Book Ninjas: Literacy Event Kit
Best Users: Public Librarians, School Librarians, Educators, Martial Arts Studios, Home Learning
Best Audience: Children Grades 00-05
ABOUT THE EVENT KIT
Building on the movement by national schools, libraries and martial arts studios to use this collection of martial-arts themed fractured fairy tales to reinforce reading, practice. and simple ninja-themed fun, Curious City, author Corey Rosen Schwartz and a team of martial arts educators have built the literacy project — Book Ninjas!
BOOK NINJAS Supports School & Libraries
Book Ninjas offers schools and libraries:
– Free downloadable ready-to-use activities
– Guide to partnering with martial arts studios for school & library programming
– Monthly “Secret Book Ninjas Prize Pack” giveaway to libraries and dojos on the mailing list.
Explore More!
BOOK NINJAS Supports Martial Arts Studios
Book Ninjas offers martial arts studios and Dojos:
– Free downloadable ready-to-use activities
– Guide to partnering schools & libraries
– Monthly “Secret Book Ninjas Prize Pack” giveaway to libraries and dojos on the mailing list.
Explore More!
BOOK NINJAS Supports Readers
Book Ninjas offers students and other readers:
– Monthly “Secret Book Ninjas Prize Pack” giveaway to kids who tell us (privacy protected) about their reading or martial arts goals or accomplishments.
Explore More!
ABOUT THE BOOKS
Hensel and Gretel: Ninja Chicks
By Corey Rosen Schwartz, Rebecca J. Gomez
Illustrated by Dan Santat
Published by Penguin Young Readers Group
ISBN-13: 9780399176265
Age Range: 5 – 8 Years
These ninja chicks are anything but chicken!
When Hensel and Gretel’s dad gets snatched by a fox, the sisters put their ninja skills to work to track him down before he can be stir-fried.
But are these two little chicks ready to take on a dark tangled forest, a tricky house made of corn bread, and an even trickier fox?
This plucky pair isn’t giving up without a fight! Kiya!
“The classic fairy tale gets a fowl-focused, martial-arts makeover in this jaunty picture book… Schwartz and Gomez’s lively limericks tell the story in a swift, kicky rhythm, while Santat’s dynamic, warm-toned, and action-filled illustrations throw a nice nod to kung-fu movies.”
—Booklist
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“No helpless, victimized protagonists here—only empowered poultry, ready to make it their mission to “rescue, protect, and defend.”
—School Library Journal
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“The wolf from the first two of Schwartz and Santat’s ninja fairy tales (The Three Ninja Pigs, 2012, etc.) has finally learned to live peacefully—but the fox has yet to learn that lesson…[A] raucous retelling.”
—Kirkus Reviews
Ninja Red Riding Hood
By Corey Rosen Schwartz
Illustrated by Dan Santat
Published by Penguin Young Readers Group
ISBN-13: 9780399163548
Age Range: 5 – 8 Years
Wolf just can’t catch a break! Ever since the three little pigs started teaching everyone Ninja skills, huffing and puffing just hasn’t been enough to scare up a good meal.
His craving for meat sends Wolf to classes at the dojo, and soon he’s ready to try out his new moves. A little girl and her tiny granny should be easy targets—right?
Not if Little Red has anything to say about it! Kiya!
Schwartz and Santat deliver a powerful karate chop of a picture book. . . As silly a trip to grandma’s house as there ever was.”
—Kirkus Reviews
.
“This action-packed fractured fairy tale is sure to excite young readers. . . . Children will gravitate to the rhyming text and exciting illustrations. . . . A fun read-aloud, but also great for independent reading.”
—School Library Journal
.
“Schwartz’s comic verse scans beautifully, tripping through the (bamboo) forest to grandma’s house with vigor and attitude. Santat’s artwork . . . divides the action into diagonal panels, maximizing the roundhouse impact.”
—Booklist
The Three Ninja Pigs
By Corey Rosen Schwartz
Illustrated by Dan Santat
Published by Penguin Young Readers Group
ISBN-13: 9780399255144
Age Range: 5 – 8 Years
Practice makes perfect in this kick-butt fractured fairy tale.
Why does this wolf think he can come to town and blow all the houses down? These three little pigs just aren’t going to take it from that bully anymore! The first starts aikido lessons—-he’ll make mincemeat out of that wolf! His brother learns a little jujitsu—he’ll chop that guy to pieces!
But when the wolf actually appears, it turns out these two pigs aren’t quite ready after all. Good thing their sister has been training every day to master some serious karate moves that save the day. KIYA!
Corey Rosen Schwartz serves up a fun combination of smart-aleck dialogue and tongue-in-cheek rhymes that’ll have kids howling, and rising star Dan Santat’s spunky illustrations are sure to pack a punch!
“For young martial arts fans seeking a lighthearted book about their hobby, Schwartz’s story should fit the bill. . . . The idea of three gi-clad pigs fighting the big bad wolf is a winner.”
—Publishers Weekly
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“A standout among fractured fairy tales, masterfully combining rollicking limerick verse with a solid story. . . . Have the contact info for the local dojo handy—readers will want to try out these martial-arts styles for themselves.”
—Kirkus Reviews
.
“This standout version has so much motion, action, and laughs, kids will feel like they’re hearing it for the first time. Schwartz’s clever rhyming text flows nicely, and illustrator Santat (who holds a black belt in shotokan) really gets into things.”
—Booklist
