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tami_provencher's review
5.0
Simply, phenomenal! Hensel & Gretel: Ninja Chicks is my favorite in this picture book series so far! In this version of the Hansel & Gretel fairy tale, Mama has been taken by the evil fox at large in their community. Hensel & Gretel see the sign advertising the Three Pigs Dojo "Get Empowered, Not Devoured" (read The 3 Ninja Pigs) and decide to be proactive in learning Ninjutsu skills in order to defend themselves and their family from the Fox. On the day Hensel & Gretel return home to find their Papa has now been taken, they set out to attempt a rescue. It
is at this point that the Hansel & Gretel fairytale structure is smoothly blended into Hensel & Gretel's tale.
The illustrations appear larger than life to match the text with large expanses of bright color and deep jewel tones like the best comics and graphic novels--for which Dan Santat was first known. The action sequence in the Fox's house--ingeniously made of cornbread--almost visibly vibrates on the page with the motion of Santat's illustrations.
This is a joyous reading experience for ANY age reader. Hensel & Gretel weaves together the best of traditional and modern storytelling in structure, language and illustration. This is a perfectly paced adventure story for classroom or home read-aloud and an independent read that will absolutely delight and tickle young readers!
is at this point that the Hansel & Gretel fairytale structure is smoothly blended into Hensel & Gretel's tale.
They trekked til they spotted a feather.
"It looks like we're on the right track!"
They kept up the chase,
dropping crumbs, just in case,
so they'd easily find their way back.
...
The forest grew twisted and tangled
as Hensel and Gretel searched on.
The light faded fast
and they noticed at last
that the trail--and the breadcrumbs--were GONE!
The illustrations appear larger than life to match the text with large expanses of bright color and deep jewel tones like the best comics and graphic novels--for which Dan Santat was first known. The action sequence in the Fox's house--ingeniously made of cornbread--almost visibly vibrates on the page with the motion of Santat's illustrations.
This is a joyous reading experience for ANY age reader. Hensel & Gretel weaves together the best of traditional and modern storytelling in structure, language and illustration. This is a perfectly paced adventure story for classroom or home read-aloud and an independent read that will absolutely delight and tickle young readers!
scostner's review
4.0
The latest title in the Book Ninjas collection features two cool chicks named Hensel and Gretel. When a vicious fox becomes a danger in the area and they lose their mother, these chicks take action. They sign up for ninjitsu lesson at the Three Pigs Dojo, where the motto is "Get empowered, not devoured." When they return home from their lessons and discover that their father is missing and there are fox prints, they know it is time to put what they have learned into action. After a long search in the forest, they arrive for the final showdown with the villain.
Obviously this is a new take on the Hansel and Gretel story. Instead of being left in the woods by their parents, they go into the forest to find their poor father. Rather than a gingerbread house, there is a house made of cornbread. The rhyming text gives the story a rhythm without being too cutesy. Readers of all ages will have fun reading phrases like, "No way, chicken tender!" or "Is that witchy fox ready for kung POW chickens?"
And as funny as the text is, Dan Santat's illustrations take it to the next level. The double-page spread of the chicks tracking their father and his abductor into the forest emphasizes how vast and dark it is as they travel through trees, over log bridges, and across rocky outcroppings. I'm not sure how he manages to get faces with beaks to show so many expressions, but you can clearly see determination, panic, or surprise in the various scenes. He also manages to convey a sense of dramatic slow-motion during the fight scenes, just like in an action shot from a martial arts movie.
Perfect for fairy tale fans, or readers or graphic novels and superhero comics - with plenty of action packed into each scene. Highly recommended for all ages.
Obviously this is a new take on the Hansel and Gretel story. Instead of being left in the woods by their parents, they go into the forest to find their poor father. Rather than a gingerbread house, there is a house made of cornbread. The rhyming text gives the story a rhythm without being too cutesy. Readers of all ages will have fun reading phrases like, "No way, chicken tender!" or "Is that witchy fox ready for kung POW chickens?"
