Sumo Joe

by Mia Wenjen, Nat Iwata (Illustrator)

Overview

In this sweet and funny story, Sumo Joe and his friends enjoy pretending to be sumo wrestlers. But when his little sister wants to join their boy-only game, what should Sumo Joe do?

On Saturday mornings, Sumo Joe is a gentle big brother to his little sister. But on Saturday afternoons, he and his friends are sumo wrestlers! They tie on makeshift mawashi belts, practice drills like teppo, and compete in their homemade dohyo ring. They even observe sumo's ultimate rule: no girls allowed! But when Sumo Joe's little sister wants to join in the fun, Sumo Joe is torn between the two things he's best at—sumo, and being a big brother.

Fists, feet, and martial art forms collide in this sweet yet spirited rhyming story by author Mia Wenjen and illustrator Nat Iwata.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781620148020
Publisher:	Lee & Low Books
Publication date:	06/11/2019
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	9.60(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Mia Wenjen is a business owner and blogger of Pragmatic Mom, a popular online resource for parents and educators. As the co-founder of Multicultural Children's Book Day, Mia is passionate about representation in children's picture books. In her spare time, she can be found kickboxing or on hikes with her dog. Wenjen lives in Newtown, Massachusetts with her husband and three children. You can visit her online at pragmaticmom.com and follow her at @pragmaticmom.

Nat Iwata has worked as an art director, 3D artist, illustrator, professor, and animator on everything from video games to children's books. His debut picture book, Sumo Joe, was called "a refreshing new take on the martial arts genre" by Kirkus Reviews. Like Wat, Nat is also Japanese American, about 5' 7" tall, but lousy at basketball. He lives in Washington state with his wife and three boys, all of whom serve as an endless source of encouragement and inspiration. You can visit him online at iwataillustration.com.

Editorial Reviews

"This is a refreshing new take on the martial arts genre." — Kirkus Reviews

Best Children's Books of the Year - Bank Street College of Education

From the Publisher

2019-03-17
Friendly sibling rivalry sparks a face-off between the two Japanese martial art forms, sumo and aikido.

Spare rhyming text introduces Japanese-American Sumo Joe as a "Strong big bro, / built for sumo," who is "gentle, though." While sister Jo must go to aikido, Joe's friends arrive to "practice sumo!" His two friends, both boys of color, are quick to help tie the special belt and construct their makeshift wrestling ring with various throw pillows. They continue with "teppo," or drills, including flinging salt to purify the "dohyo," or ring. Japanese terms, printed in boldface on first occurrence, are seamlessly incorporated into the text, explaining different aspects of sumo. An author's note and glossary also provide extended cultural notes on both martial art forms, including sumo's origins in Shinto. Iwata provides a warm pastel palette with characters full of movement and personality. This is especially apparent when Jo returns from practice with her hair flying behind her. Jo is tenacious in challenging her brother despite the traditional sumo practice that women cannot enter the ring once it is purified. When Sumo Joe accepts, readers are treated to a lively sibling duel with a good-natured conclusion. With a saturation of ninja/ninjutsu books in the market, this is a refreshing new take on the martial arts genre.

Young readers will enjoy this spirited debut with insightful integration of cultural exploration. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews