Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

For young martial arts fans seeking a lighthearted book about their hobby, Schwartz-s (Hop! Plop!) story should fit the bill. While the idea of three gi-clad pigs fighting the big bad wolf is a winner, the subtle-as-a-karate-chop moral about not quitting puts a bit of a damper on the fun. Pig One signs up for aikido (-He gained some new skills,/ but got bored with the drills-), while Pig Two goes for jujitsu (-The teacher said, -Excellent progress./ But Pig-san, you must study more.-/ Pig Two said, -No way./ Sayonara, Sensei!/ I-m ready to settle a score- -). Both lack the necessary chops when the wolf comes a-blowing. Santat-s dynamic, comic book-style spreads have a Crouching Wolf, Hidden Pig feel, especially when Pig Three (a persistent girl who has actually honed her skills) terrifies the wolf with a chop that smashes a pile of bricks. Schwartz-s irreverent verse never falters-and any book that rhymes -dojo- with -mojo- is one that-s worth a look. Ages 5-8. Agent: Kendra Marcus, BookStop Literary. Illustrator-s agent: Jodi Reamer, Writers House. (Sept.)

ALA Booklist (Sat Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2012)

This riotous rumble of a takeoff begins with three pigs o brothers and a sister ying enough to the huffy puffy wolf destroying houses in their town. So it's off to the ninja school, where the first brother takes up aikido, but he drops out in two weeks. The second brother takes jujitsu and makes good progress, but he is too impatient to keep up his lessons. Only sister pig, a karate student, becomes so skilled that she can break boards by "performing a perfect pork chop!" Anyone who knows the original story will be well aware of what comes next, but 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. Executed in Sumi brushwork on rice paper (and completed in Adobe Photoshop), the pictures have a three-dimensional feel that's great when kicks and chops are being executed. Sayonara, Mr. Wolf.

School Library Journal (Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2012)

K-Gr 2 In this fractured fairy tale, three little pigs are portrayed as frustrated siblings fed up with a wolf that loves to huff and puff and blow houses down. In an attempt to protect their homes in their Japanese village, they train at a Ninja school. As the first brother begins aikido lessons, he finds himself bored and drops out, which gives him little defense when the wolf comes to call. Pig Two attempts his skill at jujitsu but his confidence is larger than his capabilities, and he is no match for the villain. Their sister is the only one who studies well and practices until she masters karate. When the wolf arrives at her door, she settles the score and sends him running. Learning a lesson from their gutsy sister, the brothers return to their classes with more determination and success. Unlike the original tale, the pigs are given responsibility for their misfortune and a chance for improvement. The story has a clear message that success requires perseverance. The text and glossary include martial-arts terms. Santat's artwork is in manga style and has wonderful depictions of Japanese scenery and architecture. The pigs are full of motion and emotion as they train and battle with the wolf. Youngsters with an interest in martial arts and those seeking strong female characters will relish this picture book. Diane Antezzo, Ridgefield Library, CT

Horn Book (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2013)

Hoping to "get rid of that bully" (the wolf), the three little pigs study martial arts. Another inspired twist on the classic tale: Pig Three is a Miss Piggyesque girl ("Im a certified weapon, / so watch where you're steppin'"). The verse snaps, and the super-stylized art seems right for documenting the pigs' sweet (and not so sweet) moves. Glos.

Kirkus Reviews

Dedication and practice pay off," is the message these three pigs painlessly deliver. "Once upon a dangerous time," a wolf plagued a town with his huffing and puffing, so three pigs--two hogs and a sow--attend Ninja School to learn how to face him. Each studies a different martial art, but the two brothers quickly lose interest; the third pig alone earns all her belts. So when the wolf comes calling, it's no surprise when the brothers' skills are not equal to the task. "The chase carried on to their sister's. / Pig Three was outside in her gi. / ‘I'm a certified weapon, / so watch where you're steppin'. / You don't want to start up with me!' " A demonstration of her prowess is enough to send the wolf packing and the brothers back to their training. Schwartz's sophomore outing is a standout among fractured fairy tales, masterfully combining rollicking limerick verse with a solid story, neither a slave to the other. The one quibble is the "Ninja" of the title--these pigs study the martial arts of aikido, jujitsu and karate. Santat's illustrations are done with Sumi brush on rice paper and finished in Photoshop. The colors, patterns and themes nicely incorporate those of Japanese art, and the setting, with its background mountains, cherry blossoms and traditional rooftops, is firmly Japanese. Have the contact info for the local dojo handy--readers will want to try out these martial-arts styles for themselves. (glossary) (Fractured fairy tale. 5-8)