10+ Best Ninja Books for 5-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)
Are you on the hunt for the perfect bedtime adventure for your little one? Look no further than Ninja Books for 5-Year-Olds! These exciting reads are just the ticket to spark imagination and inspire playful dreams. Whether your child is a budding ninja or just loves a good action-packed story, these books are sure to be a hit. Keep reading to discover our favorite picks that will have your young reader flipping pages faster than a ninja’s kick!
Table of Contents
Fun Ninja Books for 5-Year-Olds
- Ninja Boy Goes to School by N.D. Wilson, illustrated by J.J. Harrison
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Adventure
- Synopsis: A young boy uses his ninja skills to navigate the challenges and adventures of a typical school day.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and engaging story that encourages creativity and imagination, making reading enjoyable for young children.
- Perfect for: Kids who love action and adventure, and those who dream of being a ninja.
- The Three Ninja Pigs by Corey Rosen Schwartz, illustrated by Dan Santat
- Genre(s): Fairy Tale, Humor
- Synopsis: In this twist on the classic "Three Little Pigs" tale, three pigs learn martial arts to fend off the big bad wolf.
- Why we recommend this book: This book teaches the importance of perseverance and hard work through an entertaining and humorous story.
- Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy classic stories with a fun, modern twist.
- Ninja Red Riding Hood by Corey Rosen Schwartz, illustrated by Dan Santat
- Genre(s): Fairy Tale, Adventure, Humor
- Synopsis: Red Riding Hood becomes a ninja to face off against a tricky wolf in this playful and exciting retelling of the traditional story.
- Why we recommend this book: It promotes empowerment and self-defense in a way that's accessible and fun for young children.
- Perfect for: Kids who like empowering stories and those interested in martial arts.
- Wink: The Ninja Who Wanted to be Noticed by J.C. Phillipps
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
- Synopsis: A young ninja struggles because he wants to be noticed, despite being trained to blend in.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a humorous take on the value of individuality and the importance of accepting one's unique traits.
- Perfect for: Children who feel different and are learning to embrace their individuality.
- Nighttime Ninja by Barbara DaCosta, illustrated by Ed Young
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Adventure
- Synopsis: Late at night, a young ninja embarks on a secret mission around his house.
- Why we recommend this book: The book's beautiful illustrations and mysterious storyline capture the imagination, making reading a magical experience.
- Perfect for: Young readers who love mystery and adventure, especially during bedtime.
Educational Ninja Books for 5-Year-Olds
- Ninja, Ninja, Never Stop! by Todd Tuell, illustrated by Tad Carpenter
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Action
- Synopsis: Follows a young ninja as he sneaks, creeps, and leaps around the house and yard, showcasing his skills.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Motor skills, attention to detail, imaginative play
- Why we recommend this book: It's a lively, rhythmic read that captures the energetic spirit of a young ninja in training.
- Perfect for: Active kids who love playful stories and are always on the move.
- My Grandma's a Ninja by Todd Tarpley, illustrated by Danny Chatzikonstantinou
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
- Synopsis: A young boy's grandma shows up at his soccer game as a ninja and teaches him some unexpected ninja moves.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Family bonding, creative thinking, physical activity
- Why we recommend this book: It combines humor with a heartwarming message about family connections and embracing the unexpected.
- Perfect for: Kids who enjoy funny stories and those with imaginative, lively grandparents.
- Ninja Camp by Sue Fliess, illustrated by Jen Taylor
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Adventure
- Synopsis: Join a group of young campers as they learn about becoming ninjas and discover their own inner strength.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Self-confidence, teamwork, physical fitness
- Why we recommend this book: It's an engaging story that encourages children to discover their potential and value of working with others.
- Perfect for: Young adventurers and any child interested in camps or martial arts.
- Hello Ninja by N.D. Wilson, illustrated by Forrest Dickison
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Fantasy
- Synopsis: A young ninja's adventures turn the ordinary into the extraordinary, from mealtime to bath time.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Imagination, daily routines, playful learning
- Why we recommend this book: It transforms everyday activities into exciting ninja adventures, making it fun for kids to relate to their daily routines.
- Perfect for: Preschoolers who love turning their day-to-day activities into imaginative games.
