Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2--Naughty Ninja needs a bath. As his father prepares his bath he tells the boy not to say the phrase "Naughty Ninja to the rescue," as he always rues the havoc that ensues when his son springs into action. Naughty Ninja ends up battling poisonous flies, an angry alligator, and even samurai warriors in an attempt to keep his dad out of trouble. Lines and dashes are used to show movement throughout the book. The boy's various ninja moves are captured in this manner as well. This narrative is filled with humorous dialogue between father and son. The perspective shifts about and appears to follow respective happenings, which adds a sequential element to the narrative. Drawings are done in a fun cartoon style. Eye-catching illustrations of water burst and swirl through many of the book's scenes. Children will be able to easily spot objects that contribute to the boy's action-packed and evolving interpretation of bathtime events. Important text is bolded for emphasis. VERDICT This book does a wonderful job of demonstrating how a child's imagination can turn any ordinary experience into a rollicking adventure.--Deanna Smith, Pender County Public Library, NC
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
After swinging out from the jungle after a long day of ninja-ing, Will makes his way home just in time for a bath. But as all ninjas know, danger lurks around every corner.Even naughty ninjas get hungry, but Dad says, "Pee-yew," and insists his little ninja get clean before going near a morsel. Ever the Naughty Ninja, Will follows his dad into the bathroom and immediately spies danger: Poisonous flies that have followed him from the jungle! As any parent would, his dad begs him not to say, "Ninja to the rescue," because we all know what comes after a catchphrasechaos! Through each increasingly rough rescue, Dad finds himself more and more defeated in his quest to complete bathtime, but ultimately he starts to find the infectious joy that only the ridiculousness of children can bring out in an adult. The art is bright and finds some nifty ninja perspectives that use the space well. It also places an interracial family at its center: Dad has brown skin and dark, puffy hair, and Mom is a white redhead; when out of his ninja cowl, Will looks like a slightly lighter-skinned version of his father. Kids will laugh at everything the dad is put through, and parents will knowingly nod, because we have all had nights with little ninjas soaking the bathroom floor. The book starts out a little text heavy but finds its groove quickly, reading smoothly going forward. Lots of action means it's best not to save this one for bedtime.Good fun for all little ninjas and their parents. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
