Ninja Baby- David Zeltser & Diane Goode

1. Layers - If this story was just a tale of Nina the Ninja Baby that would have been great, but the layers weaved throughout make it extra entertaining.

2. Vocabulary- I love books that use higher-level vocabulary and have my kids asking questions like, "what does obliterated mean?" Also, the illustrations help the reader infer the meaning if they are unsure.

3. Story Arc- The layers mentioned as the 1st fabulous thing really add to the satisfying story arc of Ninja Baby. The change we see in Nina from the beginning to the end is sweet, enjoyable, and believable.

4. Illustrations - I'm loving the pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations paired with the white space on each page. The colors are subtle, one might say ninja-like. 

5. An Ending with a Twist- My favorite endings are circular, but coming in a close second is an ending with a twist and this one nails it! 

Parents: You'll enjoy reading this story as much as the kids will. Easily relatable situations. Arrival of a new sibling.

Teachers: Inferring the meaning of new words using pictures and context clues. Teaching similes. Visualization using only the text.

Writers: Ninjas are a win with kids so if you can use them in your story, do it. Just remember to make sure your approach is unique. Twist endings. Adding layers to your story.