Ninja, Ninja, Never Stop!

January 27, 2014
A ninja wannabe is spooked by a big dog and has a tough time fending off Granny’s kisses, but he finds an easy mark in his adoring younger brother—until he destroys his sibling’s block tower with a “Ninja kick,/ Ninja chop!” The unseen powers that be call a halt (“Ninja, Ninja, WOULD YOU STOP?”), reconciliation is forged, and the ninja discovers that his victim is, in reality, an apt pupil. First-time author Tuell uses short, staccato rhymes to convey the stealth and surprise that is a ninja’s stock-in-trade, but the narration is so literal (“Ninja small/ Ninja large./ Ninja duck,/ Ninja charge”) that’s it’s almost unnecessary, given Carpenter’s (Zoom! Zoom!) traffic-light palette (except for the ninja, of course—he’s all in black) and bold graphics, a style that seems to draw on both contemporary animation and decorative design. The story doesn’t always leap and lunge forward like its hero—despite all the action, the “Ninja this, Ninja that” phrasings get a tad repetitive—but there’s still enough to quicken pulse of most schoolyard shinobi. Ages 2–5.

March 15, 2014
Dressed in black and ready for action, a young ninja shows off his skills--which would be more impressive if he did not initially use them to antagonize. Tuell uses chopped (forgive the pun) rhyming phrases perfect for young ears and new readers as a redheaded ninja practices his stealthy skills: "Hip, hop, slide... / ...flip, flop, kick. // Little Ninja, / very quick." But a yellow-haired younger brother is the unhappy target of all the ninja's nefarious missions. His balloon is taken away, his chocolate-chip cookie stolen and his castle of building blocks knocked down. Finally, a frustrated cry of "NINJA, NINJA, / WOULD YOU STOP?" results in an unconvincingly instantaneous change of heart. The following spread shows the siblings happily rebuilding. It seems the story has come to a close, but a page turn reveals the ninja playing outside and about to dive into a pile of autumn leaves--where a pair of pale blue eyes peeks out. With his triumphant ambush of the ninja, the younger brother clearly enjoys the comeuppance. All ends well as the final pages show both brothers planning and scheming as a "NINJA TEAM!" Bright primary hues add an energetic yet retro feel to Carpenter's illustrations. Although a bit slim on story, still a good choice for mischievous preschoolers with an interest in the martial arts. (Picture book. 3-5)

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May 1, 2014

PreS-Gr 1-A boy wears a ninja mask and stealthily ducks, chops, kicks, and darts through his home. Along the way, readers meet his younger brother, who is unimpressed by his sibling's antics. The story is told through short phrases in big black text: "Ninja run, /Ninja chop./Ninja, ninja, /never stop!" The blocky, bold illustrations and quickly paced narrative combine to evoke satisfying comic-book action. For those already obsessed with ninjas, this may be a wholesome alternative to more violent options. However, though the child is a tame warrior, his aggressive moves-chopping, kicking, and even blocking a kiss from grandma-may turn off some parents.-Nora Clancy, Teachers College Community School, New York City

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