Ninja Timmy

September 28, 2015
Tamm, a concept designer in the film industry, debuts with an animal fantasy, originally published in his native Sweden. Timmy, a shy gray cat with large golden eyes, and Simon, a fairly vain mink, lead a pleasant life tinkering in a loft above a bakery—until they are attacked by a gang of bullying wild boars, who steal their latest invention, an automated orange peeler. From there, Timmy and Simon get caught up in a mission to foil the plans of an evil blue bunny (a toy maker’s magical creation gone rogue), who intends to steal the laughter of all the children in Elyzandrium. Under the guidance of Alfred the toymaker and with help from a daring female feline pilot named Flores, Timmy and his crew become do-good ninjas. Stilted, long-winded narration can make for slow reading, but Tamm’s rich full-color illustrations are more successful, filling the pages with images of dramatic action sequences, intricate-looking tools and machinery, and stealthy ninja escapades. For readers who find themselves under Timmy’s sway, the closing pages set up a sequel. Ages 8–12.

September 1, 2015
Does ninja cat Timmy have what it takes to save the city's children? In a steampunk-y town peopled by humans and anthropomorphic animals, orphan cat Timmy and his ragtag group of animal friends find their newest invention stolen by the mean Gribbles, a gang of warthog cousins. Timmy's about to give up when he meets magical human toymaker Alfred, who gifts Timmy and his friends with everything they need to become ninja crime fighters. With the help of a kitty girl pilot named Flores, the friends uncover the evil plot of the Blue Rabbit, an early creation of Alfred's that's turned bad. He's stealing the laughter of children all over town in hopes of making himself a soul. When Flores is kidnapped, the animal friends spring into action to save the day. Swedish-American artist and designer Tamm's painterly, full-color illustrations are eye-catching if a bit stiff, though Flores' exaggerated eyelashes are disappointingly stereotypical. And unfortunately, his prose is twee, clumsy, and full of cliches. In this haphazard tale, underdeveloped characters are given the tools they need to succeed, but they aren't given the chance thanks to deus ex toymaker. Fortunately, the type is big, the pages are thick, and the illustrations are many, so the book may well draw readers. More empty calories than full-bodied treat. (Fantasy. 7-9)

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November 1, 2015
Grades 4-7 Four crime-fighting animal friends who dress as ninjas? No, these aren't those turtles named for famous artistsbut Casper and Jasper (pigs), Simon (a mink), and Timmy (a cat) are sure to appeal to the same action-adventure fan base. After being rescued from a nighttime peccadillo by Albert, a kindly toy makermagician, Timmy joins the fight against a gang of bullies who are kidnapping kids and taking away their ability to laugh. Albert helps design magical devices that will help the four friends in their vigilante efforts as they patrol their city's streets, where they discover a soulless, blue rabbit at the center of the scheme. Teaming up with a pretty feline female who's an ace pilot (and whom Timmy stumblingly crushes on), the quartet attempts to foil the rabbit's plans. Tamm has illustrated his series starter (originally published in Sweden) with detailed creations like motorcycle-riding chameleons and glowing, balloon-lofted airships. Sure to have broad appeal, this adventure will leave readers eager for the next volume.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)