Mosquitoes can't bite ninjas

Jordan P. Novak

Book - 2017

Mosquitoes are sneaky and quick and can bite all kinds of other people, but they are no match for a ninja.

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Subjects
Genres
Picture books
Published
New York : Bloomsbury 2017.
Language
English
Main Author
Jordan P. Novak (author)
Physical Description
1 volume (unpaged) : color illustrations ; 29 cm
ISBN
9781681192154
Contents unavailable.
Review by Booklist Review

A young ninja explains why ninjas don't get bitten by mosquitoes in this ninja-versus-mosquito exposé. While all other humans seem to be fair game for mosquitoes, the bloodsucking insect is no match for the ninja's quick, stealthy movements. In true Wile E. Coyote-Road Runner fashion, the mosquito moves in for the attack just as the ninja quickly sidesteps, causing the mosquito to crash into an object just beyond the recently vacated space. With eye-catching, brightly colored ink drawings featuring simple, cartoon-style figures that are big enough for all to view clearly, this is naturally appealing for audiences of any size. Full-page spreads are gracefully balanced with equally appealing spot art, the text is minimal with five words or less on most pages, and ample action is involved with all the sneaking and quick movement. The ending offers a little twist while mosquitoes can't bite ninjas, the same can't be said for ninjas biting mosquitoes! and this would be great fun for a read-aloud.--Enos, Randall Copyright 2017 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

Mosquitoes are sneaky, quick, persistent-and no match for debut talent Novak's kid ninja. Moving calmly and stealthily through a summery park landscape, her young warrior skillfully dodges the bites that afflict lesser mortals, then catches its insect nemesis with chopsticks made from twigs while maintaining a perfect lotus pose. The ninja has the upper hand when it comes to character, too: unlike mosquitos, "Ninjas don't bite people," notes Novak, as her ninja instructs a younger sibling. "They learn not to when they're baby ninjas." This is more of an extended skit than a story (at one point, the mosquito looks directly at readers and shushes them as it moves in for the bite), and mosquito bites may be no laughing matter to many parents these days. Still, Novak's minimalist text shows admirable restraint, and her ninja is a comically commanding character, with expressive, saucer eyes (the only feature not wrapped in black) reminiscent of a silent film star. Flat, saturated colors and large-scale cartooning give the book the feel of an oversize comic. Ages 2-5. Agent: Jennifer Rofé, Andrea Brown Literary. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review

PreS-Gr 1-With a simple and straightforward story line, Novak's work features digital cartoon artwork boldly showing that mosquitoes are no match for ninjas. The pesky bugs bite all kinds of people in a succession of images: swimmers, chefs, "old ladies with blue hair," babies, but not ninjas. Ninjas are sneakier and quicker than their would-be attackers. They learn not to bite when they are babies. However, mosquitoes don't count on ninjas being hungrier than they are! While eating at a picnic, a smiling ninja is shown biting into a mosquito stuck in the jelly on his sandwich-a hilarious and gross twist. Novak's art is clean and includes small details to delight independent readers, while the patterning of text makes this title ideal for sharing aloud. VERDICT A justifiable purchase for libraries where readers can't get enough ninja tales.-Rachel Zuffa, Racine Public Library, WI © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review

An omniscient narrator notes that mosquitoes bite everyone but ninjas, who are simply quicker and sneakier. A kid in ninja attire is on hand to demonstrate the ninja's athletic and mental superiority. But there's some seriously (and hilariously) non-ninja-like behavior exhibited in the cartoony digitally colored ink drawings when the ninja vanquishes a mosquito via sandwich: Who says ninjas can't bite mosquitoes? (c) Copyright 2018. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.