"To find out what a story's really about,' the Librarian said,

'you don't ask the writer. You ask the reader."


- SNOW & ROSE by Emily Winfield Martin


Monday, June 2, 2014

Review: NINJA! by Arree Chung (C)


by Arree Chung
Release date: June 3rd, 2014
Published by: Henry Holt and Co. (Macmillan)
Genre: Children's Picture Book (2yo+)
Format: Hardcover, eBook
Format read: ARC received by publisher for an honest review.






SUMMARY

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.












BOOK TRAILER



MY REVIEW

There aren't enough words to praise this book!

Super cute! Imaginative! Sweet! Adorable!

Maxwell is a ninja! His mission today is to get the cookies and milk...
a ninja must be quick, but quiet. He must be the master of danger and surprises.
Let no obstacles get in the way of accomplishing his mission.

I feel that this book can encourage small children to use their imagination not only in playtime, but to use their 'ninja skills' in everyday situations too - especially with small ones that are still learning to talk, or have a hard time using their words. Being a ninja requires patience and strategy. Max is not only trying to get the cookies, but he also has to get 'the cup' and milk... not an easy task with a little sister around. Once Max masters his ways, he decides to share what he's learned and accomplished with his younger sibling. A very sweet ending indeed.

I cannot get over adorable this book is!
The illustrations are so different and original - most picture books are expected to be cutesy with either pastel-like or monochromatic colors. NINJA isn't! It's dark and mysterious, just like a ninja. The illustrator was not afraid to go where no other children's picture book has gone - with the unexpected dark color scheme and pages. But still managed to keep the little boys adventure in a light tone in a way that a small child can relate too and not be afraid by it.

Extremely fun and light-hearted! I highly recommend this book to children ages 2 and up.
Especially if you have a little ninja on the loose... look behind you!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Arree Chung

Arree Chung makes picture books but he didn’t always do so. Once he made spreadsheets all day long and he decided that he wanted to make pictures instead. Arree learned how to draw, paint and think a little bit differently at Art Center College of Design. 

In the past decade, Arree has worked in the games industry as a designer and Art Director. Arree’s first debut picture book, “Ninja!” publishes June 3rd, 2014. When Arree is not practicing his Ninja moves, you can find him playing basketball or riding his bike.


3 comments:

  1. Ooooo! This sounds like a book my son would love.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm so glad you reviewed this! It looks adorable.

    ReplyDelete

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