Kitten Ninja

Kitten Ninja #1

by Colleen A.F. Venable, Marcie Colleen, Ellen Stubbings (Illustrator)

Fans of comics, and heartwarming stories—not to mention cats!—will love Kitten Ninja, the origin story of the incredible Cat Ninja!

Before Cat Ninja grew up and became Metro City’s greatest defender, he was tiny, adorable Kitten Ninja and he battled...much tinier foes. (Hey, everybody has to start somewhere, right?)

In this spin-off prequel to the enormously popular Epic Original Cat Ninja series, our favorite feline hero takes on everything a kitten-size ninja has to battle on the way to his heroic a sun spot that won’t stay put, an irresistible ball of yarn, and—every cat’s archenemy—snow!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Cats, Childrens, Humor, Graphic Novels Comics, Juvenile, Animals

78 pages, Hardcover

First published February 27, 2024

About the author

You might know me from such films as "Colleen's Fourth Birthday Party" and "Colleen Falls Down Over and Over Again While Ice Skating."

Fun facts!
-I have a huge connect-the-dots tattoo.
-I accidentally started an international holiday.
(See National Pancake Day or Lumberjack Day, every Sept 26)
-I once sang back-up on an album nominated for the Polka Grammy.
-I can't sing.
-When I was 18, I broke a national coed jump-rope record.

My debut YA graphic novel Kiss Number 8 was a National Book Award Longlist title, an Eisner nominee, and a Prism award finalist.

My graphic novel series Guinea Pig, Pet Shop Private Eye (illustrated by Stephanie Yue) was nominated for an Eisner for Best Publication for Kids and awarded “Best Book” recognition from Kirkus Reviews, NYPL, Bank Street, and the Junior Library Guild.

I grew up in the trees of Walden, New York….well, not very high up the trees, since I always got scared, but I did carve my name in a lot of low hanging boughs. I had an older sister, a dog, a cat, a million fish, and an imaginary pet hamster named, yup you guessed it, Hamisher. Why have an imaginary friend when you can have an imaginary friend that can fit in your pocket!

I went to Wagner College and double majored in English and Studio Art, winning the award of “biggest dork” (aka first in my class)

I love graphic novels more than I love having feet and I really do love having feet. They keep my shoes on.

Pssst My name is actually spelled Colleen AF Venable. No punctuation. My birth name was Colleen Ann Venable, but in 1994 I asked to change my middle name to Felicity, because that's the sort of thing you do when you are 14. So I started to go by Colleen AF...mostly because I was bad at typing periods. The internet either ruined my name or made it SO MUCH COOLER. You can decide.

Reviews

[The Bibliophile Doctor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Andrews McMeel publishing for this adorable ARC in exchange of an honest review.


I'm mom of a 2 years old and she enjoys her books very much. I mostly review books here for her sake coz she gets so bored so fast. This was a book she simply adored. She must have said meow hundred times over the day I read this to her.

This is too cute , too adorable. The illustrations are so bright and colourful. Kitten ninja is just love. There are three stories one is of the spot, second is of the ball of yarn and third is of the snow. This kitten is squeezy ball of yarn itself. Such a beautiful read it was.

Highly recommended for the parents and teachers.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before he was a fearless cat ninja, the brave defender and protector of Metro City, Cat Ninja used to be an adorable, playful and cute kitten Ninja. He fought foes and captured them, protecting and saving his best friend from the enemy titled The Snow.

This prequel was superbly well-written and the illustrations are amazingly beautiful. Kitten Ninja is as adorable as Cat Ninja and I loved it. It's short, sweet and charming. Totally engaging. I'd definitely recommend this.


(Thank you netgalley for the copy.)

[Staf]

Heel tof voor de jongste lezers (& their cat-loving parents & all other cat lovers)!

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is absolutely adorable graphic novel about a little kitty ninja. The book has three short stories where you get to follow Kitten ninja through his day..I especially loved Kitten ninja versus the snow.. In this story you learn that “you never leave a friend behind!”
If you love cats and comics you will enjoy this book!

Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for letting me enjoy this ARC!

[Catherine Craig (Angelic Light) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this cute comic book story about a little kitten, and his adventures in the snow helping a bird, chasing a ball of wool and with a sunny spot. It is a funny book, which is heartwarming, and it brought a smile to my face. The illustrations are fantastic, and the text is easy to read. The book is split into three stories about his three ninja adventures, which I liked. Highly recommended!

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

[Paulina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The short stories about Kitten Ninja prequel of Cat Ninja comic.
Consists of tree short humorous stories 2 of them connects.
I adored writing and art style which was utterly adorable.
Would for as book as quite young reader to read together or alone.

Thanks Net galley for digital/advanced copy.

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS WAS SO ADORABLE!!! Perfect for early readers [and all cat lovers], this is a cute children's graphic novel about a kitten who is also a Ninja and excels at naps, yarn wrangling and friend helping. Filled with excellent illustrations and fun stories, this is a book kids will go back to again and again. I loved this so much!!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Collen AF Venable, Marcie Colleen, Ellen Stubbings - Illustrator, and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Alissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 7 year old and I love this series, it perfect for kids who are just getting into reading along with those reluctant readers like my daughter. We have re read this one almost everyday and she is drawing her own kitten ninja stories now.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Netgalley Arc
This is such a cute graphic novel. In three separate stories, Kitten has to go against a spot, yarn, and snow! If you have a child that wants to start reading graphic novels, this would be a great one to start out with!

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kitten Ninja was adorable. It would be a great option for a young child. Most of the words were basic enough for a new reader, and the illustrations will keep their attention. i thought the villains were very realistic for a young cat :) thank you net galley for this cute read

[Rachel Holtzclaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

this. was. so. cute!!!!

colleen af venable where you lead i will follow

[Caroline Racke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read and reviewed by Claire: I like that the kitten lost in the first 2 stories but in the last story, he won. Would recommend to a friend.

[Eliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to epic! for letting me read this ARC through NetGalley!

Kitten Ninja
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (4/5) or 7.85/10 overall

Characters - 8
Kitten Ninja had a ton of personality and acted like a real kitten might if you put them in a ninja costume. XD

Atmosphere - 8
The atmosphere was very light and fluffy, which fit the story and art very well.

Writing - 7
The writing made sense as it was intended for a younger audience, but it certainly wasn't the most engaging and stimulating for most adults.

Plot - 8
The plot was funny and likeable. Each mini-story was short but sweet.

Intrigue - 8
I was immediately intrigued by the cover and title and had to read it.

Logic - 8
The book was logical and the character's actions made sense.

Enjoyment - 8
I enjoyed reading this book. It made me laugh and smile. It might not have had the most substance, but it was certainly cute and silly. :)

[Elizabeth Mellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC of this!

This was absolutely adorable! Kitten Ninja was up against a few silly villains; the sunny spot, a ball of yarn, and the snow. My 7 year old loved this! The art was too cute.

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much, Netgalley for the ARC!

This book was the upmost adorable comic book I’ve come across. What’s better than cats? Ninja cats! We loved how funny and charming the stories were. Would highly recommend to children ages 1-5 and to those who love cats and heroes.

Also, the artwork was absolutely adorable.

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.


A graphic novel/comic that combines cute kittens with ninjas? Of course I couldn’t say no to this one when I spotted it on Netgalley! Plus, I do love Colleen A.F. Venables work (like Katie the Catsitter and Creepy Cafetorium), so I was eager to read this one.

In this one we follow our supercute ninja kitten in some very fun adventures! The first one is The Spot, the second one is all about a Ball of Yarn, and lastly The Snow! Three wonderful short stories and all made me smile and feel warm. I loved seeing our little kitten go on these adventures, though it seems he much prefers just sleeping. Haha, I wonder if he still does that in the grown-up stories. It would be kinda funny to see him go all for battle, but then find something soft or warm and just flop asleep. Much like he does here.

I just LOVED the villains names, The Hairball, The Red Dot, The Loud Dust Eater (one way to call the vacuum cleaner and I dare bet my puppy thinks the same about that one), The Spot. All fitting for a kitten/cat! And super adorable! And it was even cuter to see how he tackled these evil villains. Like the Spot. Just tape it to the floor! That will work. Right?

I loved that the stories themselves are silent, the kitten doesn’t talk. But we do have a narrator! Who will let us know what is happening and also warns Ninja Kitten of upcoming adventures and things he should keep a watch for. Oh, and there are some cute sound effects as well!

Oh, and I love how each of the stories ended! With love and warmth.

The art was so fun, I really love the way Ninja Kitten is drawn and love his little outfit (and later his cute sweater).

All in all, this graphic novel made me laugh, made me smile, and made me wish I could have a cat myself. Just an ordinary though, though a ninja one would be fun as well. I would recommend this one to all.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Gina Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 5 year old loved it. He said, “it made me laugh! It was great!” Super cute Children’s book. A fun, delightful take at viewing your pets actions in a superhero lens.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kitten Ninja was an adorable book featuring the battles of a home's tiny defender.

Before Cat Ninja became Metro City’s fearless defender, he was a tiny Kitten Ninja battling much smaller foes. In Kitten Ninja we follow our feline hero as he takes on a sun spot that won't stay put, a ball of yarn, and even the dreaded snow!

The cover of Kitten Ninja immediately caught my attention and illustration of the cute kitten made me want to pick this book up. The illustrations are adorable and I love how bright and colorful everything is. The three stories included were all fun and I loved the antics the kitten got up to in each. The final story, about the snow storm, was my favorite in the book. Kitten Ninja befriends a bird outside its' window and helps his new friend after snow buries the bird's feeder. It was a cute story and I loved the illustrations of the kitten in his winter sweater.

Kitten Ninja is a spin-off of the Cat Ninja series by Matthew Cody which I have not previously read. This book doesn't require you to have read those books but I imagine if you already enjoyed those then you'd enjoy this book as well.

Overall Kitten Ninja was a super cute read and I would highly recommend it for readers who love cats.

**I received an advance copy of this book from Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**

[Doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

2/27/2024 Extremely cute. Full review tk at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.

2/29/2024 So I haven't yet read any of the books in the Cat Ninja series that spawned this prequel, but I'm definitely thinking of getting a bunch to add to my kids' personal library after enjoying this adorable entry!

Before he became the protector of Metro City, Cat Ninja was just a kitten, learning how to become a superhero by battling several rather commonplace, but no less powerful, foes. In this volume, Kitten Ninja takes on The Spot, The Ball Of Yarn, and The Snow. Each is a fearsome combatant, but in the grand tradition of graphic novels aimed at young readers everywhere, our hero eventually prevails.

While I found the chapter on the battle vs The Spot the most compelling -- especially since I read it while in a very nap-inclined state myself -- I do think that the best chapter was the one vs The Snow, perhaps because the stakes are higher. In that latter, Kitten Ninja is motivated by concern for his best friend, who's being unfairly victimized. It's a lovely lesson to give to children about overcoming personal physical discomfort in order to take care of those truly suffering around you.

Throughout the book, Kitten Ninja is, ofc, aided by his lovely elderly owner. It's a nice bit of representation, especially since to my eye she looks Asian, short and plump (like meeee!)

The prose is perfect for read-alongs, with plenty of gentle humor to go with the kinetic action. Ellen Stubbings does an amazing job of portraying Kitten Ninja as both a feisty superhero and a rolling ball of adorableness. As the book itself says

Of course, you can be adorable and a fierce warrior.