Challenging Ninja Books for 5-Year-Olds
- Ninjas Don't Bake Pumpkin Pies by Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones, illustrated by John Steven Gurney
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
- Synopsis: Young ninjas team up to protect a magical pumpkin pie recipe from falling into the wrong hands during a festive town competition.
- Why this book is challenging: This book introduces elements of fantasy and complex plot twists that require advanced comprehension skills for young readers.
- Why we recommend this book: It blends adventure with a touch of magic, sparking imagination while enhancing reading skills.
- Perfect for: Kids who enjoy fantasy and cooking, and those up for a challenging read.
- The Ninja Club Sleepover by Laura Gehl, illustrated by MacKenzie Haley
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Friendship
- Synopsis: Willa, a young ninja enthusiast, is excited to host her first sleepover with her friends who are also ninja fans, but she worries her wheelchair might limit her fun.
- Why this book is challenging: The story tackles themes of inclusivity and self-doubt, which are profound and thought-provoking for young readers.
- Why we recommend this book: It promotes understanding and acceptance, showing that everyone can be a ninja in their own way.
- Perfect for: Children learning about friendship, inclusivity, and overcoming personal challenges.
- Secret Ninja Force by Greg Farshtey
- Genre(s): Action, Adventure
- Synopsis: A team of young ninjas embarks on a thrilling quest to save their island home, using their skills, wit, and courage.
- Why this book is challenging: It features a complex storyline with multiple characters and a detailed setting that demands higher-level cognitive skills.
- Why we recommend this book: It's action-packed and encourages teamwork and strategic thinking.
- Perfect for: Young readers who love action and adventure and are ready for more intricate stories.
- Ninja in the Kitchen by Luke Flowers
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
- Synopsis: Moby Shinobi, a young ninja, tries to help out in a busy restaurant kitchen with his ninja skills, leading to some humorous mishaps.
- Why this book is challenging: The use of puns and wordplay provides a linguistic challenge that is unusual for the typical vocabulary of a 5-year-old.
- Why we recommend this book: It introduces humor through language and offers a fun way to learn about helping and the consequences of misapplied skills.
- Perfect for: Kids who enjoy cooking, humor, and stories about trying your best.
- Ninja Baby by David Zeltser, illustrated by Diane Goode
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Family
- Synopsis: From the moment she's born, Nina is a ninja baby, independent and wild, until her little brother comes along, showing skills of a zen master.
- Why this book is challenging: It explores family dynamics and the adjustment to a new sibling through the eyes of a spirited protagonist, which can be conceptually advanced for younger readers.
- Why we recommend this book: It addresses themes of sibling rivalry and love with wit and heart.
- Perfect for: Children who are new siblings or who enjoy spirited, lively characters.
Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit
Hey there! If you're looking to introduce your little ninja enthusiast to the joy of reading, here are some fun and engaging exercises tailored specifically for 5-year-olds. These activities are designed to develop good reading habits while keeping the content exciting and relevant to their interests in ninja books. Let's dive in!
- Read Together Daily
- What it is: Set aside a specific time each day to read ninja-themed books together.
- How it helps: Encourages routine and fosters a love for reading.
- Tips: Let your child pick the book to increase their interest and engagement.
- Character Role Play
- What it is: After reading, act out scenes from the book with your child taking on the role of their favorite ninja character.
- How it helps: Enhances comprehension and helps children connect with the story.
- Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the role play more exciting and vivid.
- Picture Walk
- What it is: Before reading, flip through the book and look at all the pictures, making up stories about what might happen.
- How it helps: Builds anticipation and narrative skills.
- Tips: Ask open-ended questions about the pictures to encourage your child to think creatively.
- Story Map Creation
- What it is: Draw a map or a timeline of the main events in the story after reading.
- How it helps: Helps with understanding sequence and major plot points.
- Tips: Use simple symbols or drawings to represent different parts of the story.
- Ninja Vocabulary
- What it is: Identify new words in the ninja books and create a fun ninja-themed vocabulary list.
- How it helps: Enhances language skills and helps in memorizing new words.
- Tips: Use the new words in sentences or stories about ninjas to make learning them more fun.
Incorporating these exercises into your reading routine will not only make reading time more enjoyable but also instill essential reading habits in your young ninja fan. So, grab those ninja books, and let's make reading an adventure!