Today is the 10th annual day to celebrate children’s books that showcase multicultural and diverse titles. I am excited to share a book perfect for martial arts fans – especially those interested in sumo wrestling.
SUMO JOE
by Mia Wenjen (author) and Nat Iwata (illustrator)
Picture book for ages 4-8
Published by Lee and Low 2019
Themes: Martial Arts, Sibling Relationships, customs and traditions
the story begins…
Get up early.
have to hurry,
Sumo Joe.
Strong big bro,
built for Sumo,
gentle, though.
Gentle big brother, Sumo Joe, practices sumo wrestling with his friends on Saturday morning. Told through the voice of the younger sister, Aikido Jo, we become observers of sumo wrestling as the boys practice drills and compete with each other. Aikido Jo wants to join the group but there is a problem. Girls are not allowed to participate in sumo wrestling.
Torn between tradition and his love for his sister, Sumo Joe finds a perfect solution and Aikido Jo shows how capable girls are and that size doesn’t matter in this fun story with lots of kid appeal. Expressive and bright illustrations of a diverse group of children learning and practicing together perfectly accompany the lyrical rhyming text.
This clever picture book makes the martial arts sports of sumo and aikido accessible to young athletes. Author Mia Wenjen has included a glossary explaining sumo terms as well as information about sumo traditions.
Visit Mia Wenjen’s Pragmatic Mom post to find some awesome crafts based on SUMO JOE.
And visit the Multicultural Children’s Book Day to see a link up of fabulous children’s books that enable them to #readyourworld
(Thanks to the fine folks at MCBD for sharing a digital copy of SUMO JOE with me)
Nice review! Haven’t read this one yet. But I like “Pragmatic Mom!”
It’s a super fun with lots of information woven in. Perfect for martial arts fans!
Thank you so much for your kind review of my debut picture book, Sumo Joe, and for your support of our 10th Multicultural Children’s Book Day!!!
What an amazing community you have created! Sumo Joe is an awesome book with lots of kid appeal