the while, Santa (a master ninja himself) hides behind the Christmas tree. As the family sleeps, he easily evades Maxwell's traps. On Christmas morning, Maxwell finds a letter from Ninja Santa answering his previous questions and complimenting his engineering and ninja skills. He also leaves him some sneaky Santa shoes! Maxwell's closing note, promising a "big SURPRISE!" next year, will inspire giggles as readers imagine the high jinks to come. VERDICT Hilarious, action-packed, read-aloud gold. Maxwell's ninja traps will inspire young ones to engineer their own. An easy purchase for all libraries.--Shanna Kim, Los Angeles Public Library

"Hilarious, action-packed, read-aloud gold." —School Library Journal

"This funny Christmas story will be a gift to Maxwell's fans and enjoyed by children interested in the ninja craze." —Kirkus Reviews

Ninja! Attack of the Clan

"Chung (Ninja!, 2014) returns with a second comic-book-style tale about lovable, freckled-faced ninja Maxwell.... A clever, laugh-out-loud story." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"A joyful notion that kids will obviously embrace with full enthusiasm." —The Bulletin

Ninja!

"Lively and charming. . . . High-flying fun." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Laugh-out-loud fun. Prospective ninjas, take notice!" —School Library Journal, starred review

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

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

"Action-packed fun for wee little ninjas everywhere." —Booklist