The text itself is sparse and is somewhat eclipsed. The mixed-media illustrations in this book are true stars, quickly capturing the attention with a thrilling adventure. Perhaps the merest bit too cluttered, they illustrate the protagonist as a sleek ninja all in black, who scales walls with grappling hooks and creeps into compounds. The story seems to pick up mid-adventure, an unusual and refreshing beginning to a picture book, where the concept of "once upon a time" seems to more firmly hold sway than than in the teen or middle-grade age groups. The illustrations become more cartoonish as the protagonist is revealed to be a child on a mission to obtain ice cream. It's a walk through the mind of a young child who tries to sneak through the darkness to claim a forbidden prize only to be caught by his mother. A fun tale with fun illustrations.

It's early yet to talk about the 2014 Caldecott, but I would not be surprised if this one is mentioned around the committee table.