Sumo Joe

My 7 year old loved this book. He was able to read most of it himself and it opened the door to some interesting conversations. Loved the illustrations!

This story provided a lot of insight for individuals unfamiliar with the world of Sumo. It was a quick, cute and informative read. The terminology was broken down and the message was clear! I would highly recommend this storybook to diversify any library!

Note: I was gifted this book to read for Multicultural Children's Book Day 2023.Sumo Joe is the story of a boy and his friends practicing their favorite hobby, sumo wrestling. It uses the language of traditional poses and rituals to highlight the sport. Sumo Joe’s younger sister Jo is also interested in sumo and wants to join in the fun, despite girls commonly not being allowed to do so. In the end, Sumo Joe invites his sister to participate and everyone has a great time.My honest review:Sumo Joe manages to educate readers young and old about the cultural traditions and language behind sumo wrestling, which many of us have only seen stereotyped in movies and TV. While the rhythm of the text can be a bit unconventional, the straightforward style makes it an easy read. Sumo Joe also beautifully weaves in the idea of creating a more gender-inclusive tradition, as brothers and sisters often have to do. The gorgeous illustrations are my favorite feature of the book - it is so awesome to see rich, colorful characters that indicate racial difference without caricatures. Small details like posters and family portraits hanging on the walls tell us a lot about this family without any words at all. In just a few pages, Sumo Joe taught me more about the art of sumo wrestling and its cultural roots than 35 years of life ever did! I am totally interested to learn more and would love a Sumo Joe series!

Sumo v Aikido living room battle is the perfect setup to spur your kid's imagination and teach life lessons. Strong diversity as different kids are included. Illustrated glossary explains new words. Lots of fun for kids, and parents too!

I read Sumo Joe to my children (ages 6 and 7), and they were engaged the whole time. This book is enjoyable to read aloud because of the bouncy, rhyming text. The charming illustrations bring the story to life. The story is fun, and it's easy to relate to both Joe and his little sister, Jo. I appreciate the helpful glossary in the back, as well as the informative author's note.

This is an entertaining story about children practicing sumo wrestling techniques in a fun and safe way.Through the author’s creative rhyming and the illustrator’s artistic talent, traditional sumo wrestling techniques are described through words and captivating images. Seeing the characters in motion is exciting—I am surprised that I immediately wanted to act out the scenes with my two-year old nephew!I appreciate the author’s easy writing style, as well her use of diversity, equality, and inclusion. My favorite character is Akido Jo; her presence is a bonus to an art form that is mostly dominated by males. The glossary is well done and includes illustrations for techniques shared in the story.The illustrations are amazing and compliment the author’s writing. The artwork is up close and personal. The images seem to pop off the pages!Everything about Sumo Joe is a winner!I give this book five stars!Disclaimer: This book was #gifted. My review is based on my honest thoughts.#ReadYourWorld

Sumo Jo by Mia Wenjen is written in a poetic, catchy sing-song style, which makes this picture book great for read-aloud and shared reading experiences. While readers may learn a bit of Sumo vocabulary by reading the words, Nat Iwata’s illustrations are colorful, and the character’s vivid expressions convey the unspoken messages of culture, tradition, and family. Read the author’s notes to capture the text’s essence fully.

I found this book to be informative and inspirational. The rhyming text and beautiful illustrations made reading this book a sensory experience. I learned a lot about the sumo sport and I know that children would really enjoy hearing and experiencing this story.This book is a true multicultural gem!