Ninja! (Ninja!, 1) - Hardcover

Chung, Arree

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0805099115 ISBN 13: 9780805099119

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), 2014

Synopsis

A little boy flexes his ninja chops in this hilariously sweet adventure, written and illustrated by debut author Arree Chung.

A ninja must be strong, courageous, and silent! He creeps through the house on a secret mission. There may be obstacles! But have no fear―a true ninja can overcome all challenges.

About this title

About the Author

Arree Chung is the author and illustrator of Ninja! and Ninja! Attack of the Clan, as well as the illustrator of How to Pee: Potty Training for Boys/Girls. Prior to writing and illustrating picture books, Arree worked at Pixar, where he learned the secret to success: loving what you do. To pursue his passion, Arree enrolled at the Art Center College of Design where he learned to draw, paint, and think differently. When Arree is not practicing his Ninja moves, you can find him playing basketball or riding his bike. He lives with his family in San Francisco, California.
www.arree.com
@arreechung

Reviews

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

Almost every kid has skulked around the house like a ninja, snuck up on unsuspecting targets, and gone unnoticed (or at least pretended to go unnoticed). This boy takes it a step farther, donning night-fighter garb and arming himself with a thick ninja stick (pool cue), an unbreakable ninja rope (jump rope), and more. Mission one: remove the obstacle of the family dog and pounce upon the sleeping dad. Mission two: enter kitchen unseen and steal milk and cookies from the little sister. Both objectives are met with stealthy success, though the latter gets him sent to his room: I am dishonored. Chung’s warm acrylics do wonders with the dim, shadowy interior of a middle-class home, alternating between dynamic full-page illustrations and comic book–like panels that detail the boy’s meticulous maneuvers. Atop this, Chung sometimes paints fiery dragon outlines that let us in on the boy’s imagination. The result can clutter the proceedings a bit, but this is nonetheless relatable, action-packed fun for wee little ninjas everywhere. Grades K-2. --Daniel Kraus

Edition details

• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0805099115
• ISBN 13: 9780805099119
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Chung Arree
• Number of pages: 40