Fly Guy's Ninja Christmas
(Fly Guy #16)

Coming up with an easy-to-read, original Christmas story with a funny plot is a tall order, but the addition of the popular ninja theme sends this one soaring. (Early reader. 4-8)

Copyright 2016 Kirkus Reviews, LLC Used with permission.

Arnold's big-eyed hero's 16th outing is a Christmas tale, and over this book's three chapters Fly Guy learns what Christmas is all about ("Prezentzz!"), sends Santa careening into the Christmas tree with some well-placed karate moves ("Fly Guy saw a big stranger in the house! He had to save the day"), and manages to set things right before his young human owner, Buzz, wakes up. As usual, Arnold's punchy sentences are well-targeted to beginning readers, and his scribble-textured cartoons play up the story's physical comedy as much as possible--Buzz's parents look with confusion at the bedraggled tree on Christmas morning, though Buzz is too busy opening presents to notice. Fly Guy's zzz-laden exclamations, his chaotic encounter with Santa, and plenty of "ninja action" to go around should keep this bug's fans happy. Ages 4-7. Agent: Faith Hamlin, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. (Sept.)

PreS-Gr 1--A big-eyed boy named Buzz and his lively (and talkative) pet fly, Fly Guy, are back in this zany Christmas Eve adventure. While feasting on milk and cookies, Fly Guy, having just heard a ninja bedtime story, channels his inner ninja and valiantly protects the house from a late-night intruder in a red suit. When Fly Guy discovers he has attacked Santa, he helps set things straight and even gets some gift assistance from the jolly old elf himself. VERDICT Fans of this incredibly popular easy reader series will thoroughly enjoy the seasonal antics of this installment, especially with its sparkly cover and ninja action.--Madeline J. Bryant, Los Angeles Public Library