Little Kunoichi: The Ninja Girl

Our Phinney neighbor Sanae Ishida's debut picture book stars a little ninja so adorable she might almost be a Teletubby. But that doesn't mean she can't wield a throwing star or nunchucks once she learns the power of shugyo, or "training like crazy." With lovely, wittily detailed watercolors and a goofy but powerful story, Little Kunoichi shows that oddball imagination and a warrior's discipline can fit together perfectly. (Age 3 to 7)