In the deepest depths of Japan, high in the hills of Hokkaido, were two mighty mountains. The Mountain of the Tiger’s Claw was steep and stony, covered in rocky ridges and crumbling cliffs.
The Mountain of the Dragon’s Tooth was tall and twisty, filled with tangled trees and craggy caves.
In the Edo Period, when the shogun ruled Japan, these were the mountains of Bushido, home of the ninja and the samurai.
The serious samurai and the scheming ninja both claim to be the best. They cannot agree so a contest is held, a contest to win the ultimate prize: the Golden Egg. There are rules to be followed, but both sides are determined to win, and rules are not going to get in their way. What follows is a wild battle full of hot custard and exploding puffer fish. And insults and outrage. Black and white illustrations appear on every opening. Added extras include a glossary, samurai battle dress and more.
Never was there such a battle between brothers! ‘Samurai vs Ninja’ offers a feast of ridiculousness, at full volume, as they battle for the Golden Egg. The brothers may be opposites but they both are sure they are superior. The neat and tidy samurai cannot believe the scruffy, silly ninja are a real threat, but the latter make up for their scruffiness with excessive cunning. Newly independent readers will revel in this silliness.
Samurai vs Ninja: The Battle for the Golden Egg by Nick Falk & Tony Flowers Random House 2015 ISBN: 9780857986054
review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller