• Publishers Weekly Best Illustrated Books 2012
"DaCosta debuts with a bang—or, more accurately, a whisper—in this atmospheric account of a ninja's stealthy midnight journey. It's gratifying to see Caldecott Medalist Young flex his comedic muscles, and his collages are as masterful as ever. But what makes this story so outstanding is how seriously it takes the young ninja's mission, right up until the moment his secret is revealed."
• Horn Book Book of the Week and interview with artist Ed Young! "On the surface, this is a simple story, a glimpse into the imagination of a child and the tender relationship between mother and son. Young’s art, however, perfectly pairs with the minimal text.... A spare text loaded with tension paired with evocative illustrations make this a bedtime story that will be asked for again and again." (November 2012) and recommends Nighttime Ninja as a great Halloween story: "Illustrator Ed Young’s cut-paper and cloth illustrations imbue mystery, beauty, and emotion into the story as it moves from the boy’s imagination to reality." October 2012
• New York Times Book Review "....The novice, DaCosta, in her first picture book, seems nonetheless experienced with such nighttime [ninja] apparitions." 10/14/2012
• Publishers Weekly
Nighttime
Ninja Barbara DaCosta, illus. by Ed Young. Little, Brown, $16.99 (32p) ISBN 978-0-316-20384-5. "DaCosta builds her debut on the scaffolding of the suspenseful adventure that turns out to be make-believe. Illustrators of stories like these sometimes hint at what’s coming with comic artwork, but Young’s (The House That Baba Built) collages are deadly serious as he enters fully into the boy’s fantasy....Artwork as fine as Young’s might overshadow the story, but DaCosta crafts her spare text carefully and with humor. Her ninja language tracks the boy’s actions right up to the moment he grabs a spoon. The depth of feeling Da Costa and Young give to the boy’s fantasy makes this a standout. Ages 3–6." 07/23/2012
• Booklist
Nighttime
Ninja
"....With measured pacing, careful design, and a beautifully symbiotic partnership of word and image, this enormously appealing, timeless story promises to delight preschool audiences and families alike for years to come." October 2012
• Parents Choice Recommended Book 2012
• Kirkus Reviews
"Debut picture-book author DaCosta pens the quietly suspenseful quest of a ninja on a late-night mission…to the kitchen! Succinct language full of vivid verbs describing the action sets the mood for Young’s lushly textured illustrations composed with cut paper, cloth, string and colored pencil...." 08/15/2012
• School and Library Journal
"....Young's austere, nearly abstract mixed-media collage illustrations....perfectly complement DaCosta's spare but neatly suspenseful story." September 2012
• Wall Street Journal
"....Spare in words and arresting in illustration, this picture book strikes a fine balance between tension and charm." November 22, 2012
• Shelf Awareness
"This inventive blending of imagination and the age-old routine of evading bedtime will speak to children and parents alike." November 2012
• Junior Library Guild selection Fall 2012. "While there are still plenty of cute picture books, even some of these have a little edge. (Nighttime Ninja by Barbara DaCosta, illustrated by Ed Young....)" (SLJ interview with JLG’s Susan Marston.)
• Books For Kids Blog: "A bedtime story powered by a fantasy foray ends, as all good bedtime tales must, with this little ninja tucked in for sleepy dreams. A tight text extended and illuminated by extraordinary illustrations!"
• Librarian's Quest Blog: "....The collaboration of debut author, Barbara DaCosta, with award-winning illustrator, Ed Young, places Nighttime Ninja on my list of favorite books of 2012. I can easily see this as a family bedtime favorite or another wonderful addition to titles in an Ed Young author/illustrator study. Readers will be hooked on page one with text and pictures and will sigh when the cover is closed. Don't be surprised to hear a whispered, 'Read it again.' "
Nighttime
Ninja• Parents Choice Recommended Book 2012
• Kirkus Reviews
"Debut picture-book author DaCosta pens the quietly suspenseful quest of a ninja on a late-night mission…to the kitchen! Succinct language full of vivid verbs describing the action sets the mood for Young’s lushly textured illustrations composed with cut paper, cloth, string and colored pencil...." 08/15/2012
• School and Library Journal
"....Young's austere, nearly abstract mixed-media collage illustrations....perfectly complement DaCosta's spare but neatly suspenseful story." September 2012
• Wall Street Journal
"....Spare in words and arresting in illustration, this picture book strikes a fine balance between tension and charm." November 22, 2012
• Shelf Awareness
"This inventive blending of imagination and the age-old routine of evading bedtime will speak to children and parents alike." November 2012
• Junior Library Guild selection Fall 2012. "While there are still plenty of cute picture books, even some of these have a little edge. (Nighttime Ninja by Barbara DaCosta, illustrated by Ed Young....)" (SLJ interview with JLG’s Susan Marston.)
• Books For Kids Blog: "A bedtime story powered by a fantasy foray ends, as all good bedtime tales must, with this little ninja tucked in for sleepy dreams. A tight text extended and illuminated by extraordinary illustrations!"
• Librarian's Quest Blog: "....The collaboration of debut author, Barbara DaCosta, with award-winning illustrator, Ed Young, places Nighttime Ninja on my list of favorite books of 2012. I can easily see this as a family bedtime favorite or another wonderful addition to titles in an Ed Young author/illustrator study. Readers will be hooked on page one with text and pictures and will sigh when the cover is closed. Don't be surprised to hear a whispered, 'Read it again.' "
