Nature's Ninja: Animals with Spectacular Skills

by Rebecca L. Johnson

Overview

Ninja were skilled warriors in medieval Japan. And now you can find ninja in comics, movies, and TV shows. But what about in nature? Real animals aren't anything like ninja . . . are they?

A stealthy lizard that can climb walls and hang upside down by its toes? Yes! A sea creature that defends itself with weapons that look a whole lot like throwing stars? Definitely! An insect that blends in so well with its enemies that they never even know it's there? Yes again!

Encounter geckos, sea urchins, rove beetles, and many other living things that have more in common with ninja than you might expect. And hear from the scientists who are working to understand just how these animals are able to do what they do.

Science meets martial arts in this fun and fast-paced look at some truly incredible animals.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781728477855
Publisher:	Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/01/2023
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	302,438
Product dimensions:	10.63(w) x 9.13(h) x 0.13(d)
Age Range:	10 - 11 Years

About the Author

Rebecca L. Johnson writes award-winning nonfiction for children and young adults about scientific discoveries and the scientists who make them. She hopes her books will inspire new generations of scientists by introducing readers to some of the remarkable species with whom we share the planet. Learn more at www.rebeccajohnsonbooks.com.

Editorial Reviews

"'To find these animal ninja . . . you must know where to look.' That sentence ends a two-page introduction that gives a simple history and definition of human practitioners of ninjutsu ('the art of the ninja') and invites readers to learn about animals that exhibit similar, extraordinary 'skills.' The pages that follow offer fascinating facts, appealing design, and eye-catching illustrations. Symbolic art that mimics universal directional signs is used to show nine different ninja skills of more than nine different animals. Bright ink over a dark background lists each skill in romanized Japanese, with a clear definition beneath it. Colorful, high-resolution photography captures such sights as the boiling-hot spray issuing from the bombardier beetle while equally colorful drawings are used to further illustrate the physical capabilities of geckos and collector urchins. (Readers might have an inkling about the fine hairs that allow geckos to stick to surfaces and perform remarkable releases, but who knew that the collector urchin, when threatened, sends out tiny triangular protuberances with their own sets of snapping jaws?!) The text, which is accessible without condescension, also includes information about methods for studying and documenting the animals' amazing characteristics and the names of scientists and institutions associated with the studies. More than once, the text encourages emerging scientists by noting that this research is current and ongoing—and that the more scientists learn, the more there is to learn. Arigatou gozaimasu for entertaining enlightenment!"—starred, Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

10/01/2019

Gr 4–9—Animals are compared to Japan's medieval ninja warriors in this picture book for older readers. Nine chapters follow an introduction offering background information on the practiced arts of the ninja. Each chapter features an animal with natural abilities closely aligned to a particular ninja skill and begins with the skill highlighted in a stylized text box—"CHOHO: Spying—infiltrating an enemy's camp or society without being discovered." Rove beetles have the natural ability of a choho master. Amazingly, they look, smell, and even behave like army ants, living among the well-known predators. They've even been seen eating army ant larvae! Geckos and sailfish are among the other featured creatures. In addition to a description of the animal's ninja-like skill, there is a section on each creature titled "The Science Behind the Story." Photographs and scientific graphics illustrate each comparison. Back matter is comprehensive and includes a glossary, index, and "Meet the Scientists." VERDICT Both the premise and execution of this title are intriguing. Steer older students toward this book; they will not be disappointed.—Lisa Taylor, Florida State College, Jacksonville

School Library Journal

★ 2019-07-14
"To find these animal ninja…you must know where to look."

That sentence ends a two-page introduction that gives a simple history and definition of human practitioners of ninjutsu ("the art of the ninja") and invites readers to learn about animals that exhibit similar, extraordinary "skills." The pages that follow offer fascinating facts, appealing design, and eye-catching illustrations. Symbolic art that mimics universal directional signs is used to show nine different ninja skills of more than nine different animals. Bright ink over a dark background lists each skill in romanized Japanese, with a clear definition beneath it. Colorful, high-resolution photography captures such sights as the boiling-hot spray issuing from the bombardier beetle while equally colorful drawings are used to further illustrate the physical capabilities of geckos and collector urchins. (Readers might have an inkling about the fine hairs that allow geckos to stick to surfaces and perform remarkable releases, but who knew that the collector urchin, when threatened, sends out tiny triangular protuberances with their own sets of snapping jaws?!) The text, which is accessible without condescension, also includes information about methods for studying and documenting the animals' amazing characteristics and the names of scientists and institutions associated with the studies. More than once, the text encourages emerging scientists by noting that this research is current and ongoing—and that the more scientists learn, the more there is to learn.

Arigatou gozaimasu for entertaining enlightenment! (Nonfiction. 9-14)

Kirkus Reviews