And as funny as the text is, Dan Santat's illustrations take it to the next level. The double-page spread of the chicks tracking their father and his abductor into the forest emphasizes how vast and dark it is as they travel through trees, over log bridges, and across rocky outcroppings. I'm not sure how he manages to get faces with beaks to show so many expressions, but you can clearly see determination, panic, or surprise in the various scenes. He also manages to convey a sense of dramatic slow-motion during the fight scenes, just like in an action shot from a martial arts movie.
Perfect for fairy tale fans, or readers or graphic novels and superhero comics - with plenty of action packed into each scene. Highly recommended for all ages.
afro75's review
3.0
Great book for the preschool set! Join two karate gi wearing chickens in their quest to save their father from an unexpected dinner party. The two chicks must out wit a sly fox in this new incarnation of the Hansel and Gretel story. The illustrations are vibrant with a comic book feel to them. The rhyming words and dynamic word type really do bring the story to life! Good book for your little blackbelt!
morgarelibrare's review
4.0
Read this today to preschoolers for outreach and it was fun for spring! Very silly, but the kids loved it!
calistareads's review
4.0
What a ride and a total mix of cultural stew. This is the updated story of Hansel and Gretel with the fox in the role of the witch and the chickens in the role of the kids. It’s set in ancient China or there abouts and the story goes on.
I love the writers delight in puns with this. It gives me glee. The chickens learn Ninjutsu and become 2 fighting chickens on their way to rescue their parents.
I follow Dan Santat, and he illustrates this and it’s just his style. I love his action packed artwork with bright colors. This whole thing is quirky and just what I needed. I don’t know why they mixed all this together, but I’m glad they did. If your kids like action and some laughs, then they will love this one. This is a book I would totally have read to the nephew and I bet he would have been delighted by it.
I love the writers delight in puns with this. It gives me glee. The chickens learn Ninjutsu and become 2 fighting chickens on their way to rescue their parents.
I follow Dan Santat, and he illustrates this and it’s just his style. I love his action packed artwork with bright colors. This whole thing is quirky and just what I needed. I don’t know why they mixed all this together, but I’m glad they did. If your kids like action and some laughs, then they will love this one. This is a book I would totally have read to the nephew and I bet he would have been delighted by it.
wordnerd153's review
4.0
Perfect rhyme scheme, making this a fun read aloud, especially if comparing fairy tales.
doodles_and_books's review
3.0
3.5 stars
(I'll preface this by saying I'm taking a brief break from my usual reads because I bought a pile of books for my sister's Grade 2 classroom and decided I might as well read them)
A fun fractured fairytale with enjoyable rhyming, but just not my personal cup of tea when it comes to picture books.
(I'll preface this by saying I'm taking a brief break from my usual reads because I bought a pile of books for my sister's Grade 2 classroom and decided I might as well read them)
A fun fractured fairytale with enjoyable rhyming, but just not my personal cup of tea when it comes to picture books.
starnosedmole's review
The answer to "What picture book do I get my nephew/niece I barely know?" Hansel and Gretel retold with butt-kicking ninja chickens -- in verse!
elephant's review
4.0
This cute, silly, fun, rhyming book would be good to use with upper elementary age and middle school children to teach about rhyme schemes, figurative language and puns.
saragrochowski's review
5.0
Corey Rosen Schwartz, Rebecca J. Gomez, and Dan Santat can keep offering up these fractured fairy tales until the end of my days and I'll be content. It always takes me a couple reads to get the rhythm of these down for read aloud, but it is so much fun once it clicks! As a kid who grew up on a farm, I'm all too familiar with chickens falling prey to the sneaky fox. Not only does this book take on Hansel and Gretel, it also twists the not-so-happy ending most chickens have when confronted with a hungry fox. Dan Santat's detailed illustrations are a cherry on top.