Sumo Opposites

Praise for Sanae Ishida's Little Kunoichi, the Ninja Girl:

"Ishida cleverly and drolly promotes the virtues of hard work, imagination, and play. There is much to intrigue both genders, from silly jokes and pink dragons to swordplay and cunning [schemes]. Beautiful, vivid pops of color--at once both gentle and vibrant--fill the spreads. The lovely paint-on-paper illustrations have a winning honesty and whimsy. From the text to the artwork, everything about Little Kunoichi's life and culture is made to feel special. This thoughtfulness extends to the backmatter, as a concluding page explains Japanese words and cultural references. Stunning artwork, full of warmth and pizazz, presents a lovable heroine who will win hearts with her perseverance and humor." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Ishida's lovely watercolor illustrations stand out and add charm and depth to this playful tale. There is humor to be found hidden in the pictures, and children will be able to pour over them, taking in detail, for a long time. The end contains notes titled "Did you know?" that cover various aspects of Japanese culture that can be found throughout the book, including information about words in the story (like Kunoichi), games, clothing, and ninjas. It is refreshing to see a young girl ninja instead of the male ninjas so often portrayed in picture books. The tale's message of practice does not always have to equal perfection will resonate with young readers. VERDICT: A fun title with great appeal." --School Library Journal