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ericasaville's review against another edition
4.0
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 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!
agudenburr's review against another edition
3.0
A great rhyming storytime book about Sumo. It uses many sumo terms and has more information at the back of the book.
backonthealex's review against another edition
4.0
It's Saturday and that means it's time for Joe to practice sumo with his friends, and time for younger sister Jo's aikido lesson. But before Jo leaves with mom, she gives a subtle look at the sumo boys, and you know that joining them is what she really wants to do. While Jo and mom are gone, Joe and his friends get ready to practice. Sumo takes place in a dohyō ring and the boys build one using throw pillows.
Once that's done, they tie on their special belts called the mawashi, practice teppo to strengthen arms and shoulders, and shiko, a stomping exercise to build strength and to get rid of any evil demons that might be hanging around in the dohyō.
But when Jo comes home, she challenges brother Joe to a match - aikido vs. sumo. But girls aren't allowed within the sacred space of the dohyō. Now he's torn between being a good big brother and following the rules. And even if they do let Jo into the ring, can younger, smaller sister beat her bigger, older brother in this male-only sumo space? Because one of those rules is that if any part of Joe steps out of the ring, he loses. What a dilemma!
Sumo Joe is a wonderful book on several levels. First, it's a playful look at family and sibling rivalry. Joe is such a kind, gentle brother towards his sister, and readers quickly realize that the match Jo challenges him to is done in the spirit of good clean fun. Most importantly, the loser doesn't stomp off sore and angry. Second, it an informative book about sumo wrestling which many of us don't really know a lot about (including myself). Debut picture book author Wengen has seamlessly woven in sumo terms so that by the end of the story, young readers are familiar enough with the new words to use them comfortably.
Picture book artist Nat Iwata used a soft pastel palette for Sumo Joe that perfectly matches the gentleness and playfulness of the story. I thought that including lots of generational family pictures in the background throughout to the story was a really nice touch.
It is a tradition in Asian homes to take off one's shoes when you enter and leave them by the door, and indeed Iwata shows everyone's shoes lined up at the front door in some pictures. These are the kinds of references that help kids understand other cultures they may not be familiar with.
As you can see from the illustration examples shown here, Wengen has written the text in short rhyming stanzas of four beats each that never falters throughout the whole book. And amazingly, she has managed to include a lot of information in these short sentences.
Back matter includes an Author's Note that gives more information about traditional sumo wrestling, and the surge of interest and support for allowing women into this sacred space. There is also Glossary of the terms used throughout the book.
You can also find an extensive Sumo Joe Teacher's Guide to download, thanks to the published, Lee & Low
Sumo Joe is a sweet, informative story and ideal for young kids who are just developing an interest in martial arts.
This book is recommended for readers age 4+
This book was provided to me by the publisher, Lee & Low
Once that's done, they tie on their special belts called the mawashi, practice teppo to strengthen arms and shoulders, and shiko, a stomping exercise to build strength and to get rid of any evil demons that might be hanging around in the dohyō.
But when Jo comes home, she challenges brother Joe to a match - aikido vs. sumo. But girls aren't allowed within the sacred space of the dohyō. Now he's torn between being a good big brother and following the rules. And even if they do let Jo into the ring, can younger, smaller sister beat her bigger, older brother in this male-only sumo space? Because one of those rules is that if any part of Joe steps out of the ring, he loses. What a dilemma!
Sumo Joe is a wonderful book on several levels. First, it's a playful look at family and sibling rivalry. Joe is such a kind, gentle brother towards his sister, and readers quickly realize that the match Jo challenges him to is done in the spirit of good clean fun. Most importantly, the loser doesn't stomp off sore and angry. Second, it an informative book about sumo wrestling which many of us don't really know a lot about (including myself). Debut picture book author Wengen has seamlessly woven in sumo terms so that by the end of the story, young readers are familiar enough with the new words to use them comfortably.
Picture book artist Nat Iwata used a soft pastel palette for Sumo Joe that perfectly matches the gentleness and playfulness of the story. I thought that including lots of generational family pictures in the background throughout to the story was a really nice touch.
It is a tradition in Asian homes to take off one's shoes when you enter and leave them by the door, and indeed Iwata shows everyone's shoes lined up at the front door in some pictures. These are the kinds of references that help kids understand other cultures they may not be familiar with.
As you can see from the illustration examples shown here, Wengen has written the text in short rhyming stanzas of four beats each that never falters throughout the whole book. And amazingly, she has managed to include a lot of information in these short sentences.
Back matter includes an Author's Note that gives more information about traditional sumo wrestling, and the surge of interest and support for allowing women into this sacred space. There is also Glossary of the terms used throughout the book.
You can also find an extensive Sumo Joe Teacher's Guide to download, thanks to the published, Lee & Low
Sumo Joe is a sweet, informative story and ideal for young kids who are just developing an interest in martial arts.
This book is recommended for readers age 4+
This book was provided to me by the publisher, Lee & Low
jehansen127's review against another edition
4.0
Cute picture book from Mia Wenjen and Nat Iwata about sumo wrestling! I learned so much from the back matter of this book. Super informative and important for those like myself who are not familiar with sumo! I can easily see using this book for story time! The pictures are engaging and it’s a great intro to sumo. The kids will get a kick out of copying the movements in this book.
I was graciously gifted this book for Multicultural Children’s Book Day from the author! #ReadYourWorld
I was graciously gifted this book for Multicultural Children’s Book Day from the author! #ReadYourWorld
wordnerd153's review against another edition
4.0
Great introduction to sumo, plus a nod to gender norms.
fernthepanda's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting and educational. I love the back matter!
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