Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, my friends! I had a fabulous time at the NESCBWI conference in Springfield, Massachusetts last weekend. The keynotes were amazing…Jane Yolen, Patricia MacLachlan and Lynda Mullaly Hunt. My presentations went really well…I think folks walked away feeling they had gotten something of value. And getting to hug lots of kidlit friends was so much fun!
Today’s book is so much fun also and it’s from one of my fellow #Newin19 teammates, Mia Wenjen who hosts the fabulous Pragmatic Mom blog.
But, before we get to the review, we owe someone a book. Two weeks ago, Jodi McKay offered a copy of her newest picture book, PENCIL’S PERFECT PICTURE, and the winner is:
KATIE WILLIAMS
Congratulations, Katie. Be on the lookout for an email.
And guess what? Today’s author, Mia, is generously offering a copy of her brand-new picture book to one lucky winner…so please leave a comment for a chance to win.
SUMO JOE
Written by Mia Wenjen
Illustrated by Nat Iwata
Published by Lee & Low (2019)
Ages: 5-8
Themes: Gender equality, sibling relationships, sumo wrestling
Synopsis: From Amazon:
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.
Why I like this book:
- Text that keeps us moving with great rhythm and rhyme
- Fabulous illustrations
- Timely topic of inclusivity and girl power
And please don’t forget that the best gift to an author is for you to: buy the book, review the book, tell your friends about the book, and ask your library to add the book to their collection.
RELATED ACTIVITIES
Photo courtesy: http://www.pinkstripeysocks.com/2018/06/quirky-origami-sumo-wrestlers.html
Wow…this looks like fun…make a couple of origami sumo wrestlers. For detailed instructions: http://www.pinkstripeysocks.com/2018/06/quirky-origami-sumo-wrestlers.html
Please don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway of a copy of SUMO JOE by Mia Wenjen…and please remember that the best way to thank an author for writing a book that you love is to: buy the book, review the book, ask your library to purchase the book, tell friends about the book!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. For more wonderful reviews, please head on over to Susanna Hill’s website for Perfect Picture Book Friday.
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 
What sweet theme! And Sumo wrestlers, genius! I love the origami as the craft!
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This sounds like such a great story! I can’t wait to read. And who wouldn’t love Sumo origami!
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This sounds so cute! And yay for another rhyming book out in the world! Thanks for sharing!
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What a fun activity to go along with a genius rhymer. Congratulations to all on its release!
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Cute! Sounds like a fun read! Congratulations!
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We all know how challenging it is to break new ground in the picture book world, but I think this book manages with its sumo wrestlers. I’m heading out to find a copy of this book. And I must say that the origami wrestlers are pretty cute!
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Congrats, Mia!!! Looking forward to reading it!
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What a great book, Mia! And the related activity is so fun 🙂 Thanks Vivian!
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This book has a message I know will be heartwarming–sibling relationships like this are fun to read about. The illustrations are adorable.
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This looks fun!! Congratulations, Mia!!
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Congratulations! This sounds like such a fun book and the cover is adorable! Looking forward to reading it!
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Love how east meets west in this clever book about sibling relationships. Love the that cover and the look on the little sister’s face. Great activities.
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I’m sending the origami instructions to my wife, she’s had a stressful week and I’m hoping this might cheer up her Friday. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of this fun book!
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What a great idea…a sumo wrestler with origami!
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What fun crafts. I look forward to reading this one and seeing how Sumo Joe resolves his conflict. Thanks for featuring it, I hadn’t really seen it yet.
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This looks a fun book. Love to know how Sumo Joe works out his conflict. Now I feel like some sushi… lol.
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I know what my own brothers would have done, and it wouldn’t have been pretty. They needed this book to figure out other options beside pummeling their sister. I LOVE the origami sumos.
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Rhyming, big brothers and wrestling….what could go wrong? Looks like a timely and clever book. Thanks for posting. Sounds as if the conference was fulfilling as well!
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Sumo Joe looks great. I like picture books about sports for my children.
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Definitely a “must read” for my list. And what a great activity!
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I’ve been looking forward to this book. Looks like so much fun!
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I love reading with kids, and this sounds like a good one!
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