And I think that's a valuable lesson for little kids to learn, that it's okay to be lots of things. You don't have to be stern and harsh to be strong. You can be cute and brave, and sweet and smart, and no one gets to put you into a box. In fact, if you're a cat, you get to choose which boxes you want, when and as you please. Hmm, maybe that should be the subject for a future Kitten Ninja book. This Kitten Ninja book, however, is the perfect introductory graphic novel for youngsters who are able to read on their own and love cats and/or superheroes. Recommended.

Kitten Ninja by Colleen A.F. Venable, Marcie Colleen & Ellen Stubbings was published February 27 2024 by Andrews McMeel Publishing and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty much spinning off the Cat Ninja franchise, but immediately proving to be its own thing entirely, this is a pleasant surprise. It's not so much about the typical feline superhero and the baddies it has to best, but the nature of the cat in the first place. We start with a chapter where the narrator is trying to prove the Kitten Ninja is a tour-de-force of fighting prowess, and all the moggie is doing is sleeping instead – but every now and again it wakes up and finds an enemy to conquer. The very nature and style of that enemy I'll leave to you to discover. But when I say the second chapter, on very similar lines, is the Kitten attacking a ball of yarn, you might have some guesses.

This then is a joyful spoof as opposed to prequel – it does come before the Cat Ninja stories, of course, and it does show how the character we know might have once been, but it's an arch, satirical look at cat life rather than anything with an A-B narrative. It's a jovial, quickly read comic, nicely hitting beats for the right audience and yet something acceptable for other age groups to have a quick perusal of. Where I'd kind of sent my time with the main franchise out to retirement, if we are to get more along these lines I'd be quick to check them out – a healthy four stars.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only kitten fans will be drawn to this adorable, and yet, slightly adventurous read.

This is such a cute tale. Kitten Ninja and friends immediately win over with their wonderful characters and how they are depicted in the illustrations. There are three stories, each with a very age appropriate adventure. These hold just the right amount of tension to keep them interesting, while never leaving the simpler world. Each kitten is fun to follow and is easy to connect with. They are the kind of tales which do invite to be read more than once, and enjoyed every time.

The illustrations and text balance well and make this a lovely read for more reluctant word-friends. The main message centers around friendship and never leaving a friend behind. So, it's warming in more ways than one.

I do see this as being a favorite for those readers, who are hitting their first larger reads. I received a DRC through Edelweiss and enjoyed these kitties quite a bit.

[Jinghay (these.blank.pages) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short and adorable comic perfect for children and cat lovers of all ages! The graphic novel contains three heart-warming stories following Kitten Ninja's adventures, and we're taken along as he bravely fights his adversaries (yarn and light) and saves his friends (the little blue bird).
The cheerful art style reminds me of the kinds of comic strip series that are popular on social media right now, and honestly I'd happily read about Kitten Ninja's adventures every week if that were the case~

I hadn't realised that this book ties back to a prequel series, Cat Ninja (which follows the kitten when he's older), but I'm quite interested to check it out now. If you're looking for a short and cute story to snuggle up and read with a younger reader then consider checking this out!

Personal rating: 3/5
Age appointment rating: 5/5

— Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publishers, Andrews McMeel Publishing, for providing the eARC in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

This prequel to the Cat Ninja series will appeal to early readers. Cute illustrations and simple text follow a kitten through its day, and the kitten chases "the spot" of sunlight, battles yarn, and helps out a bird friend outside. Each story is a short, self-contained chapter, and this is great for new readers to build competence. The book can also appeal to older cat lovers.

I would recommend this book to fans of other early graphic novel series, such as the Narwhal and Jelly books by Ben Clanton. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this to fans of the original Cat Ninja series, since this book isn't just written at an earlier reading level, but also is an entirely different kind of story, focusing on cute kitten antics instead of an action-adventure plot. Some fans of Cat Ninja will enjoy this different type of story, but it's a whole different genre.

I received a free copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review.

[Jennyfer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before he was the savior of the city, Cat Ninja was.... KITTEN NINJA!

This is an adorable comic for younger readers, following Kitten Ninja through three short stories as he tries to take on The Spot, the Ball of Yarn, and The Snow. With the help his human, he perseveres in the end. Each of the stories, while standing alone, are linked through the illustrations.

The book is laid out in a clear, easy to read format, with large, very cute illustrations, and the text descriptions of the action in boxes that does not interrupt the flow of the graphics. One of my kids uses the text-to-speech features on Epic, and this book will work well with this feature.

This is an adorable book, and I love the illustration style. Perfect for young readers !

~Many thanks to NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review~

[Poulomi Sharma (_simmi_thebookworm) ❣️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Kitten Ninja" proved to be a delightful read for me, drawn in initially by my love for cats. The book features three engaging short stories that captivated my attention from start to finish. Each tale showcased a charming blend of feline prowess and ninja adventures, making it an entertaining experience. The real standout, however, was the inclusion of visually appealing illustrations that added an extra layer of charm to the narratives. In summary, "Kitten Ninja" is a good book, offering a combination of an adorable cat, ninja escapades, and visually pleasing artwork that made it a thoroughly enjoyable read.

I extend my gratitude to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for granting me access to this lovely e-ARC.

[shey · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son and I loved Kitten Ninja! It was right up his and his sister alleys as they love graphic novel/comic books. This book was a collection of tales of Ninja Kitten, the world's most helpful super cat. My favorite was "The Spot" both myself and my children giggled at the antics of that silly spot! My son said he loved the snow story as he enjoys the idea of the bird and cat being friends. The illustrations were wonderful for this style and the writing style made it easy for my 6 year old to (almost) solo read while her 10 year old brother helped with the larger words (there weren't many) making this a great little reader companion. Both my children use "epic" in school and said they would be thrilled to see more Kitten Ninja adventures.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that this is not going to be a long read...but it is going to be enjoyable. I highly recommend it for cat lovers! My youngest daughter (9 years old) read the entire book in I'd estimate 30 minutes...but she raved about it and simply loved it! That prompted me to sit down and read it as well. This book contains 3 separate stories in one.

#1 Kitten Ninja versus The Spot
#2 Kitten Ninja versus The Ball of Yarn
#3 Kitten Ninja versus The Snow

Each story is a separate and fun story...which is drawn very well and the story rolls smoothly. I think my only dream is that they had 5 stories (or at least 4) which would have gotten this book up to the 100 page mark. But if you are a cat lover/owner, this will touch you a little bit more.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kitten Ninja faces off against 3 foes in this easy graphic novel reader. First, he's up against The Spot. No matter how many times he catches the sunspot, it seems to escape again! Then he must test himself against The Ball of Yarn. And finally, The Snow is keeping a friend from food, and Kitten Ninja can't stand it.

This is a very cute and easy to read collection of little graphic novel adventures for Kitten Ninja (the young version of Cat Ninja). Most pages just have 1-2 sentences on them, the "foes" are never dangerous, and the situations are very believable for a cat. I also like that the font chosen is easy to read for kids with dyslexia or visual acuity issues. A wonderful choice for cat lovers just starting to read.

[sanju · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kitten Ninja is a lovely collection of three short stories that depicts the titular kitten going to battle against his not-so-fearsome foes. He battles The Spot, The Ball of Yarn, and The Snow by problem-solving and most importantly, showing off his ninja moves. My favorite battle was Kitten Ninja vs. The Ball of Yarn because of his inventive ways of wrangling the yarn. As a crocheter, believe me when I say Kitten Ninja is one of our bravest troops. (Yarn is my #1 enemy)
Overall, Kitten Ninja is a cute comic book, and I'd recommend it to children and adults (big children) in need of a kitten to rescue the day.

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this ARC.

[Freya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tells the story of Kitten Ninja, before he became the protector of Metro City.

This was my first Kitten Ninja book so I had no idea what to expect.

This little comic book surprised me in the best possible way! It was cute, hilarious, heartwarming and the art was really nice.

Following a kitten battling very common things and helping unexpected friends, was such a treat! I closed this comic book with a smile on my face and a happy heart.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.