Ninja-rella: A Graphic Novel (Far Out Fairy Tales)

I just love this book - and actually the entire series of Far Out Fairy Tales - so nice to see this take on the classic tale - super empowering for girls! Great to see this and other books like "The Princess in Black" (although that is for a much younger audience) which shows how strong girls can be. We need a book 2!

I chose this book for struggling readers. The visual support really helped. Also, the book gave a classic fairy tale a new face.

I bought these as party favors for my daughter's American Ninja Warrior themed 8th birthday party. It was a big hit.

These books are amazing. My 8 year old daughter doesn't love reading like I did when I was her age, but with these books, she will sit and read and re-read them all. I'm very impressed with her interest in reading now.

I got a huge kick out of this cute story! (pun included) it is a refreshing twist on the old Cinderella tale, with great artwork and a happy ending.

Very, Very, easy read- more of a true comic than a book. It was suggested on the schools summer reading list for 3rd-4th grade summer but that is not accurate.

Such a fun twist on a classic bed time story

Stone Arch Books is publishing a number of short, (40 pages), graphic novels under the general series name "Far Out Fairy Tales". The books have been written by a variety of interesting authors, most of whom have some connection to the material or the genre. This one was written by Joey Comeau, which is particularly intriguing. The last book of his that I read was "Overqualified", a collection of pretend desperate cover letters which was the most politely brutal funny/sad book I've read in a long time. Comeau is also responsible for the web comic "A Softer World", which is what one would get if a postmodernist like Donald Barthelme stepped in to finish off some cartoons for Gary Larson's "Far Side". With that kind of resume, what kind of Cinderella do we get from Comeau?Well, this Cinderella isn't going to stand idly by while the world passes her. Her dream is to train herself up to become Ninja-rella and to one day serve as the Prince's personal bodyguard. This is a fairy tale heroine for a modern girl. But Comeau plays fair. He tweaks the story but stays within the traditional outlines. This isn't a different story so much as it is a different kind of Cinderella. And it works. We cheer Ninja-rella's hard work, training, independence and courage and we root for her to succeed. That's a pretty sharp way to rethink Cinderella.This is fresh and upbeat stuff. It is not cynical or edgy, and Comeau embraces the positive vibe and goes with it. This is all enhanced by the drawing, which is crisp, colorful and vaguely manga, (with big eyes, button noses and simple compositions). Just like the story telling, the art is brisk and direct.These are supposed to be books for younger readers. Indeed, the books in the series could easily be the first graphic novels a young, (7 to 10-ish), kid reads. They succeed admirably on that score. As a bonus, while they are accessible, understandable and entertaining, they are not puff pieces or lame franchise tie-ins. This is a good story, well told.(Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

Bought this for my kids, they really like them. Classic story with a twist.

Great book for early readers!!!! My daughter is just starting to enjoy reading independently and this was a great choice... She loves the style, colours and characters!!

Cute and funny!