Any parent whose kids have ever watched this program will immediately recognize those lyrics and probably even be able to sing along to the rest of the show's theme song. My kids first discovered Ninjago for themselves maybe four or five years ago and, to be honest, their dad and I enjoy it nearly as much as they do. That's why, when my daughter recommended that I read her "Ninjago chapter books", it was easy for me to accept the challenge.
There are, to date, four books in the Lego Ninjago: Spinjitzu Brothers series, all of which are penned by author Tracey West. They are as follows:
- The Curse of the Cat-Eye Jewel
- The Lair of Tanabrax
- The Maze of the Sphinx
- The Chroma's Clutches
Each book in the series begins with our favorite ninja (Kai, Cole, Zane, Jay, Nya, and Lloyd) on official ninja business under the guidance of their master, Sensei Wu. From this framing narrative at the start of every installment, Wu encounters something that reminds him of a past adventure with his brother, Garmadon -- before Garmadon became an ultimate villain. Be it a village puppet show or his eyes playing tricks on him in an art museum, Wu has a tale to tell because, as devotees will tell you, Wu has seen some shit.
Those of us who have seen enough of the show to know what constitutes "Ninjago canon" can enjoy this prequel series that fills in the gaps of growing up as the two sons of the First Spinjitzu Master. (Holy hell, I am a nerd.) Garmadon and Wu are sent out on a journey by their father to find "a special tea plant that may help purify Garmadon" after he was bitten by a wicked snake whose venom then infected his very soul. Linked together, the books form an over-arching plot for Wu and Garmadon as they seek to find this cure-all tea, but they could certainly be read out of order.
Fun, simple, and at a maximum of 130ish pages (including pictures and large print), these are great little "brainless" reads for any adult (or child, in most cases). I have read a couple of them in a single sitting, often as I wait for something (ex: kids at the trampoline park, something to read in anticipation of a hold arriving at my local library branch, etc.). Best of all, my daughter enjoys them, and reading these allows me to share in the joy of conversing with her about something she loves.
My good friend Internet tells me that a fifth one will be released later in 2023, entitled Tea Time Terror, but Internet isn't always to be relied upon. Still, whenever Number Five comes out, there's more than a solid chance we'll read it.
