A Triceratops Would NOT Make a Good Ninja

Dinosaur Daydreams

by Lisa Katzenberger, Steph Calvert (Illustrator)

A new ninja school just opened, and Millie the Triceratops is ready to enroll! It can't be that hard to be quiet, sneak around, and kick hard, can it? Millie might be in for quite the surprise! Discussion questions, an interactive look-and-find fact section, and dinosaur facts complete this energetic picture book from the Dinosaur Dreams series.

Genres: Picture Books

21 pages, Library Binding

Published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Villain E · Rating 2 out of 5]

Um, what? Millie the triceratops, goes to ninja school (human ninja school) but she fails at everything, often because of her size, and she ultimately gives up and moves onto the next thing.

It would be one thing if this were a bunch of hypothetical dinosaurs, but the fact that it's one named character who keeps "humorously" failing at everything feels somehow insensitive. And even if I am overthinking it and this isn't a metaphor for a specific type of person, this is still a story about someone failing with little to no positive balance.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent way to introduce kids to a new subject is to fictionalize it in a story and then slip in relevant facts unobtrusively and in a clever way. Lisa Katzenberger does this perfectly in her fun story, “Triceratops Would NOT Make a Good Ninja.” Katzenberger creates a cute and relatable character in Millie the Triceratops doing things that kids find irresistible (training to be a ninja) and tells us actual facts about this kind of dinosaur along the way, making the book perfect either for schools and libraries or a gift for any youngster wanting to be introduced to dinosaurs.

[Laurel Gale · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book is funny, charming, and educational! The story is hilarious and has a great ending. I like the message, too -- I think it shows kids that it's fun to try out new things, but we all have our unique strengths and weaknesses and it's okay if we're not the best at everything. The illustrations are fantastic, with lots of great details that kids will enjoy spotting. Plus, there are fun dinosaur facts and questions.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of dinosaurs and ninjas may enjoy this story.

Though fictional, it is set up to be used in educational settings because of the back matter, which includes activities, facts, discussion topics and a glossary. Also, the author tries to show a triceratop's likely characteristics (non-fiction).

Wonderful illustrations.

[Laura Namey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorable and witty picture book is the perfect addition to any home or classroom library. Children will laugh while discovering why being a ninja isn't really the best activity for triceratops, Millie. The best books teach while entertaining and this one does.

[Annie Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mean, what can I say? Besides the hilarity, this book has a glossary, a list of questions with clues to the answers throughout the book, and even more Triceratops facts in the back. But one of my favorite parts is Millie's (the Triceratops) resume in the beginning. Awesome book to discuss traits of dinosaurs, facts about dinosaurs, and what it means to know and play to your strengths. A lot of info packed into this book without it overwhelming the reader. Just genius!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I'm not a ninja-dino loving kid, I can see how this would appeal to one who is. Cute way to teach dino facts with humor and a loveable, unstoppable character. Great lesson in trying new things, too. The search and find at the end and the nonfiction info page are great adds.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Millie’s quest to be a ninja may be doomed from the start, but she gives it her all anyway. Sweet and funny picture book about dinosaurs and ninjas. A winning combination. Love the activities in the back matter that have readers combing back through the story to find the answers.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute picture book about Triceratops who keeps trying different activities. Most of the story is about her trying to be a Ninja- I love the pictures and the fun true facts about a Triceratops.

[Tara Luebbe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the way this book infused real dino facts into a fiction story. Good for dino lovers.

[Deirdre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought it was good to see someone not immediately be good at something even if they try.

[Emily]

Summary
This book is about Millie the Triceratops who likes to try new things. One day she comes across a school for ninjas and would love to become one. She enters the school and tries to perfect the skills it takes to become a ninja. After each lesson she realizes that maybe being a ninja is not the right thing for her. She doesn't take pity on herself because moments later she sees another thing she would love to try.

Activity
My activity I thought of would get the kids up and moving while testing to see if they were listening to what Millie had to do in ninja school. We will all stand up and practice the skills Millie had to do while in ninja school.

Troupe, T. K. (2018). A Triceratops would NOT make a good ninja. North Mankato, MN: Picture Window Books, an imprint of Capstone Press.

Citation
Katzenberger, L., & Calvert, S. (2018). A Triceratops would NOT make a good ninja. North Mankato, MN: Picture Window Books, an imprint of Capstone Press.

[Christine Turner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Personal note: Do not put in storytime kit.